Investigations in Gravitational Radiation

Lead Research Organisation: University of the West of Scotland
Department Name: School of Engineering

Abstract

Einstein's General Relativity predicts that dynamical systems in strong gravitational fields will emit vast amounts of energy in the form of gravitational waves (GW). These are ripples in the very fabric of spacetime that travel from their sources at the speed of light, carrying information about physical processes responsible for their emission. They are among the most elusive signals from the deepest reaches in the Universe. Experiments aimed at detecting them have been in development for several decades, and are now reaching sensitivities where detection is expected within a few years.
The worldwide network of interferometric detectors includes the American advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (aLIGO), the French-Italian-Dutch-Polish advanced Virgo and the German-UK GEO600 that are being enhanced with a new detector (KAGRA) under construction in Japan. The former detectors have all reached sensitivities close to their design goals and have taken the most sensitive data to date. Cooperation amongst different projects has enabled continuous data acquisition, with sensitivity to a wide range of sources and phenomena, over most of the sky. Modelling GW sources has allowed deeper searches and data from LIGO, Virgo, and GEO have increased our understanding of astronomical phenomena. For example, we have built accurate models to describe the dynamics of spinning black hole binaries for improving efficiency of detection and accuracy of parameter estimation, initiated studies on distinguishing models of the formation and evolution of compact binaries and supernovae, ruled out merging neutron star binary as progenitor of the gamma ray burst (GRB) GRB070201, and shown that less than 1% of the Crab pulsar's radiated power is in GW.
We are now entering a new era as advanced detectors begin their first phase of operation and within a few years will, we expect, routinely observe GW. The aLIGO detectors are based on the quasi-monolithic silica suspension concept developed in the UK for GEO600 and on the high power lasers developed by our German colleagues in GEO600. The AdV detector also uses a variant of the silica suspension technology. Further, KAGRA is being built with input on cryogenic bonding technology from the UK groups.
The consortium groups have initiated and led searches for astronomical sources, thanks to funding support received since first data taking runs began 12 years ago. Key ingredients of several searches (accurate waveforms models, geometric formulation of data analysis to optimise searches, algorithms to search for generic bursts, Bayesian search and inference techniques) were developed at Cardiff and Glasgow.
We propose a programme that leads to full exploitation of data from aLIGO and AdV, building on the analysis of data from the most recent LIGO/Virgo science runs and from GEO600 while the advanced detectors were under construction. In particular, we will refine waveform models and carry out deep and wide parameter space searches for coalescing binaries, GW emitted in coincidence with GRBs and supernovae, and continuous signals from rotating neutron stars.
In parallel, we propose essential detector R&D. Detector sensitivity is mainly limited by thermal noise associated with the substrates of the mirrors, their reflective coatings, and their suspension elements, as well as by noise resulting from the quantum nature of the light used in sensing. Our research is targeted towards making innovative improvements in these areas, essential to maximize the astrophysical potential of GW observatories. We have major responsibilities for the silica suspensions in aLIGO, both in the US and for a possible 3rd aLIGO detector in India, and in the development of enhancements and upgrades to the aLIGO detectors in the areas of mirror coatings for low thermal noise, silicon substrates, room temperature and cryogenic suspensions and improved interferometer topologies to combat quantum noise.

