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 will be the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and space-based gravitational-wave astronomy.
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Together with Karsten Danzmann’s department, it will work 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 will be the development of a hardware-in-the-loop LISA testbed to generate as realistic signals as possible and test the entire data analysis pipeline from laser photons to source parameters. A second focus will be experiments and studies towards “Beyond LISA” pushing the limits and enabling a new mission in the 2050s.
The department will also work 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. Furthermore, the department will also support the development of ground-based gravitational-wave observatories such as the Einstein Telescope and the Cosmic Explorer.
Our research
Gravitational-wave Astronomy
The department contributes to realizing LISA and supports experiments and studies towards “Beyond LISA” to enable a new mission in the 2050s.
Fundamental Physics
The department conducts axion-like particle searches and studies of fundamental interactions such as vacuum magnetic birefringence.
