[Physics-talks] [Physics Talks] Seminar: "Suspending 100 kg masses to study 100 solar-mass black holes"

[Dauda Gbujama]

Dear Physics Community,

You are cordially invited to attend the following seminar:

Speaker: Edgard Bonilla Carrasquel (Stanford University)
Title: "Suspending 100 kg masses to study 100 solar-mass black holes"
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 2 | 10:00–11:00 AM
Location:  Physics Reading Room

Abstract:
Gravitational-wave astronomy has opened a fundamentally new way to observe
the universe. A decade after the first detection by LIGO, the next frontier
lies in extending sensitivity to lower frequencies, where exciting new
astrophysical signals await. In this frequency region, the detector's
performance is limited by our ability to control the complex physical
systems that compose the LIGO interferometers. Edgard will present ongoing
efforts toward the LIGO A# upgrade, which include the introduction of 100
kg test masses and a complete redesign of their suspension system. This
co-design problem simultaneously addresses the seismic, thermal, and
control noises that currently limit detector performance. He will highlight
how a system-level approach to mechanical design and noise modeling enables
targeted improvements in low-frequency sensitivity. Achieving these
advances will open access to mergers of black holes with progenitor masses
well above 100 solar masses and enable early-warning times of up to several
minutes for neutron star mergers, crucial for multimessenger astronomy.
These developments illustrate how integrated experimental design can expand
the discovery space of gravitational-wave detectors and shape the next
generation of precision measurement.

We hope to see you there!

Best regards,
Dauda Gbujama
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