Planned Impact

The consortium has a strong and extensive track record in working with industry, in public outreach and schoolteacher CPD, which will continue under the proposed work. Beneficiaries will include the optics industry eg companies such as Gooch and Housego (enhancing capability in the area of manufacture of optical components), and such as Gas Sensing Solutions via development of custom optical filters for medical applications. Beneficiaries will also include those working in the sectors of energy/security via the application of MEMS gravimeters. The consortium has transferred technical knowledge and will further do so to help company competitiveness and success, all feeding back into the UK economy. The UK economy will further benefit through the spinning off of new companies arising from the research - based on a combination of the experience of the consortium members eg those at UWS who have already spun-off four companies and are in the midst of spinning off two others - and younger members at Glasgow and Sheffield who are heading to spin off their first company or license out their technology.
We anticipate research developments, spinning off from the gravitational wave work to contribute to the grand challenge areas of health and wellbeing via developments of software algorithms which can help with removal of artifacts in scanning medical imaging devices.
More globally, as a spin-off from the gravitational waves work at Cardiff a Data Innovation Institute has been established to conduct fundamental research into the aspects of managing, analysing and interpreting massive volumes of textual and numerical information. This will benefit projects a wide-ranging spectrum of disciplines including social, biological, life and engineering sciences. For example, in the biological and life sciences by extracting information from data sets without compromising privacy and confidentiality, and interpreting large data sets into reliable and understandable mathematical models.
Public outreach involving television, radio, science festivals, masterclasses and public lectures feature strongly in our present and proposed programmes and the legacy of the effort we have devoted to celebrate the international year of light - such as the development of a laser harp - fit well with the wider public outreach work we undertake in collaboration with the LIGO Scientific Collaboration on the physics of neutron stars, black holes and the Universe as a whole.
Working with the Scottish government and Education Scotland members of the consortium will build on previous work contributing strongly to the curriculum for physics in Scotland by extending provision of CPD for schoolteachers in Scotland, producing videos and other material helping them to tackle the challenges introduced by the more interdisciplinary nature of the new school qualifications, and this support is very transportable to be used throughout the UK.
The wide range of impact provided by the scale of our programme is excellent for the training of early career researchers and graduate students and we aim to ensure that all our young scientists have experience in these areas, enabling them to have access to a wide range of career opportunities.

Publications

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Description ALUK 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Department UK Advanced LIGO Project (ALUK)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Enabling computational infrastructure for analysing data from Advanced LIGO.
Collaborator Contribution Data analysis on the computational infrastructure provided by us.
Impact Research papers on the analysis of data from LIGO detectors.
 
