Gravitational-Wave Detectors in India

The first observing run of LIGO’s second-generation detectors gave birth to the new field of gravitational wave astronomy. This run achieved the first direct detection of gravitational waves, the first observation of black hole binaries, the first look at black-hole dynamics and tests of General Relativity in extreme spacetime conditions. Achieving these discoveries required detectors at the frontier of measurement science. Fully exploiting the promise of this new field will require building out the international network of terrestrial gravitational-wave detectors, continually upgrading the detectors in the network’s existing facilities and developing new facilities to expand further the reach of these detectors. This represents significant opportunities for detector development in India.