[Paper Review] Cosmic Explorer: A Submission to the NSF MPSAC ngGW Subcommittee

Matthew Evans, A. Corsi+74 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Jun 23, 2023

Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research36 citations

TL;DR

A white paper proposing Cosmic Explorer, a next‑generation gravitational-wave observatory with order‑of‑magnitude greater sensitivity than LIGO, to extend observations across astronomy, physics, and cosmology.

ABSTRACT

Gravitational-wave astronomy has revolutionized humanity's view of the universe, a revolution driven by observations that no other field can make. This white paper describes an observatory that builds on decades of investment by the National Science Foundation and that will drive discovery for decades to come: Cosmic Explorer. Major discoveries in astronomy are driven by three related improvements: better sensitivity, higher precision, and opening new observational windows. Cosmic Explorer promises all three and will deliver an order-of-magnitude greater sensitivity than LIGO. Cosmic Explorer will push the gravitational-wave frontier to almost the edge of the observable universe using technologies that have been proven by LIGO during its development. With the unprecedented sensitivity that only a new facility can deliver, Cosmic Explorer will make discoveries that cannot yet be anticipated, especially since gravitational waves are both synergistic with electromagnetic observations and can reach into regions of the universe that electromagnetic observations cannot explore. With Cosmic Explorer, scientists can use the universe as a laboratory to test the laws of physics and study the nature of matter. Cosmic Explorer allows the United States to continue its leading role in gravitational-wave science and the international network of next-generation observatories. With its extraordinary discovery potential, Cosmic Explorer will deliver revolutionary observations across astronomy, physics, and cosmology including: Black Holes and Neutron Stars Throughout Cosmic Time, Multi-Messenger Astrophysics and Dynamics of Dense Matter, New Probes of Extreme Astrophysics, Fundamental Physics and Precision Cosmology, Dark Matter and the Early Universe.

Motivation & Objective

• Motivate a next-generation gravitational-wave observatory building on NSF investments.
• Argue that improved sensitivity, precision, and new observational windows will enable revolutionary discoveries.
• Position Cosmic Explorer as critical for maintaining U.S. leadership in gravitational-wave science and global collaboration.

Proposed method

• Describe the scientific motivations and discovery potential of Cosmic Explorer.
• Discuss the technical readiness by leveraging technologies demonstrated by LIGO.
• Highlight the observatory’s role in multi-messenger astronomy and fundamental physics.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What kinds of discoveries become possible with an order‑of‑magnitude increase in gravitational-wave sensitivity compared to LIGO?
• RQ2 How will Cosmic Explorer enhance multi-messenger astrophysics and tests of fundamental physics?
• RQ3 What is the role of Cosmic Explorer in advancing cosmology and the study of dense matter across cosmic time?

Key findings

• Cosmic Explorer promises all three improvements: better sensitivity, higher precision, and opening new observational windows.
• It aims to push the gravitational-wave frontier to almost the edge of the observable universe.
• The observatory will synergize with electromagnetic observations and probe regions inaccessible to electromagnetic astronomy.
• It supports continued U.S. leadership in gravitational-wave science and the international network of next‑gen observatories.
• The project envisions transformative studies across black holes, neutron stars, dense matter dynamics, and fundamental physics.