Description ALUK 
Organisation University of Glasgow
Department UK Advanced LIGO Project (ALUK)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The UK Advanced LIGO Project (ALUK) involves transfer of the multiple stage / monolithic silica suspension technology developed for the GEO 600 detector to the LIGO detectors based in the U.S. Along with transfer of enhanced interferometric techniques this will create Advanced LIGO (aLIGO). We have provided all the main suspension systems for the three Advanced LIGO gravitational wave detectors. These complex mechanical systems suspend the core optical components, i.e. mirrors and beam-splitters, which form the interferometer at the heart of each detector. In particular we developed and then provided the ultra-low-dissipation, fused silica suspension technology that enables Advanced LIGO to have excellent sensitivity at low frequencies, plus all the associated production and characterisation equipment necessary to manufacture, install and maintain the suspensions. We provide continuing support for the assembly, characterisation, commissioning and operation of the suspensions and related detector technology.
Collaborator Contribution Membership of the ALUK enabled the associated project to be completed. Intellectual input, and design, procurement and manufacturing effort was shared among the partners. A memorandum of understanding signed by LIGO provides for access to gravitational wave data from aLIGO. The aims of the ALUK collaboration are to design and build detector components, and to assist with their installation and commissioning, and with the operation of the resulting aLIGO detectors. Collaborators provided design input to many subsystems of the project, expertise in procurement and manufacturing of precision electronic and mechanical components, and also project management.
Impact Philip Leverhulme Prize RCUK Fellowship Post-doctoral Fellowship EC Framework 7 Infrastructures program International Joint Project Award scheme Travel grant RCUK Science Bridges RCUK Science Bridges Seedcorn grant Research Merit Award JISC Grant SUPA Studentship Science in Society Fellowship RSE/Scottish Executive Personal Research Fellowship MP FS AH MB SR Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2008 Appearance on Radio 4 programme "In our time" Appearance on BBC One Countryfile Regular visits to local schools Public lectures at Science Centres and Science Festivals Events for International Year of Astronomy 2009 Lectures to amateur astronomical societies Meet the Scientist @ Glasgow Science Centre Science @ the Scottish Parliament Astronomy's New Messengers Icarus at the Edge of Time CPD Training for schoolteachers ScienceFace Scottish Science Advisory Council Technology Development Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for technology applications Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for research Fused silica suspension fibres for application in technology Fused silica suspension fibres for gravitational wave detectors Bayesian Techniques in precision optical sensing Bayesian Techniques in gravitational wave data analysis Amplitude or arbitrary phase sideband optical cavity probes Technology Development Diffractively coupled high finesse optical cavities Silicon Carbide bonding Berlin 2009 GWADW 2009 Amaldi 2009 RAS NAM 2009 GWADW 2009 RAS NAM 2008 Texas 2008 Moscow 2008 Schuster Colloquium Elizabeth Spreadbury Lecture RSE Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize Lectureship Wolfson Research Merit Award Tannahill Lecture and Medal Fellow ISGRGI FRSE (1) FInstP (1) FRAS (1) FRSE (2) Max-Planck-Society FRAS (2) History and Development of Knowledge IOP Nuclear and Particle Physics Divisional Conference Advanced Detector Workshop Kyoto LISA Symposium Stanford Optical Fibre Sensors Edinburgh Advanced Detector Workshop Florida Gravitational Wave Bursts meeting Mexico ILIAS Dresden IoP NPPD conference Glasgow 12th Marcel Grossman meeting Paris Lomonosov conference Moscow Advanced Detector Workshop Florida GR19 Meeting Mexico LISA International Symposium Stanford OECD Global Science Forum India IAU Rio de Janeiro Amaldi NY Fujihara Seminar Tokyo OECD Global Science Forum Cracow NEB X111 Thessaloniki New Worlds Portugal PASCOS 07 London LEOS Montreal XX1X Spanish Relativity Meeting Mallorca Rencontres de Moriond Italy Texas Symposium Heidelberg Aspera Workshop Paris IoP HEPP and AP Annual Meeting Frontiers in Optics, OSA, San Jose Amaldi NY Fujiwara Foundation Seminar Japan Advanced Detector Workshop Florida IoP Astroparticle meeting Oxford Cosmo 07 Sussex Aspera Workshop Paris Workshop on Charging Issues MIT IoP NPPD Annual conference Surrey RAS ordinary meeting London ILIAS Italy IAU General Assembly Prague NPPD Conference Glasgow Statistical Challenges Penn State Amaldi student talk Visiting Professorship Jena STFC Particle Astrophysics Advisory panel Physical and Engineering Committee of ESF SSAC Chair GWIC Chair STFC Panels Royal Society Research Grants Panel Aspera/ApPEC Science Advisory Committee Trustee RSE RSE Fellowship Committee IoP Awards Committee Chair LIGO Election & Membership GWIC Deputy Chair PPAN RSE Grants Committee RSE Sectional Committee Stanford-Scotland Photonics GEO Executive Committee FP7 ET Design Study Member STFC Science Committee PPAN GWIC Roadmap committee STFC Oversight Committee Zeplin III Aspera/ApPEC Peer Review Committee Governing Council FP6 ILIAS Aspera/ApPEC Roadmap Committee Advanced Detector committee LSC Publication Policy committee LSC LSC CW Group co-Chair reelected SUPA Astro theme leader LSC CW Group co-chair LSC Detection Committee LSC Data Analysis Council FRSE Aspen Center for Physics 2008 Aspen Center for Physics 2011 Advanced Detectors Workshop Kyoto Cosmic Co-Motion Queensland SAMSI North Carolina Center for Astrostatistics Penn State RAS NAM Llandudno Cosmology and Machine Learning UCL ILIAS Dresden PF PhD FB PhD KC Ugrad LO Ugrad RD Ugrad LM Ugrad LMac Ugrad AB Ugrad EWB Ugrad DF PhD ST Staff BL Staff HW PhD KB RA SF Staff KS staff LSF staff ZP Ugrad DH PhD RU Ugrad NH Ugrad MC Ugrad SL Ugrad NG Ugrad CS PhD OB PhD OB PhD MB PhD EJ Ugrad RM Ugrad RW Ugrad SJ Ugrad SL Ugrad BL Staff BG Ugrad AP PhD PS staff VM staff LG Staff CC PhD SZ Ugrad NM PhD MJ staff AG PhD FGC PhD
 
