Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astrophysics

Observations from the LIGO and LISA projects seek to use gravitational radiation to study a variety of astrophysical sources. Theoretical studies are aimed at developing sensitive data analysis techniques and calculating G-wave signals from sources such as coalescing black holes and neutron stars.

Caltech is host to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) Laboratory. The LIGO detectors made the first detection of gravitational-waves in 2015, and a number of others since. We explore what can be done with the signals from compact binaries, pulsars, supernovae, as well as the unknown. We are actively working to exploit the tools of precision measurement and quantum entanglement to reach out to the early universe.