Case for INDIGO
Indian Interferometric Gravitational wave Observatory
Tarun Souradeep (IUCAA)
Sanjit Mitra (JPL-Caltech)
Anand Sengupta (LIGO-Caltech)
Rana Adhikari (LIGO-Caltech)
INDIGO: the concept
• An opportunity to replicate the current LIGO
in India.
• Based on a successful bid to acquire the LIGO
hardware that is replaced for advanced LIGO.
• Minimal goal : a working `LIGO’ in seven years.
• Provide a common umbrella to redirect and
expand GW related research towards ,and
around, experimentation.
Why is it a good idea?
• Have a 20 year legacy and wide recognition in the Intl. GW community. (Would
not make it to the GWIC report, otherwise! AIGO/LIGO interest.)
• Jump start GW experimentation – going beyond analysis methodology &
theoretical prediction.
• For once, may be perfect time to a launch an experimental field well before it has
obviously blossomed. E.g., unlike CMB – difficult now to be a significant player
• ‘Technology transfer’ in contrast to `R&D’ (e.g., Indian automobile industry) to
build something that is known to work.
• Provides an exciting challenge at an International forefront of experimental
science. Can tap and siphon in the extremely good UG students available in
India. (Sole cause of `brain drain’).
• Smart ,small scale, individual experimental gravitation/GW plans have a much
better prospect to thrive under the INDIGO umbrella. (Easier to conceive and
implement in light of a major initiative)
What is required? principles
• Unmitigated
(even a tad reckless) backing of
the
Indian GW community leaders.
– Institute policy/National policy
– will drive the incoming youngsters to fully realize
their potential. They must feel, and be told, that this is what you
want. Practically, there is no other pressure – just recognition from peers)
– Higher visibility to GW leading to hiring in Indian Institutes.
Cannot expect institutes & bigwigs to promote hiring in an unambitious field.
– Need to get other specialized institutions (e.g., CAT) interested
– Solidify the support from the Intl. community.
• A show of hands from the incoming generation,
given above. (Looks promising to me.)
What is required? practical
• Take seriously the possibility of an MoU with LIGO
– Even if initially just for preparing the community for the LIGO bid.
– Initiate exchange visits for exposure and training of Indian experimentalists.
LIGO postdoc/staff long term visit for INDIGO work.
– Indo-US proposal (IUSTTF)
• Follow up on support & help from other groups
– Bruce Allen : regarding supplying lasers (Sanjeev)
– David Blair : AIGO support on many front– suspension, polishing
• Initiate training with INDIGO specific projects
– Pool well defined projects that can supervised by any of us.
– Channel promising students to Intl labs (LIGO, AIGO, VIRGO)
• Major International program on GW in 2010
– ICTS program (can have 4-6 weeks school/workshop)
Invite GW proponents & luminaries, e.g., Kip Thorne
– Increase visibility of GW and also project IndIGO , GWIC recommendation
(…Cont’d)
What is required? practical
• Propose and build a prototype soon.
– Capability demonstrator for TT as first phase. Use for 3rd gen R&D.
– Few institute initiative (in particular, TIFR & RRI)
– Involve top level UG students heavily. (very possible).
• Science goals of initial INDIGO
– Harness our strengths and focus single mindedly on the INDIGO
context. (Such papers would also get recognized as much as work
done for existing /upcoming facilities)
– Significant efforts underway (Sanjit’ talk)
– Should not expect `fantastic’ but ‘reasonable’ goals. (However,
may target a shifted band.) First step toward establishing credible
& visible Indian GW community with theoretical, analysis as
well experimental facets.
INDIGO: an umbrella
(Indian Integrated GW Objectives)
• Important to accommodate all aspirations.
• Investment of time and effort in getting INDIGO off the ground
provides a solid platform for other allied `pet’ developments
–
–
–
–
Novel Data Analysis
Refining theoretical predictions
Smaller scale GW or Gravitation experiments
Cross talk with related GW efforts – e.g. CMB B-mode polarization, SKAPulsar timing limits, GRB signals, BH mergers & structure formation…..
– Bernard Schutz GWIC summary
• Participation in LISA through ISRO
– Much more credible in light of INDIGO developments within an unified
community
• …..
INDIGO:
Indian National Dhurandhar-Iyer
GW Observatory