Description CCR - Centre for Coating Research (Moores Foundation funded, led by Stanford University) 
Organisation Stanford University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Prof Stuart Reid is the international advisor on this project.
Collaborator Contribution Through the LIGO Scientific Collaboration structure, this collaboration acts as a two-way platform for driving technological developments required for the laser mirror coatings in future gravitational wave detectors.
Impact Joint papers.
Start Year 2017
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation Cardiff University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU)
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation Max Planck Society
Department Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation National Institute for Subatomic Physics Nikhef
Country Netherlands 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation Russian ET Consortium
Country Russian Federation 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation University of Birmingham
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation University of Warsaw
Department Polish ET Consortium
Country Poland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description ET-R&D collaboration 
Organisation University of the West of Scotland
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are contributing experimental and modelling expertise to three of the working groups (WG) in this project. In WG1 we will develop methods of parameter estimation for transient signals detected by ET, through application of our existing expertise in gravitational wave data analysis. In WG3 we will develop apparatus for measuring the birefringence of coated silicon samples and apply our expertise in finite element modelling to assist in the interpretation of cryogenic birefringence measurements carried out in collaboration with Hannover and Jena. In WG4 we will carry out studies and simulations of sensing and control issues for ET and carry out detailed modelling of the quantum noise and optical configuration.
Collaborator Contribution The aim of this project is to carry out essential collaborative research and development on key out-standing topics of the technical design of the Einstein Telescope, a 3rd generation underground gravitational wave detector. The three working groups we are participating in aim to study the scientific potential of ET, investigate key optical properties of silicon mirrors and study the advanced interferometer control systems required for ET. Each of these areas requires close collaboration with our European partners and the combination of the facilities and expertise of the participating groups. This will be facilitated by regular teleconferences, meetings and research visits between us and our partners, ensuring effective management of the joint projects and regular exchange of idea and results. Participation in this project provides opportunities for us to continue to contribute strongly to the technical development of ET and ensures that we continue to be an integral part of future developments in the field of gravitational wave detection in Europe.
Impact TBC - activity started last month
Start Year 2013
 
