Advancing Gravitational Wave Detection: Challenges, Innovations, and Future Perspectives

 

We are delighted to welcome Dr Carlos Garcia Nuñez, an accomplished experimental physicist and Lecturer in Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering at the James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow. With over 13 years of expertise in Semiconductor Nanowires and Thin Films for Optoelectronics, Sensors, and Energy Systems, Dr Garcia Nuñez has played a pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge technologies. A member of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) collaboration since 2018, he brings a wealth of experience and insight to the field of gravitational wave detection.

 

In this talk, Dr Garcia Nuñez will explore the history of gravitational waves and the groundbreaking technologies developed to detect them. He will discuss the various sources of noise that affect interferometric gravitational wave detectors, focusing particularly on thermal noise, and outline the challenges in achieving extraordinary sensitivity. Showcasing the innovative mirror coatings he developed at the University of Glasgow, Dr Garcia Nuñez will illustrate how these advancements are enhancing our ability to detect cosmic events. These innovations provide critical insights into the origins of the Universe, the nature of dark matter, and the fundamental mysteries of the cosmos.

 

Join us for an engaging journey through the science and engineering behind one of the most transformative tools in modern astrophysics.