Test of Lorentz Invariance in Electrodynamics Using Rotating Cryogenic Sapphire Microwave Oscillators

We present the first results from a rotating Michelson-Morley experiment that uses two orthogonally orientated cryogenic sapphire resonator-oscillators operating in whispering gallery modes near 10 GHz. The experiment is used to test for violations of Lorentz Invariance in the frame-work of the photon sector of the Standard Model Extension (SME), as well as the isotropy term of the Robertson-Mansouri-Sexl (RMS) framework. In the SME we set a new bound on the previously unmeasured $\tilde{\kappa}_{e-}^{ZZ}$ component of $2.1(5.7)\times10^{-14}$, and set more stringent bounds by up to a factor of 7 on seven other components. In the RMS a more stringent bound of $-0.9(2.0)\times 10^{-10}$ on the isotropy parameter, $P_{MM}=\delta - \beta + {1/2}$ is set, which is more than a factor of 7 improvement. More detailed description of the experiment and calculations can be found in: hep-ph/0506200Comment: Final published version, 4 pages, references adde

ACIGA: status report

The Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational wave Astronomy (ACIGA) is carrying out research on the detection of gravitational waves using laser interferometry. Here we discuss progress on each of the major sub systems: data analysis, lasers and optics, isolation suspension and thermal noise, and configurations, and report on the development of a high optical power test facility in Gingin, Western Australia

ACIGA's high optical power test facility

Copyright © Institute of Physics and IOP Publishing Limited 2004.Advanced laser interferometer detectors utilizing more than 100 W of laser power and with ~106 W circulating laser power present many technological problems. The Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy (ACIGA) is developing a high power research facility in Gingin, north of Perth, Western Australia, which will test techniques for the next generation interferometers. In particular it will test thermal lensing compensation and control strategies for optical cavities in which optical spring effects and parametric instabilities may present major difficulties.L Ju, M Aoun, P Barriga, D G Blair, A Brooks, R Burman, R Burston, X T Chin, E J Chin, C Y Lee, D Coward, B Cusack, G de Vine, J Degallaix, J C Dumas, F Garoi, S Gras, M Gray, D Hosken, E Howell, J S Jacob, T L Kelly, B Lee, K T Lee, T Lun, D McClelland, C Mow-Lowry, D Mudge, J Munch, S Schediwy, S Scott, A Searle, B Sheard, B Slagmolen, P Veitch, J Winterflood, A Woolley, Z Yan and C Zha

Australia's Role in Gravitational Wave Detection

© CSIRO 2003An enormous effort is underway worldwide to attempt to detect gravitational waves. If successful, this will open a new frontier in astronomy. An essential portion of this effort is being carried out in Australia by the Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy (ACIGA), with research teams working at the Australia National University, University of Western Australia, and University of Adelaide involving scientists and students representing many more institutions and nations. ACIGA is developing ultrastable high-power continuous-wave lasers for the next generation interferometric gravity wave detectors; researching the problems associated with high optical power in resonant cavities; opening frontiers in advanced interferometry configurations, quantum optics, and signal extraction; and is the world's leader in high-performance vibration isolation and suspension design. ACIGA has also been active in theoretical research and modelling of potential astronomical gravitational wave sources, and in developing data analysis detection algorithms. ACIGA has opened a research facility north of Perth, Western Australia, which will be the culmination of these efforts. This paper briefly reviews ACIGA's research activities and the prospects for gravitational wave astronomy in the southern hemisphere.John S. Jacob, Pablo Barriga, David G. Blair, Aidan Brooks, Ron Burman, Raymond Burston, Lee Chan, XiuTing Chan, Eu-Jeen Chin, Jong Chow, David Coward, Benedict Cusack, Glen de Vine, Jerome Degallaix, Jean-Charles Dumas, Angus Faulkner, Florin Garoi, Slawomir Gras, Malcolm Gray, Murray Hamilton, Matthew Herne, C. Hollitt, David Hosken, Eric Howell, Li Ju, T. Kelly, Ben Lee, Chuen Ying Lee, Kah Tho Lee, Antony Lun, David McClelland, Kirk McKenzie, C. Mow-Lowry, Damien Mudge, Jesper Munch, Darren Paget, Sascha Schediwy, Susan Scott, Antony Searle, Ben Sheard, Bram Slagmolen, Peter Veitch, John Winterflood, Andrew Woolley, Zewu Yan and Chunnong Zha

Technology developments for ACIGA high power test facility for advanced interferometry

Copyright © Institute of Physics and IOP Publishing Limited 2005.The High Optical Power Test Facility for Advanced Interferometry has been built by the Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy north of Perth in Western Australia. An 80 m suspended cavity has been prepared in collaboration with LIGO, where a set of experiments to test suspension control and thermal compensation will soon take place. Future experiments will investigate radiation pressure instabilities and optical spring effects in a high power optical cavity with ~200 kW circulating power. The facility combines research and development undertaken by all consortium members, whose latest results are presented.P Barriga, M Barton, D G Blair, A Brooks, R Burman, R Burston, E J Chin, J Chow, D Coward, B Cusack, G de Vine, J Degallaix, J C Dumas, M Feat, S Gras, M Gray, M Hamilton, D Hosken, E Howell, J S Jacob, L Ju, T L Kelly, B H Lee, C Y Lee, K T Lee, A Lun, D E McClelland, K McKenzie, C Mow-Lowry, A Moylan, D Mudge, J Munch, D Rabeling, D Reitze, A Romann, S Schediwy, S M Scott, A Searle, B S Sheard, B J J Slagmolen, P Veitch, J Winterflood, A Woolley, Z Yan and C Zha