Description GEO600 
Organisation GEO collaboration
Country Global 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have provided fused silica suspensions for the GEO 600 gravitational wave detector. These complex mechanical systems suspend the core optical components, i.e. mirrors and beam-splitters, which form the interferometer at the heart of each detector. We have also contributed to almost every other area of detector development, construction, installation and operation, and also to analysis of the resulting data. Examples include contributions to: detector topology and layout; interferometer sensing and control; digital control sub-systems; radio-frequency electro-optic modulation equipment; efficient photo-detection; seismic isolation; seismic monitoring; feed-forward seismic sensing and control; detector supervisory control infrastructure; detector calibration systems; low-level data collection and processing algorithms and systems; laser stabilisation and monitoring; environmental monitoring; data searches for continuous signals (pulsars) and data searches for burst signals (black hole formation).
Collaborator Contribution The GEO600 team collaborates with the GW groups in the USA (LIGO), in France/Italy (Virgo) and in Japan (TAMA300). As a member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) and the Virgo Collaboration, GEO600 has performed several long-term data runs together with the other gravitational wave detectors, in the search for the first observations. Financial support for the GEO project has been supplied by the State of Lower Saxony, the Max Planck Society, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Volkswagen Foundation, and the Federal Republic of Germany. Personnel costs are supplied by the Max Planck Society and the Leibniz University Hannover, running costs by the Max Planck Society Membership of the GEO is core to our research. It provides access to gravitational wave data, opportunities to contribute to instrument upgrades, training for our graduate students and PDRAs, and is the first destination for many of our technology developments. Membership of GEO was a step towards membership of the LSC (q.v.). Collaborators operate the GEO 600 detector to produce data. They archive this and enable us to access it for analysis and carry out joint analysis with us. Collaborators host our equipment at the detector, which we built jointly with them. Through exchange visits and regular meetings there is exchange of ideas on all aspects of gravitational wave detector design.
Impact Philip Leverhulme Prize RCUK Fellowship Post-doctoral Fellowship EC Framework 7 Infrastructures program International Joint Project Award scheme Travel grant RCUK Science Bridges RCUK Science Bridges Seedcorn grant Research Merit Award JISC Grant SUPA Studentship Science in Society Fellowship RSE/Scottish Executive Personal Research Fellowship MP FS AH MB SR Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2008 Appearance on Radio 4 programme "In our time" Appearance on BBC One Countryfile Regular visits to local schools Public lectures at Science Centres and Science Festivals Events for International Year of Astronomy 2009 Lectures to amateur astronomical societies Meet the Scientist @ Glasgow Science Centre Science @ the Scottish Parliament Astronomy's New Messengers Icarus at the Edge of Time CPD Training for schoolteachers ScienceFace Scottish Science Advisory Council Technology Development Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for technology applications Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for research Fused silica suspension fibres for application in technology Fused silica suspension fibres for gravitational wave detectors Bayesian Techniques in precision optical sensing Bayesian Techniques in gravitational wave data analysis Amplitude or arbitrary phase sideband optical cavity probes Diffractively coupled high finesse optical cavities Silicon Carbide bonding Berlin 2009 GWADW 2009 Amaldi 2009 RAS NAM 2009 GWADW 2009 RAS NAM 2008 Texas 2008 Moscow 2008 Schuster Colloquium Elizabeth Spreadbury Lecture RSE Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize Lectureship Wolfson Research Merit Award Tannahill Lecture and Medal Fellow ISGRGI FRSE (1) FInstP (1) FRAS (1) FRSE (2) Max-Planck-Society FRAS (2) History and Development of Knowledge IOP Nuclear and Particle Physics Divisional Conference Advanced Detector Workshop Kyoto LISA Symposium Stanford Advanced Detector Workshop Florida Gravitational Wave Bursts meeting Mexico ILIAS Dresden IoP NPPD conference Glasgow 12th Marcel Grossman meeting Paris Lomonosov conference Moscow Advanced Detector Workshop Florida GR19 Meeting Mexico LISA International Symposium Stanford OECD Global Science Forum India IAU Rio de Janeiro Amaldi NY Fujihara Seminar Tokyo OECD Global Science Forum Cracow NEB X111 Thessaloniki New Worlds Portugal PASCOS 07 London LEOS Montreal XX1X Spanish Relativity Meeting Mallorca Rencontres de Moriond Italy Texas Symposium Heidelberg Aspera Workshop Paris IoP HEPP and AP Annual Meeting Frontiers in Optics, OSA, San Jose Amaldi NY Fujiwara Foundation Seminar Japan Advanced Detector Workshop Florida IoP Astroparticle meeting Oxford Cosmo 07 Sussex Aspera Workshop Paris Workshop on Charging Issues MIT IoP NPPD Annual conference Surrey RAS ordinary meeting London ILIAS Italy IAU General Assembly Prague NPPD Conference Glasgow Statistical Challenges Penn State Amaldi student talk Visiting Professorship Jena STFC Particle Astrophysics Advisory panel Physical and Engineering Committee of ESF SSAC Chair GWIC Chair STFC Panels Royal Society Research Grants Panel Aspera/ApPEC Science Advisory Committee Trustee RSE RSE Fellowship Committee IoP Awards Committee Chair LIGO Election & Membership GWIC Deputy Chair PPAN RSE Grants Committee RSE Sectional Committee Stanford-Scotland Photonics GEO Executive Committee FP7 ET Design Study Member STFC Science Committee PPAN GWIC Roadmap committee STFC Oversight Committee Zeplin III Aspera/ApPEC Peer Review Committee Governing Council FP6 ILIAS Aspera/ApPEC Roadmap Committee Advanced Detector committee LSC Publication Policy committee LSC LSC CW Group co-Chair reelected SUPA Astro theme leader LSC CW Group co-chair LSC Detection Committee LSC Data Analysis Council FRSE Aspen Center for Physics 2008 Aspen Center for Physics 2011 Advanced Detectors Workshop Kyoto Cosmic Co-Motion Queensland SAMSI North Carolina Center for Astrostatistics Penn State RAS NAM Llandudno Cosmology and Machine Learning UCL ILIAS Dresden PF PhD FB PhD KC Ugrad LO Ugrad RD Ugrad LM Ugrad LMac Ugrad AB Ugrad EWB Ugrad DF PhD ST Staff BL Staff HW PhD KB RA SF Staff KS staff LSF staff ZP Ugrad DH PhD RU Ugrad NH Ugrad MC Ugrad SL Ugrad NG Ugrad CS PhD OB PhD OB PhD MB PhD EJ Ugrad RM Ugrad RW Ugrad SJ Ugrad SL Ugrad BL Staff BG Ugrad AP PhD PS staff VM staff LG Staff CC PhD SZ Ugrad NM PhD MJ staff AG PhD FGC PhD
 
