Berlin Physics Colloquium: Prof. Dr. Roman Schnabel "Quantum Correlated Light – Routinely used in Gravitational Wave Detectors"
Light with squeezed quantum uncertainty allows for the sensitivity improvement of laser interferometers.
In 2011, the GEO600 gravitational wave detector used squeezed light in its joint search for gravitational waves with Virgo. The successful sensitivity improvement triggered the implementation of squeezed light sources also in Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo.
On April 1st, 2019 these observatories started their third observational run. Since then, they have been detecting more than one GW event per week. An increased event rate of up to 50% is due to the exploitation of squeezed states of light.
Squeezed light is fully described by quantum theory, however, observations on squeezed light represent physics that is not self-evident. I present a description of why a squeezed photon counting statistic is rather remarkable.
Time & Location
Jan 29, 2026 | 06:30 PM
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Anna von Helmholtz Building
Entrance: Corner of Marchstraße and Fraunhoferstraße
10587 Berlin
Further Information
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Jens Eisert
About Berlin Physics Colloquium
The Berlin Physics Colloquium in the Magnus House was initiated in 1998 by the Physical Society of Berlin. The colloquium is organised jointly by the Freie Universität Berlin, the Humboldt University of Berlin, the Technical University of Berlin and the University of Potsdam with the support of the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation. It takes place on the first or second Thursday of every month, except in March, August and September.