An official website of the United States government
Abstract Gravitational-wave observations by the laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatory (LIGO) and Virgo have provided us a new tool to explore the Universe on all scales from nuclear physics to the cosmos and have the massive potential to further impact fundamental physics, astrophysics, and cosmology for decades to come. In this paper we have studied the science capabilities of a network of LIGO detectors when they reach their best possible sensitivity, called A , given the infrastructure in which they exist and a new generation of observatories that are factor of 10 to 100 times more sensitive (depending on the frequency), in particular a pair of L-shaped cosmic explorer (CE) observatories (one 40 km and one 20 km arm length) in the US and the triangular Einstein telescope with 10 km arms in Europe. We use a set of science metrics derived from the top priorities of several funding agencies to characterize the science capabilities of different networks. The presence of one or two A observatories in a network containing two or one next generation observatories, respectively, will provide good localization capabilities for facilitating multimessenger astronomy (MMA) and precision measurement of the Hubble parameter. Two CE observatories are indispensable for achieving precise localization of binary neutron star events, facilitating detection of electromagnetic counterparts and transforming MMA. Their combined operation is even more important in the detection and localization of high-redshift sources, such as binary neutron stars, beyond the star-formation peak, and primordial black hole mergers, which may occur roughly 100 million years after the Big Bang. The addition of the Einstein Telescope to a network of two CE observatories is critical for accomplishing all the identified science metrics including the nuclear equation of state, cosmological parameters, the growth of black holes through cosmic history, but also make new discoveries such as the presence of dark matter within or around neutron stars and black holes, continuous gravitational waves from rotating neutron stars, transient signals from supernovae, and the production of stellar-mass black holes in the early Universe. For most metrics the triple network of next generation terrestrial observatories are a factor 100 better than what can be accomplished by a network of three A observatories.
more »
« less
This content will become publicly available on January 1, 2026
Criteria for identifying and evaluating locations that could potentially host the Cosmic Explorer observatories
Cosmic Explorer is a next-generation ground-based gravitational-wave observatory that is being designed in the 2020s and is envisioned to begin operations in the 2030s together with the Einstein Telescope in Europe. The Cosmic Explorer concept currently consists of two widely separated L-shaped observatories in the United States, one with 40 km-long arms and the other with 20 km-long arms. This order of magnitude increase in scale with respect to the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observatories will, together with technological improvements, deliver an order of magnitude greater astronomical reach, allowing access to gravitational waves from remnants of the first stars and opening a wide discovery aperture to the novel and unknown. In addition to pushing the reach of gravitational-wave astronomy, Cosmic Explorer endeavors to approach the lifecycle of large scientific facilities in a way that prioritizes mutually beneficial relationships with local and Indigenous communities. This article describes the (scientific, cost and access, and social) criteria that will be used to identify and evaluate locations that could potentially host the Cosmic Explorer observatories.
more »
« less
- PAR ID:
- 10591272
- Author(s) / Creator(s):
- ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more »
- Publisher / Repository:
- AIP Publishing
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Review of Scientific Instruments
- Volume:
- 96
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0034-6748
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Cosmic Explorer Site Criteria
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Abstract The next generation of ground-based gravitational-wave interferometers is expected to generate a bounty of new astrophysical discoveries, with sensitivities and bandwidths greatly improved compared to current-generation detectors. These detectors will allow us to make exceptional advancements in our understanding of fundamental physics, the dynamics of dense matter, and the cosmic history of compact objects. The fundamental design aspects of these planned interferometers will enable these new discoveries; however, challenges in technical noise, data quality, and calibration have the potential to limit the scientific reach of these instruments. In this work, we evaluate the requirements of these elements for next-generation gravitational-wave science, focusing on how these areas may impact the proposed Cosmic Explorer observatory. We highlight multiple aspects of these fields where additional research and development is required to ensure Cosmic Explorer reaches its full potential.more » « less
-
The assembly of massive black holes in the early universe remains a poorly constrained open question in astrophysics. The merger and accretion of light seeds (remnants of Population III stars with mass below ∼ 1000 M ) or heavy seeds (in the mass range 104−106 M ) could both explain the formation of massive black holes, but the abundance of seeds and their merging mechanism are highly uncertain. In the next decades, the gravitational-wave observatories coming online are expected to observe very highredshift mergers, shedding light on the seeding of the first black holes. In this Letter we explore the potential and limitations for LISA, Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope to constrain the mixture ratio of light and heavy seeds as well as the probability that central black holes in merging galaxies merge as well. Since the third generation ground-based gravitational-wave detectors will only observe light seed mergers, we demonstrate two scenarios in which the inference of the seed mixture ratio and merging probability can be limited. The synergy of multi-band gravitational-wave observations and electromagnetic observations will likely be necessary in order to fully characterize the process of high-redshift black hole formation.more » « less
-
de_Groot, Peter J; Picart, Pascal; Guzman, Felipe (Ed.)Following a decade of unprecedented success through LIGO and Virgo’s observations of compact binary coalescences, gravitational wave astronomy is now recognized as a key tool in our continued efforts to understand the Universe and our place within it. Far from resting on their laurels though, the gravitational wave community is forging ahead with major plans for the future. The proposed “ultimate terrestrial gravitational wave detector facility” Cosmic Explorer recently received a boost with significant funding from the NSF to proceed with a conceptual design. This paper surveys the current state-of-the-art ground-based gravitational wave detector facilities, and their planned near-term upgrades. After motivating the next-generation Cosmic Explorer concept with a discussion of the key science targets, this paper describes some of the unique technical challenges it faces, including a focus on the ongoing optical design of Cosmic Explorer’s 40 km-scale laser interferometers.more » « less
-
Abstract Advancements in cosmology through next-generation (XG) ground-based gravitational wave (GW) observatories will bring in a paradigm shift. We explore the pivotal role that GW standard sirens will play in inferring cosmological parameters with XG observatories, not only achieving exquisite precision but also opening up unprecedented redshifts. We examine the merits and the systematic biases involved in GW standard sirens utilizing binary black holes, binary neutron stars, and neutron star-black hole mergers. Further, we estimate the precision of bright sirens, golden dark sirens, and spectral sirens for these binary coalescences and compare the abilities of various XG observatories (A , cosmic explorer, Einstein telescope, and their possible networks). When combining different sirens, we find sub-percent precision over more than 10 billion years of cosmic evolution for the Hubble expansion rateH(z). This work presents a broad view of opportunities to precisely measure the cosmic expansion rate, decipher the elusive dark energy and dark matter, and potentially discover new physics in the uncharted Universe with XG GW detectors.more » « less
