Cataclysmic events in our Universe can produce ripples in the fabric of space-time, propagating at the speed of light. These gravitational waves can be detected on Earth with kilometer-scale Michelson interferometers. They are studied to characterize astrophysical and cosmological sources.

The “gravitational wave” group at IJCLab participates to several experiments to study gravitational-wave sources. The Virgo interferometer, installed in Italy, can detect gravitational waves directly. In the context of multi-messenger astronomy, the SVOM satellite and the GRANDMA telescope network perform an electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational-wave events. Finally, the CALVA test facility is used to study squeezed-light technics to improve the performance of gravitational-wave detectors.

Virgo detector characterization

Instrumental and environmental noise polluting the Virgo detector must be investigated to improve the sensitivity of gravitational-wave searches.

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Gravitational waves from binary systems

Binary systems of neutrons stars or black holes are golden sources of gravitational waves. Dedicated research algorithms are developed to search for these signals.

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Gravitational waves associated to gamma-ray bursts

For binary mergers or for collapsing super-massive stars, gravitational waves are produced in coincidence with jets of gamma rays. Therefore it is possible to conduct searches for gravitational waves targeting (in time and space) gamma-ray burst events.

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Gravitational waves from cosmic strings

Cosmic strings are topological defects which may produce gravitational waves. Detecting such gravitational-wave events would be an important proof for the existence of cosmic strings

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Multi-messenger astronomy

Some sources of gravitational waves can be observed in other channels: electromagnetism, neutrinos… Using multiple channels can improve our understanding of astrophysical sources. The IJCLab group participates to GRANDMA and SVOM experiments to follow-up sources of gravitational waves with optical and high-energy telescopes.

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MXT scientific software for the SVOM satellite

The IJCLab team developed the onboard scientific software for the X-ray telescope in the SVOM satellite. Algorithms were implemented to localize X-ray sources with accuracy.

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Squeezed light for interferometers

To improve the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors, it is possible to use squeezed light. These technics are studied on the CALVA test facility

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