Fall Colloquium- Laser Measurement Science and Optomechanical Technologies

Coherent light enables length measurements of exquisite sensitivity that lie at the core of fascinating observations in fundamental and quantum physics, astrophysics, geodesy and measurement science in general. Novel technologies and measurement principles find application in areas that are paradigm-changing; not only in fundamental science, but that directly impact the global economic and political stage. Detections from ground-based gravitational-wave observatories, like LIGO and VIRGO together with measurements of their electromagnetic counterparts, have opened a new window to observe the universe’s gravitational spectrum and have reshaped astronomy and astrophysics through Gravitational Wave and Multi-Messenger observations. Plans for future observatories on ground, LIGO Voyager, and in space, such as LISA, have already started through the extremely successful LISA Pathfinder mission. Moreover, GRACE follow-on continues GRACE’s legacy of providing information regarding climate change and our planet’s geo-dynamics through valuable observations of the Earth’s gravitational field. Compact and integrated photonics combined with low-loss devices and optomechanically coupled coherent light fields enable us to reach unprecedented measurement accuracies near the quantum sensing limit, which are of relevance in applications such as atom interferometers, gravimeters, and broadband inertial sensing which is crucial for autonomous navigation, particularly in GPS inaccessible environments. At the core of these exciting scientific endeavors lie innovative optomechanical technologies and precision measurements that make this all possible. I will discuss the research work conducted in my research group at the University of Arizona on the advances and implementation of novel optomechanical technologies in areas of precision measurements, inertial sensing, and space borne laser-interferometric intersatellite measurements.   
 
** Refreshments served from 2:45pm – 3:00pm in PAS 218.  Thank you. **