Searching for new physics with a levitated-sensor-based gravitational-wave detector

Understand

The Levitated Sensor Detector (LSD) is a compact resonant gravitational-wave (GW) detector based on optically trapped dielectric particles that is under construction.

• The LSD sensitivity has more favorable frequency scaling at high frequencies compared to laser interferometer detectors such as LIGO.
• We propose a method to substantially improve the sensitivity by optically levitating a multi-layered stack of dielectric discs.
• These stacks allow the use of a more massive levitated object while exhibiting minimal photon recoil heating due to light scattering.