Nobel Prize in Physics 2017

October 10, 2017

Nobel Prize in Physics 2017

The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2017 is being awarded to Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barnish, and Kip. S. Thorne for their work on the LIGO project, a project that observed gravitational waves for the first time (Nobel Foundation). LIGO stands for Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. Using advanced technology, the largest interferometer ever built was created, with the power to measure 10 -6 the width of a proton. (LIGO Technology). On September 14, in 2015 using this technology created by over 1000 researchers, gravitational waves were measured for the first time (Nobel Foundation).

Gravitational waves are a complex concept. They are “ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe” (LIGO Technology). In the general theory of relativity, Albert Einstein predicted gravitational waves. He theorized that mass in the Universe creates distortion. There are several causes of gravitational waves. The waves that were measured using LIGO were created by two colliding black holes, around 1.3 billion light years away from earth. This type of gravitational wave has been classified as a Compact Binary Inspiral Gravitational Wave. For a simplified explanation of what gravitational waves are and how they work, click the link below.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2016/02/16/how-to-explain-gravitational-waves-to-any-fourth-grader/#5cc718b61a5b

The LIGO was created with extremely powerful technology. It uses the same basic structure of a Michelson Interferometer, although on a much larger scale. The arms of the LIGO interferometer are 4 km long, with a laser that shines at 750 kilowatts. In addition, it uses an Internal Seismic Isolation system, to cancel out any possible motion of mirrors within the interferometer. Because it is so sensitive, the LIGO interferometer can highly sense any surrounding motion, so it is very necessary. A very very powerful vacuum is also necessary. The air pressure inside the LIGO interferometer is one trillionth of the air pressure at sea level (LIGO Technology).

What does this mean?

The ability to measure and interpret gravitational waves opens up doors for scientists. They carry convey information about events and objects in the universe that electromagnetic radiation cannot. Electromagnetic radiation, previously used, is susceptible to alteration and distortion on a journey through space. Gravitational waves interact with matter little, so can convey information about their origin. It is a new way to look at studying the universe (Bushwick).