The payload of the Lunar Gravitational-wave Antenna

TL;DR

The paper discusses the development of a lunar-based gravitational-wave detector using seismic stations and cryogenic sensors to detect low-frequency signals beyond current Earth-based capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces the concept and current research status of a lunar gravitational-wave antenna employing seismic stations and advanced inertial sensors for low-frequency detection.

Findings

Development of a cryogenic superconducting inertial sensor with fm/rtHz sensitivity.

Design of an array of seismic stations in lunar craters for gravitational-wave detection.

Potential to detect lower-frequency gravitational waves than current Earth-based detectors.

Abstract

The toolbox to study the Universe grew on 14 September 2015 when the LIGO-Virgo collaboration heard a signal from two colliding black holes between 30-250 Hz. Since then, many more gravitational waves have been detected as detectors increased sensitivity. However, the current detector design sensitivity curves still have a lower cut-off of 10 Hz. To detect even lower-frequency gravitational-wave signals, the Lunar Gravitational-wave Antenna will use an array of seismic stations in a permanently shadowed crater. It aims to detect the differential between the elastic response of the Moon and the suspended inertial sensor proof mass motion induced by gravitational waves. A cryogenic superconducting inertial sensor is under development that aims for fm/rtHz sensitivity or better down to 1 Hz and is planned to be deployed in seismic stations. Here, we describe the current state of research towards the inertial sensor, its applications and additional auxiliary technologies in the payload of the lunar gravitational-wave detection mission.