News Physics

A new gravitational wave detector is almost ready to join the search

Japan’s KAGRA experiment tests new techniques for spotting ripples in spacetime

KAGRA experiment

DEEP AND COLD  Chilled mirrors and an underground hideout (shown) should help the KAGRA experiment in its upcoming search for gravitational waves.

ICRR, Univ. of Tokyo

By Emily Conover

In the quest for better gravitational wave detectors, scientists are going cold.

An up-and-coming detector called KAGRA aims to spot spacetime ripples by harnessing advanced technological twists: chilling key components to temperatures hovering just above absolute zero, and placing the ultrasensitive setup in an enormous underground cavern.