The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) consists of detector facilities in Hanford, WA and Livingston, LA, USA, separated by 3000 km. Laser interferometry is used to monitor displacements of freely suspended mirrors, separated by 2 - 4 km, along perpendicular arms at each facility. The initial LIGO detector design sensitivity corresponds to measuring gravitational-wave induced differential displacements of order 1 millifermi over the 4-km arms. Progress in the commissioning and operation of these detectors will be reviewed.
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), currently under construction, will observe cosmic-gravitational waves as small apparent displacements induced between suspended test masses. Laser interferometers with arm lengths of 4 kilometers, that are capable of resolving 10-18 meter changes in armlength, are being developed for the observatory. A test-bed interferometer with 40 meter long arms has been constructed and is being used to develop detection techniques. Sensitivity to displacements of order 10-17 meter and strains of order 10-19 have already been demonstrated with this interferometer. This talk will discuss the technical challenges involved in this effort and review progress toward observatory and detector development.
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