LNF Mini-Workshop Series: The Detection of Gravitational Waves, toward a new era in astrophysics research

Monday 29 Feb 2016, 14:30 → 18:00 Europe/Rome

Aula Bruno Touschek (Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati dell'INFN)

Alessandro Paoloni (LNF), Patrizia De Simone (LNF)

After 100 years from the formulation of the theory of general
relativity by Albert Einstein, gravitational waves have been finally
observed on September 14, 2015 as a transient signal by the two
detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory,
LIGO.
In this mini-workshop the results by LIGO and VIRGO collaborations
will be presented, together with a historical review of gravitational
wave detectors.
Future implications of gravitational waves observation in astrophysics
will be also discussed.

1 Welcome LNF Director

Speaker: Pierluigi Campana (LNF)

2 Birth and development of the experiments searching for gravitational waves

The birth and development of the experimental search for gravitational waves is described, from the first Weber experiment to the cryogenic resonant bars, to the laser interferometers. The contribution of the Rome group during a period of fortysix years is described. The cryogenic detectors EXPLORER and NAUTILUS and the results achieved are shown.

Speaker: Guido Pizzella (LNF)

Slides Pizzella.ppt

3 The direct detection of Gravitational waves

The observation of gravitational waves emitted by the coalescence of two binary black holes, opened a new era in fundamental physics and astronomy. We will discuss in more details the discovery and some of the main consequences derived by analysing the signal.

Speaker: Fulvio Ricci (ROMA1)

Slides Ricci.pdf

4 GW150914: astrophysical implications and multi-messenger astronomy

The new era of gravitational wave astronomy started with the discovery of the gravitational-wave source GW150914 by the LIGO and Virgo collaborations. The signal provides the first observational evidence of the inspiral and merger of binary black holes and the existence of black holes with mass larger than 25 solar masses. Electromagnetic and high-energy-neutrino follow-up observations have been performed marking the beginning of hystorical multi-messenger astronomy with gravitational waves. The talk will summarize the astrophysical implications of the discovery and the multi-messenger follow-up campaign of GW150914.

Speaker: Marica Branchesi (FI)

17:00 Coffee Break