CGCA Seminar – Usha Raut

Prof. Usha Raut, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Can LIGO be Relevant for High Energy Physics?

There have been spectacular advances by LIGO, and other gravitational wave detectors in recent years. But an obvious limitation is that gravitational wave detectors currently in operation mostly deal with frequencies below 10 kHz. At the same time, it is generally accepted that there could be very promising physics still to be discovered at higher frequency scales of the gravitational wave spectrum. This can be understood better when we consider the vast frequency ranges that have been discovered for the electromagnetic spectrum and the incredibly useful applications that have been found for high frequency x-rays and gamma rays.

Therefore, a major goal of this presentation is to get a dialogue started on the possibility of a LIGO expansion to high and ultra-high frequencies of the gravitational wave spectrum within a laboratory setting, without necessarily relying on astrophysical or cosmological sources.

The CGCA Friday Seminar Series is hosted by the Center for Gravitation, Cosmology & Astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. These seminars cover a broad number of topics related to the Center’s research areas. Talk titles and abstracts will be posted when available.