Physics & Astronomy Spring 2019 Speaker Series- Matthew Robbins

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The Department of Physics & Astronomy

Presents

Matthew Robbins

Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Waterloo

Bose-Einstein Condensates as Gravitational Wave Detectors

Tuesday January 29th, 2019

1:40 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. in D632.

 

With the recent direct observation of gravitational waves, a new avenue of observing the Universe has become available. As a result, much effort is being devoted to the design of new detectors sensitive to different gravitational wave sources. In this talk, I will review the physics behind gravitational waves and explain the current method of detection. I will then discuss how it might be possible to use ultra-cold atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate to detect high-frequency gravitational waves. Using a Bose-Einstein condensate as a gravitational wave detector is currently limited at lower frequencies by methods in quantum optics and damping at higher frequencies. I will show that future improvements in experimental techniques can make Bose-Einstein condensates competitive detectors for gravitational waves of astrophysical and/or cosmological origin.

 

Everyone Welcome

Room or Area: 
D632

Contact:

Catherine Drenth | catherine.drenth@uleth.ca | (403) 329-2280 | uleth.ca/artsci/physics-astronomy

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