Precision Interferometry and Fundamental Interactions

This department’s research encompasses precision interferometry instrumentation for ground-based and space-based gravitational-wave observatories and laser-optical searches for fundamental interactions beyond the standard model.

The department has been established in August of 2022 and is led by Guido Müller. The core activity in this department is the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and space-based gravitational-wave astronomy.

Together with Karsten Danzmann’s department, it works towards realizing LISA by helping to manage the payload contributions of the LISA consortium and supporting ESA’s LISA system engineering office. One specific focus of the department is the development of a hardware-in-the-loop LISA testbed to generate as realistic simulated signals as possible, which will be combined with astrophysical data-analysis pipelines developed at AEI Potsdam – together going all the way from laser photons to inferred parameters of the astrophysical sources. A second focus will be experiments and studies towards “Beyond LISA” pushing the limits and enabling a new mission in the 2050s.

The department also works on axion-like particle searches and studies of fundamental interactions such as vacuum magnetic birefringence taking advantage of a new 250 meter long magnet string at DESY and in-house experiments. Furthermore, the department also supports the development of ground-based gravitational-wave observatories such as the Einstein Telescope and the Cosmic Explorer.