Description LSC 
Organisation LIGO Scientific Collaboration
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The LSC carries out the science of the LIGO Observatories, located in Hanford, Washington and Livingston, Louisiana as well as that of the GEO600 detector in Hannover, Germany. Our collaboration is organized around three general areas of research: analysis of LIGO and GEO data searching for gravitational waves from astrophysical sources, detector operations and characterization, and development of future large scale gravitational wave detectors. As evidenced by our outputs that emerge from this collaboration, we contribute strongly to these three areas. In particular we develop low-noise suspension technology and design new optical techniques for the detectors. We also contribute strongly to data analysis particularly in the searches for pulsars and "ringing down" of newly formed black holes. One of our most significant contributions in the area of data analysis has been in the application of Bayesian techniques to parameter estimation in gravitational wave searches.
Collaborator Contribution The LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) is a group of scientists seeking to make the first direct detection of gravitational waves, use them to explore the fundamental physics of gravity, and develop the emerging field of gravitational wave science as a tool of astronomical discovery. The LSC works toward this goal through research on, and development of techniques for, gravitational wave detection; and the development, commissioning and exploitation of gravitational wave detectors. Membership of the LSC fundamentally enables our research. It provides access to gravitational wave data, opportunities to contribute to instrument upgrades, and training for our graduate students, and is the primary locus for application of our technology developments. As the World-leading collaboration in the field membership of the LSC is vital to our ongoing research. Collaborators operate the four LSC detectors to produce gravitational wave data. With us they archive this and enable us to access it for analysis. The collaboration carries out joint analysis of the data from all four instruments. Collaborators host our equipment at the detectors, and also at test facilities at which we undertake joint technology developments, supplementing those we carry out in Glasgow. Collaborators provide training in the operation of detectors, and detector subsystems. Within the technical working groups set up by the collaboration, there is exchange of ideas on advanced interferometer techniques and topologies, on data analysis, on laser sources, on optics, including optical coatings and thermal noise, and on suspension technology.
Impact Philip Leverhulme Prize RCUK Fellowship Post-doctoral Fellowship EC Framework 7 Infrastructures program International Joint Project Award scheme Travel grant RCUK Science Bridges RCUK Science Bridges Seedcorn grant Research Merit Award JISC Grant SUPA Studentship Science in Society Fellowship RSE/Scottish Executive Personal Research Fellowship MP FS AH MB SR Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2008 Appearance on Radio 4 programme "In our time" Appearance on BBC One Countryfile Regular visits to local schools Public lectures at Science Centres and Science Festivals Events for International Year of Astronomy 2009 Lectures to amateur astronomical societies Meet the Scientist @ Glasgow Science Centre Science @ the Scottish Parliament Astronomy's New Messengers Icarus at the Edge of Time CPD Training for schoolteachers ScienceFace Scottish Science Advisory Council Technology Development Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for technology applications Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for research Fused silica suspension fibres for application in technology Fused silica suspension fibres for gravitational wave detectors Bayesian Techniques in precision optical sensing Bayesian Techniques in gravitational wave data analysis Amplitude or arbitrary phase sideband optical cavity probes Technology Development Diffractively coupled high finesse optical cavities Silicon Carbide bonding Berlin 2009 GWADW 2009 Amaldi 2009 RAS NAM 2009 GWADW 2009 RAS NAM 2008 Texas 2008 Moscow 2008 Schuster Colloquium Elizabeth Spreadbury Lecture RSE Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize Lectureship Wolfson Research Merit Award Tannahill Lecture and Medal Fellow ISGRGI FRSE (1) FInstP (1) FRAS (1) FRSE (2) Max-Planck-Society FRAS (2) History and Development of Knowledge IOP Nuclear and Particle Physics Divisional Conference Advanced Detector Workshop Kyoto LISA Symposium Stanford Optical Fibre Sensors Edinburgh Advanced Detector Workshop Florida Gravitational Wave Bursts meeting Mexico ILIAS Dresden IoP NPPD conference Glasgow 12th Marcel Grossman meeting Paris Lomonosov conference Moscow Advanced Detector Workshop Florida GR19 Meeting Mexico LISA International Symposium Stanford OECD Global Science Forum India IAU Rio de Janeiro Amaldi NY Fujihara Seminar Tokyo OECD Global Science Forum Cracow NEB X111 Thessaloniki New Worlds Portugal PASCOS 07 London LEOS Montreal XX1X Spanish Relativity Meeting Mallorca Rencontres de Moriond Italy Texas Symposium Heidelberg Aspera Workshop Paris IoP HEPP and AP Annual Meeting Frontiers in Optics, OSA, San Jose Amaldi NY Fujiwara Foundation Seminar Japan Advanced Detector Workshop Florida IoP Astroparticle meeting Oxford Cosmo 07 Sussex Aspera Workshop Paris Workshop on Charging Issues MIT IoP NPPD Annual conference Surrey RAS ordinary meeting London ILIAS Italy IAU General Assembly Prague NPPD Conference Glasgow Statistical Challenges Penn State Amaldi student talk Visiting Professorship Jena STFC Particle Astrophysics Advisory panel Physical and Engineering Committee of ESF SSAC Chair GWIC Chair STFC Panels Royal Society Research Grants Panel Aspera/ApPEC Science Advisory Committee Trustee RSE RSE Fellowship Committee IoP Awards Committee Chair LIGO Election & Membership GWIC Deputy Chair PPAN RSE Grants Committee RSE Sectional Committee Stanford-Scotland Photonics GEO Executive Committee FP7 ET Design Study Member STFC Science Committee PPAN GWIC Roadmap committee STFC Oversight Committee Zeplin III Aspera/ApPEC Peer Review Committee Governing Council FP6 ILIAS Aspera/ApPEC Roadmap Committee Advanced Detector committee LSC Publication Policy committee LSC LSC CW Group co-Chair reelected SUPA Astro theme leader LSC CW Group co-chair LSC Detection Committee LSC Data Analysis Council FRSE Aspen Center for Physics 2008 Aspen Center for Physics 2011 Advanced Detectors Workshop Kyoto Cosmic Co-Motion Queensland SAMSI North Carolina Center for Astrostatistics Penn State RAS NAM Llandudno Cosmology and Machine Learning UCL ILIAS Dresden PF PhD FB PhD KC Ugrad LO Ugrad RD Ugrad LM Ugrad LMac Ugrad AB Ugrad EWB Ugrad DF PhD ST Staff BL Staff HW PhD KB RA SF Staff KS staff LSF staff ZP Ugrad DH PhD RU Ugrad NH Ugrad MC Ugrad SL Ugrad NG Ugrad CS PhD OB PhD OB PhD MB PhD EJ Ugrad RM Ugrad RW Ugrad SJ Ugrad SL Ugrad BL Staff BG Ugrad AP PhD PS staff VM staff LG Staff CC PhD SZ Ugrad NM PhD MJ staff AG PhD FGC PhD
 
