See Agilent-Varian Ion Pumps at LIGO, USA
Gravitational Waves Detected 100 Years After Einstein’s Prediction
Agilent-Varian contribution to the detection of Gravitational Waves 100 Years After Einstein’s Prediction
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is designed to open the field of gravitational-wave astrophysics through the direct detection of gravitational waves predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. LIGO’s multi-kilometer-scale gravitational wave detectors use laser interferometry to measure the minute ripples in space-time caused by passing gravitational waves from cataclysmic cosmic sources such as the mergers of pairs of neutron stars or black holes, or by supernovae. LIGO consists of two widely separated interferometers within the United States—one in Hanford, Washington and the other in Livingston, Louisiana—operated in unison to detect gravitational waves.
*The images are courtesy of Caltech/MIT/LIGO Laboratory
Agilent Ion Pumps mounted on LIGO Gravitational Waves Detectors
Creating ultra clean and stable High Vacuum in these multi-kilometer detectors is instrumental to the proper operation of the entire system and has been one of the key technological challenges.
Furthermore, up-time, reliability and totally vibrationless operation are an absolute must for such detectors.
The challenge of fulfilling all these stringent requirements was addressed by special customized Ion Pumps, designed and built by Agilent – Varian that provide the ideal vacuum conditions for the success of this experiment.
Watch the RAI 3 TV News Report
Dedicated to the contribution of Agilent Technologies to the discovery of Gravitational Waves, broadcast on February 27, 2016
Visit Agilent.com BLOG page to learn more about Agilent contribution to the detection of Gravitational Waves