A cryogenic silicon interferometer for gravitational-wave detection

Abstract

The detection of gravitational waves from compact binary mergers by LIGO has\nopened the era of gravitational wave astronomy, revealing a previously hidden\nside of the cosmos. To maximize the reach of the existing LIGO observatory\nfacilities, we have designed a new instrument that will have 5 times the range\nof Advanced LIGO, or greater than 100 times the event rate. Observations with\nthis new instrument will make possible dramatic steps toward understanding the\nphysics of the nearby universe, as well as observing the universe out to\ncosmological distances by the detection of binary black hole coalescences. This\narticle presents the instrument design and a quantitative analysis of the\nanticipated noise floor.\n