A gravity antenna based on quantum technologies: MIGA

TL;DR

The MIGA project demonstrates a large-scale gravity antenna using matter-wave interferometry with cold Rb atoms, aiming to enable new gravitational wave detection methods in low-noise underground environments.

Contribution

This paper introduces the construction and status of MIGA, a novel gravity antenna based on quantum atom interferometry, advancing the development of GW detectors in the infrasound range.

Findings

Successful construction of the vacuum vessel for the antenna

Implementation of a 150 m long optical cavity for atom correlation

Establishment of an underground facility with low background noise

Abstract

We report the realization of a large scale gravity antenna based on matter-wave interferometry, the MIGA project. This experiment consists in an array of cold Rb sources correlated by a 150 m long optical cavity. MIGA is in construction at the LSBB underground laboratory, a site that benefits from a low background noise and is an ideal premise to carry out precision gravity measurements. The MIGA facility will be a demonstrator for a new generation of GW detector based on atom interferometry that could open the infrasound window for the observation of GWs. We describe here the status of the instrument construction, focusing on the infrastructure works at LSBB and the realization of the vacuum vessel of the antenna.