James Hough - Ripples from the Dark Side of the Universe

Professor Sir James Hough FRS
Associate Director, Institute for Gravitational Research, University of Glasgow, UK
Seminar room, A.1.500

Abstract:

In this talk I will review progress in the field of gravitational wave detection from the first days of the aluminium bar detectors to the present time where the laser interferometer detectors Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo have allowed gravitational waves to be detected and are opening up a new field of gravitational multi-messenger astrophysics. Many experimental challenges had to be overcome and new challenges are presenting themselves as we look to further enhance the performance of ground based detectors and look to lower frequencies with the space based detector LISA.

Biography:

Professor Sir James Hough (Jim) is a graduate of the University of Glasgow where he became Professor of Experimental Physics in 1986 and is the emeritus holder of the Kelvin Chair of Natural Philosophy. Currently he is a Research Professor in Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow.

About DLS:
The Distinguished Lecturer Series (DLS) follows a colloquium format for a broad audience and will be followed by a reception to provide an opportunity for meeting the speaker.