Description SUPA 
Organisation The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have contributed research outcomes, such as hyrdroxy-catalysis bonding. Another major area of contribution has been through lecture courses and workshops arranged through the SUPA Graduate School, and by arranging seminars by prestigious international visitors, and broadcasting them to all partners.
Collaborator Contribution Adopting a coherent approach to staffing strategy, research training, research initiatives and funding opportunities, SUPA™ pools and enhances Scotland's strongest physics research areas and will develop as a world leader in physics, creating the largest group of physics researchers in the UK. It is also intended as a single "front door" for potential staff, sponsors, and industrial collaborators. Major research themes being pursued are physics and life sciences, energy, astronomy, condensed matter and materials physics, nuclear and plasma physics, particle physics and photonics. The alliance brings together internationally leading physics research across Scotland to form the largest physics grouping in the UK. Enhanced links with the Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh, have provided access to equipment and expertise, and continue to provide opportunities for extending research horizons, e.g. through the application of techniques we have developed for core research to other areas of astronomy.
Impact Philip Leverhulme Prize Research Merit Award SUPA Studentship MP FS AH MB SR Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2008 Appearance on Radio 4 programme "In our time" Appearance on BBC One Countryfile Regular visits to local schools Public lectures at Science Centres and Science Festivals Events for International Year of Astronomy 2009 Lectures to amateur astronomical societies Meet the Scientist @ Glasgow Science Centre Science @ the Scottish Parliament Astronomy's New Messengers Icarus at the Edge of Time CPD Training for schoolteachers ScienceFace Scottish Science Advisory Council Technology Development Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for technology applications Hydroxy-catalysis bonding for research Fused silica suspension fibres for application in technology Fused silica suspension fibres for gravitational wave detectors Berlin 2009 GWADW 2009 Amaldi 2009 RAS NAM 2009 GWADW 2009 RAS NAM 2008 Texas 2008 Moscow 2008 Schuster Colloquium Elizabeth Spreadbury Lecture RSE Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize Lectureship Wolfson Research Merit Award Tannahill Lecture and Medal LISA International Symposium Stanford OECD Global Science Forum India New Worlds Portugal PASCOS 07 London LEOS Montreal Rencontres de Moriond Italy Frontiers in Optics, OSA, San Jose Visiting Professorship Jena STFC Particle Astrophysics Advisory panel Physical and Engineering Committee of ESF SSAC Chair GWIC Chair STFC Panels Royal Society Research Grants Panel Trustee RSE RSE Fellowship Committee IoP Awards Committee Deputy Chair PPAN RSE Grants Committee RSE Sectional Committee Stanford-Scotland Photonics Member STFC Science Committee PPAN SUPA Astro theme leader PF PhD FB PhD KC Ugrad LO Ugrad RD Ugrad LM Ugrad LMac Ugrad AB Ugrad EWB Ugrad DF PhD ST Staff BL Staff HW PhD KB RA SF Staff KS staff LSF staff ZP Ugrad DH PhD RU Ugrad NH Ugrad MC Ugrad SL Ugrad NG Ugrad CS PhD OB PhD OB PhD MB PhD EJ Ugrad RM Ugrad RW Ugrad SJ Ugrad SL Ugrad
 
