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The graviton detection problem

Germain Tobar
WhenFriday 11 October 2024
Who can comeAudience not recorded

Abstract

The detection of single gravitons (a quantum of gravity, like the photon for electromagnetism) is commonly told to be a near impossible task, but to what extent is this true? In this talk, I will discuss how a gravitational version of the historic photo-electric effect can be implemented with modified gravitational wave detectors, such an experiment would correspond to a single graviton detection process, and in analogy with the photo-electric effect for photons, provide the first evidence of the existence of the graviton.

The speaker presenting a slide about the history of the photoelectric effect at ScientiFika
Image provided by the speaker.

Alongside the talk

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Proposed graviton-detection scheme: gravitational waves from a neutron-star merger drive coupled mechanical masses, with optical readout of a single-phonon energy step
The proposed detection scheme discussed in the talk, linking gravitational-wave absorption to an optical readout.
Image provided by the speaker.