Institute for Advanced Study Informal Astrophysics Seminar

Gravitational waves provide a new window to the universe. Opening new bands in the gravitational spectrum is expected to yield a wealth of information. I will discuss a new experiment: the Mid-band Atomic Gravitational wave Interferometric Sensor (MAGIS). MAGIS aims to observe gravitational waves in the mid-frequency band, roughly 0.01 - 10 Hz, between the LIGO and LISA bands. It relies on high precision atomic interferometry, similar to atomic clock technology, and a long laser baseline to achieve the necessary sensitivity. We have just begun construction of a 100 meter prototype of this detector at Fermilab. I will discuss the design, status, and prospects of this detector, as well as some of the science available in the mid-band. For example, even for sources that would later be observed by LIGO, observation in the mid-band allows greatly improved angular localization and hence the ability to predict the time and location of an upcoming merger well before it happens. The mid-band also allows observation of new sources that are not available in other bands.