Identifier

etd-11172014-151348

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The second generation of LIGO detectors has finished construction and the commissioning effort is pushing the instruments towards their designed sensitivity. Around the world similar undertakings are underway, and soon a global network capable of astrophysical observation will be operational. The first sentences are being written in an important chapter of terrestrial gravitational wave detection, an entire century after the theoretical foundations of general relativity were laid, and after decades of calculation, design, proposals, plans, and laboratory work. In order to make sensitive measurements, the detector must be well isolated from the vibrations of the ground, and much of this thesis describes the effectiveness of active control platforms used to mitigate the transmission of seismic motions to the test masses. This work was performed both during the last science run of the first generation LIGO detector and as part of the commissioning of the second generation instrument.

Date

2014

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Giaime, Joseph A

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3464

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