Professor Martin awarded NSF grant to study future gravitational-wave detectors

Professor Rodica Martin recently received a $90,000 grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the optical properties of materials that can be used in next-generation gravitational-wave detectors. The award, “RUI: Survey of Magneto-Optical Materials for Faraday Isolators in Future Gravitational-wave Detectors” is funded under the NSF’s Division of Physics, through its LIGO Research Support and Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) programs.

Gravitational-wave detectors can measure miniscule ripples in the fabric of spacetime; they are produced by colliding black holes, merging neutron stars, and other exotic cosmic phenomena. In 2015 the first gravitational-wave detection from colliding black holes was made by LIGO—the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory. Since then four more black hole collisions have been announced, along with one binary neutron star merger. These discoveries were recognized by the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics. Prof. Martin was involved in the design and installation of the upgrade to LIGO that helped make these detections possible. LIGO is expected to reach its most sensitive configuration in the early 2020s, resulting in a much higher rate of detections.

However, scientists are already thinking about the next generation of detectors, which will be a factor of 10 more sensitive than LIGO. Such detectors (expected in the 2030s) will be able to observe nearly all the stellar-mass black hole mergers in the universe and will allow more precise tests of Einstein’s general relativity. Prof. Martin’s research will focus on a key component of the optical system of these detectors called Faraday Isolators.

According to Martin, “Faraday isolators are critical devices in large-scale gravitational-wave detectors; they protect the interferometer by diverting undesirable back reflections and preventing these reflections from altering its sensitivity.”

Martin’s research involves table-top optics experiments, designed to measure the properties of materials used in these Faraday isolators. A range of materials will be tested, including their behavior at cryogenic temperatures.

“I am so excited about this opportunity”, says Martin.  “This award will allow students at Montclair State to be involved with cutting-edge research that has direct impact to the development of future gravitational-wave detectors.

The research in Martin’s lab will involving training students to develop hands-on skills in areas like optics, lasers, spectroscopy, vacuum systems, and cryogenics. Her work also involves education and outreach activities on behalf of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. This includes public lectures and exhibits at science festivals, and the development of interferometry experiments that can be incorporated into college or high school science courses.