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arXiv · 1707.03466

Control strategy to limit duty cycle impact of earthquakes on the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors

S. Biscans·J. Warner·R. Mittleman·C. Buchanan·M. Coughlin·M. Evans·H. Gabbard·J. Harms·B. Lantz·N. Mukund·A. Pele·C. Pezerat·P. Picart·H. Radkins·T. Shaffer
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Abstract

Advanced gravitational-wave detectors such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatories (LIGO) require an unprecedented level of isolation from the ground. When in operation, they are expected to observe changes in the space-time continuum of less than one thousandth of the diameter of a proton. Strong teleseismic events like earthquakes disrupt the proper functioning of the detectors, and result in a loss of data until the detectors can be returned to their operating states. An earthquake early-warning system, as well as a prediction model have been developed to help understand the impact of earthquakes on LIGO. This paper describes a control strategy to use this early-warning system to reduce the LIGO downtime by 30%. It also presents a plan to implement this new earthquake configuration in the LIGO automation system.

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S. Biscans, J. Warner, R. Mittleman, C. Buchanan, M. Coughlin, M. Evans, H. Gabbard, J. Harms, B. Lantz, N. Mukund, A. Pele, C. Pezerat, P. Picart, H. Radkins, T. Shaffer. 2017-07-11. Control strategy to limit duty cycle impact of earthquakes on the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/aaa4aa

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