For gravitational-wave detections and analyses, the raw outputs from the gravitational-wave detectors need to be converted into analysable data through some calibration apparatus. This project investigates new techniques to improve calibration accuracy and precision and better integrate the calibration bias into astrophysical analyses. 

Recent advances in laser technology now enable the combination of multiple high-quality lasers into a single high-power beam. This project aims to investigate such 'coherently-combined' laser systems within the context of Earth-to-Space laser transmission. Applications of this technology include space debris tracking, free-space optical communications, and propulsion of light-sails for interstellar travel, such as Breakthrough Starshot.

The next big discovery in gravitational wave astronomy may be a first detection of continuous gravitational waves from rapidly-spinning neutron stars. This projects aims to develop the data analysis methods needed for such a discovery.

The project aims to develop methods to improve the sensitivity of optical metasurfaces for the detection of chemical and biological markers. By tailoring a high-precision optical interferometric sensing solution to the optical properties of a metasurface under-test, the project will improve the sensitivity of these devices, developing a new range of targeted ultra-precise metasurface sensors.

Construct a small dual tosion pendulum which have their centre of mass co-incide and their rotational axis colinear. Inital diagnostics will be done using shadow sensors.

Inter-satellite laser links are an emerging technology with applications in Earth Observation, telecommunications, security, and, the focus of the CGA space technology group.

By leveraging hybrid digital-optical methods, we develop new distributed and quasi-distributed fibre-optic acoustic sensors. These acoustic sensors aim to measure vibration, strain and displacement all while localising the signal source along an optical fibre.

Ultralight boson particles have been predicted to solve problems in particle and high-energy physics and are compelling dark matter candidates. We develop algorithms and search for these conjectured ultralight bosons around black holes via gravitational-wave observations. 

Gravitational wave detectors have reached the thermodynamic limit of optical coating performance and require novel coating materials and coating noise suppression techniques for further sensitivity improvements. This project is to design a high-bandwidth feedback control system to stabilise the intensity and frequency of a 2µm-band laser for investigations of thermal noise in experimental mirror coatings.

We study the numerical waveforms for the gravitational waves emitted during the black hole ringdown stage, implement tools and data analysis frameworks, and analyze the latest gravitational-wave data to estimate black hole properties and test the general theory of relativity.

Optical cavities are widely used in physics and precision measurement.  This project will explore the use of modern machine learning methods for the control of suspended optical cavities.

The event of two merging neutron stars, GW170817, was observed in gravitational waves and across the electromagnetic spectrum, opening a new era of multi-messenger astronomy. We work on following up electromagnetic counterparts to future detections of gravitational waves and are ready to contribute to the new science of multi-messenger astronomy. 

Neutron stars are a unique laboratory for probing physics under the greatest extremes of density and gravity, far beyond what is capable in terrestrial laboratories.  This project aims to use gravitational wave discoveries and electromagnetic observations of neutron stars to examine fundamental physics.

In this project, we study the gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics science cases and observational prospects with future ground-based gravitational-wave observatories.

Using non-classical light states on laser interferometric gravitational-wave detectors, to further enhance the best length measurement devices in the world.