[Paper Review] Mid-band gravitational wave detection with precision atomic sensors

Peter W. Graham, Jason M. Hogan+3 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Nov 6, 2017

Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research14 references80 citations

TL;DR

This paper assesses the science reach and technical feasibility of MAGIS, a two-satellite, atom-interferometer-based detector in mid-band (≈30 mHz to 10 Hz) to detect gravitational waves and probe cosmology and dark matter.

ABSTRACT

We assess the science reach and technical feasibility of a satellite mission based on precision atomic sensors configured to detect gravitational radiation. Conceptual advances in the past three years indicate that a two-satellite constellation with science payloads consisting of atomic sensors based on laser cooled atomic Sr can achieve scientifically interesting gravitational wave strain sensitivities in a frequency band between the LISA and LIGO detectors, roughly 30 mHz to 10 Hz. The discovery potential of the proposed instrument ranges from from observation of new astrophysical sources (e.g. black hole and neutron star binaries) to searches for cosmological sources of stochastic gravitational radiation and searches for dark matter.

Motivation & Objective

• Motivate mid-band gravitational wave detection as a gap between LISA and LIGO.
• Propose a MAGIS detector concept using Sr atom interferometers in a two-satellite baseline.
• Evaluate potential science cases across astrophysical, cosmological, and dark matter sources.
• Outline instrument design and sensitivity model to assess feasibility and performance.

Proposed method

• Describe a two-satellite MAGIS configuration with Sr-based atomic clocks and atom interferometers.
• Explain measurement strategy using differential phase between two distant atomic references to cancel laser noise.
• Present the resonant and broadband operating modes with equations for the detector response to gravitational waves.
• Outline the instrument error model and key noise sources with quantitative requirements (vibration, gravity gradient, photon shot noise, timing jitter, pointing, temperature, magnetic fields).
• Provide sensitivity curves and discuss optimization of large momentum transfer and resonant enhancement (n and Q).
• Discuss science objectives including WD binaries, BH/NS binaries, IMBHs, cosmological sources, and dark matter signals.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What is the achievable gravitational wave strain sensitivity in the 0.03 Hz to 3 Hz mid-band with MAGIS?
• RQ2 What astrophysical and cosmological sources can MAGIS observe or constrain in both broadband and resonant operation?
• RQ3 How can MAGIS enable joint observations with AdvLIGO and electromagnetic facilities for multi-messenger astronomy?
• RQ4 What are the dominant technical noise sources and required instrument specifications to reach target sensitivity?
• RQ5 Can MAGIS probe ultralight dark matter and other new physics in the mid-band?

Key findings

• MAGIS can achieve scientifically interesting strain sensitivities in the mid-band (≈30 mHz to 10 Hz) between LISA and LIGO.
• In discovery mode around 0.05 Hz, MAGIS can detect large BH binaries and WD binaries with potential pre-merger localization.
• Resonant operation with Q>1 enhances sensitivity at targeted frequencies, enabling longer-lived sources to be tracked and localized.
• MAGIS offers potential for degree-scale sky localization for inspiraling NS-NS, NS-BH, and BH-BH mergers, aiding prompt electromagnetic follow-up.
• The instrument could probe cosmological sources (e.g., inflation signals, cosmic strings, first-order phase transitions) and ultralight dark matter through atomic transition modulations.
• Sensitivity depends on controlling multiple technical noise sources (vibration, gravity gradient, photon shot noise, timing jitter, pointing, temperature, magnetic fields) and requires specific engineering specifications.