Workshop on Geophysics and Gravitational-Wave Detectors
108 -- 1st floor -- Salle du Conseil
Institut de Physique du Globe, Paris (France)
Gravitational waves are a prediction of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity. They are ripples in the space-time metric produced by cataclysmic astrophysical events. Currently, a worldwide effort to detect them employs detectors on Earth and in space. The direct detection of gravitational waves provides not only an important test of General Relativity. It also allows a new way to observe the Universe. The detection principle is based on the measurement of the space-time deformation between test masses due to gravitational waves by using high-precision optical interferometers. The sensitivity of those instruments is limited at low frequency by seismic noise. The ground is in continuous motion due to the geological, atmospheric, oceanic and human activity. Geological activity affects the interferometric detectors, and conversely - for the same reason - the interferometric detectors can be used to extract information on the geological activity.
The goal of this workshop is to discuss potential fundamental geophysical studies with gravitational-wave detectors in particular, with Virgo.
This workshop is supported by Labex UnivEarthS.