AamsterC2 said:I'm aware that the LIGO system uses interferometry but I'm confused how it works in this case. Do they test both beams of light? Or do they use one beam to test the wavelength of the other and see the difference? Also it is sensitive up to 10 e-18 meters, is that for the change in wavelength or change in the length of the beam?
LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) uses a technique called interferometry to detect gravitational waves. This involves splitting a laser beam into two beams that travel down two perpendicular arms, reflecting off mirrors, and then recombining to create an interference pattern. When a gravitational wave passes through, it causes tiny changes in the length of the arms, which can be detected through changes in the interference pattern.
LIGO is incredibly sensitive, able to detect changes in the length of its arms as small as one-thousandth the width of a proton. This level of sensitivity is necessary to detect the extremely faint signals of gravitational waves from distant sources.
LIGO can distinguish between different sources of gravitational waves based on their unique waveforms. Each source, such as a black hole merger or a neutron star collision, produces a distinct pattern of gravitational waves that can be identified and analyzed by LIGO's detectors.
LIGO is able to detect gravitational waves from sources located millions of light-years away. This is because gravitational waves travel at the speed of light and can pass through vast distances without being affected by matter or other forces.
LIGO's measurement of gravitational waves has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. It can help us study the properties of black holes, neutron stars, and other exotic objects, as well as provide insight into the origins of the universe and the nature of gravity itself. It may also have practical applications, such as improving our ability to detect and predict earthquakes and other natural disasters.