Lee McCuller, a physics professor and quantum squeezing expert, is developing innovative techniques to enhance the sensitivity of LIGO, the world’s most advanced gravitational wave detector. His future ambition is to broaden the application of these techniques beyond LIGO.
New Caltech professor Lee McCuller is making quantum measurements even more precise.
From a young age, new Assistant Professor of Physics, Lee McCuller, enjoyed the hands-on process of building things. This interest was fostered by his uncle, who created a power supply for him. McCuller used this in conjunction with electronic hobby kits from RadioShack, performing simple tasks such as operating analog circuits to switch lights and motors on and off.
Today, McCuller’s engineering prowess is applied to an exceptionally advanced device, what some would call the most advanced measurement device in the world: the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, or LIGO.
McCuller is a recognized expert in a field known as quantum squeezing, a technique utilized at LIGO to achieve extremely precise measurements of gravitational waves. that travel millions and billions of light-years across space to reach us. When black holes and collapsed stars, called neutron stars, collide, they generate ripples in space-time, or gravitational waves.
McCuller is a recognized expert in a field known as quantum squeezing, a technique utilized at LIGO to achieve extremely precise measurements of gravitational waves. that travel millions and billions of light-years across space to reach us. When black holes and collapsed stars, called neutron stars, collide, they generate ripples in space-time, or gravitational waves.
LIGO’s detectors—located in Washington and Louisiana—specialize in picking up these waves but are limited by quantum noise, an inherent property of quantum mechanics that results in photons popping in and out of existence in empty space. Quantum squeezing is a complex method for reducing this unwanted noise. READ MORE...
