LIGO
device · 2015 · Digital age
A laser interferometer that detects gravitational waves.
What it is made of
- Interferometer arm vacuum tubes — has part. Two 4 km vacuum tubes.
- Laser — has part. A laser.
- Suspended test mass mirror — has part. Suspended mirrors.
- Base isolation — has part. The suspension damps ground vibrations.
- Photodiode — has part. A photodetector of the interference.
Principles and materials it uses
- Laser — uses. A laser.
- Vacuum — uses. 4 km vacuum tubes.
- Silica (sand) — is made of. The mirrors are fused silica.
- Steel — is made of. The vacuum tubes are stainless steel.
Where it is used
- Gravitational waves — is used in. Detection.
What it is a kind of
- Interferometer — is a kind of. An interferometer.