The Long Odyssey from Einstein to Gravitational Waves

by Barry C. Barish (LIGO Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA)

Wednesday 11 Jan 2017, 18:00 → 19:00 Europe/Stockholm

Beijersalen (Beijersalen)

Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves 100 years ago, but the effects are so tiny that even Einstein thought they could never be detected. After 40 years of controversy, theorists finally developed a consensus that they really do exist. Then, the problem became whether experimental physicists could develop instruments sensitive enough to actually detect them? This past year, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), using exquisitely sensitive techniques, made the dramatic observation of gravitational waves coming from the collision of two Black Holes. This observation has opened a totally new window on the universe. The lecture is free of charge and open to the public. Registration is not needed.