GWs and Increasing the observable volume of the universe by a factor of seven.

[beecee]

https://phys.org/news/2018-12-volume-universe-factor.html

Innovation increases observable volume of the universe by a factor of seven

December 14, 2018,

GEO600 Gravitational Wave Detector:

 

The detection of Einstein's gravitational waves relies on highly precise laser measurements of small length changes. The kilometer-size detectors of the international network (GEO600, LIGO, Virgo) are so sensitive that they are fundamentally limited by tiny quantum mechanical effects. These cause a background noise which overlaps with gravitational-wave signals. This noise is always present and can never be entirely removed. But one can change its properties – with a process called squeezing, to date only used routinely at GEO600 – such that it interferes less with the measurement. Now, GEO600 researchers have achieved better squeezing than ever. This opens new ways to improve the international detector network in the next observation runs and is a key step to third-generation detectors such as the Einstein Telescope.

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-12-volume-universe-factor.html#jCp

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https://phys.org/news/2018-12-mini-detectors-gigantic-bose-einstein-condensates-gravitational.html#ms

Mini-detectors for the gigantic? Bose-Einstein condensates are currently not able to detect gravitational waves: 

The gravitational waves created by black holes or neutron stars in the depths of space have been found to reach Earth. Their effects, however, are so small that they can only be observed using kilometer-long measurement facilities. Physicists are therefore discussing whether ultracold and miniscule Bose-Einstein condensates with their ordered quantum properties could also detect these waves. Prof. Ralf Schützhold from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and the TU Dresden has studied the basis of these suggestions and writes in the journal Physical Review D that such evidence is far beyond the reach of current methods.

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-12-mini-detectors-gigantic-bose-einstein-condensates-gravitational.html#jCp

the paper:

https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.98.105019

Interaction of a Bose-Einstein condensate with a gravitational wave:

ABSTRACT

Partly motivated by recent proposals for the detection of gravitational waves, we study their interaction with Bose-Einstein condensates. For homogeneous condensates at rest, the gravitational wave does not directly create phonons (to lowest order) but merely affects existing phonons or indirectly creates phonon pairs via quantum squeezing—an effect which has already been considered in the literature. For inhomogeneous condensate flows such as a vortex lattice, however, the impact of the gravitational wave can directly create phonons. This more direct interaction can be more efficient and could perhaps help bring such a detection mechanism for gravitational waves a step closer towards experimental realizability—even though there is still a long way to go. Finally, we argue that super-fluid helium might offer some advantages in this respect.

Edited December 14, 2018 by beecee

[Endy0816]

Cool! I was kind of thinking we might eventually be able to do something along these lines with GW.