Description BlueDot Music Festival - talk on gravitational waves 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact BlueDot
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.discoverthebluedot.com
 
Description Careers networking event - Morrisons Academy high school, Crieff, Perthshire 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Presented my research areas (gravitational waves, nanokicking/stem cells) and described career opportunities within physics and biomedical engineering.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL https://twitter.com/macmorrisons/status/971349384926519296
 
Description Invited public talk at Joint Congress of University Astronomical Societies, Galway, Ireland (Mar 2019) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Invited public talk at Joint Congress of University Astronomical Societies, Galway, Ireland (Mar 2019)
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Invited seminar/colloquim, University of Glasgow (UK) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Invited talk on Nanokicking (stem cell) research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Invited talk to the Renfrewshire Astronomical Society, Paisley 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Invited talk to the Renfrewshire Astronomical Society, Paisley
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Invited talk to the Stirling Astronomical Society, Paisley. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact as above
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Keynote public lecture for the British Orthopaedic Research Society (BORS). 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact BORS
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://borsoc.org.uk/
 
Description Public talk with Prof. Andrew Hart (Plastic Surgeon), Clinicians in Research Network 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact n/a
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition - Giving Stem Cells A Good (Nano)kicking 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact 14500 visitors over 7 days.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.nanokick.com
 
Description The Borders Science Festival (Peebles public library) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public talk on gravitational wave detection at the Borders Science Festival
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjRx-Pp-9...