Seismic, Acoustic, and Electromagnetic Field Tests and Site Assessments for Cosmic Explorer (CE)

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Abstract:: Cosmic Explorer (CE) is a concept for a future, third-generation gravitational wave observatory comprising two widely separated, large scale interferometers, up to 40 km in length, situated in North America. CE will be 10 times larger than the current Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). Potential CE sites must have low environmental noise including seismic, acoustic, and electromagnetic backgrounds. In order to assess the suitability of potential Cosmic Explorer locations, we performed a series of initial tests of seismic, acoustic, and magnetic instrumentation and hardware. Tests were carried out at LIGO Hanford Observatory and at nearby offsite locations.
Our overarching goal of this project is to create a portable kit containing the necessary site-assessment instrumentation, such as a seismometer and magnetometer, while ensuring the equipment is accurate, reliable, weather-proof, and simple to transport and use for CE site testing. Another aim is to write a ‘CE Kit Setup on Site Surveys’ user manual to serve as a Quick Guide (QG) for setting up the instruments in the field and analyzing data on the go. The experiments performed in this project are a pathfinder in evaluating environmental noise at potential Cosmic Explorer sites.

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LHO SURF 24 Interim Report 1 Milena Tsioma (_INTERIM REPORT 1 LHO LIGO SURF 2024_Milena Tsioma.pdf, 19.8 MB)

LIGO Document T2400273-v2