EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION
This white paper outlines a significant opportunity to expand the LIGO network of gravitational wave interferometers, which would greatly enhance the scientific returns on the NSF’s investment in Advanced LIGO.
The Gravitational Wave International Committee (GWIC), part of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), has unveiled a 30-year strategic roadmap for gravitational wave science This plan prioritizes the expansion of a global network of advanced gravitational wave interferometers, centered on Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo, by incorporating a comparable detector in the Southern Hemisphere Such a network, with detectors spaced across continents, would enable precise localization of gravitational wave sources to within ten square degrees, facilitating effective follow-up observations using wide-field optical telescopes and other instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum Currently, without a Southern Hemisphere instrument, the necessary pointing accuracy is limited to a restricted area of the sky, primarily perpendicular to the alignment of the existing LIGO and Virgo sites.
An optimally aligned instrument in the southern hemisphere would enhance the network's ability to gather crucial data on gravitational wave polarization, thereby improving the accuracy of parameter measurements for astrophysical sources like neutron-star and black-hole binary inspirals, while also increasing the network's duty cycle.
The establishment of a gravitational wave detector in the southern hemisphere has become increasingly important with the ongoing development of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo To meet the timeline requirements, the optimal solution is to utilize the well-characterized Gingin site in Western Australia By repurposing technical components from one of the existing Advanced LIGO instruments and constructing a vacuum system at Gingin using local resources, the LIGO-Australia instrument can be effectively implemented This facility will operate as an integral part of the LIGO network, enhancing global gravitational wave detection capabilities.
LIGO-Australia aims to relocate one of the three Advanced LIGO interferometers to Australia, creating a southern hemisphere node in the global gravitational wave telescope network Construction and acceptance of this instrument could be completed as early as 2017, shortly after the anticipated acceptance of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo instruments A crucial milestone for this project is the final decision to proceed with LIGO-Australia, which must be made by the third quarter of 2011 Following this decision, the installation of components for the second interferometer at Hanford will commence.
The LIGO Scientific Collaboration, led by Prof Rai Weiss from MIT, has evaluated the scientific advantages of establishing a third Advanced LIGO interferometer in Australia The committee found that this location significantly enhances the capability to pinpoint gravitational wave sources in the sky, improving positional accuracy by a factor of 5-10 across a substantial portion of the sky With reasonable signal-to-noise ratios, the uncertainty in position can be reduced to nearly 1 square degree, facilitating electromagnetic identification of sources Additionally, the inclusion of the Australian instrument enhances source parameter estimation and waveform reconstruction, with the full report available in Appendix D.
LIGO-Australia is set to be a second-generation gravitational wave interferometer, utilizing Advanced LIGO components within a vacuum system Australia will provide essential infrastructure, including site preparation, roads, and buildings, along with the necessary staff for assembly, installation, testing, and scientific operations Additionally, Australia will cover operational costs for a minimum of ten years, as well as ancillary expenses such as shipping, management, and duties Consequently, LIGO-Australia will not require any extra funding or equipment from the US beyond the Advanced LIGO components for its construction or ongoing operations.
The construction phase of LIGO-Australia will be governed by a primary management agreement exclusively between the US and Australia, with potential involvement from other international partners upon joint approval This significant "big science" project will be managed within Australia, establishing the Australian International Gravitational-Wave Observatory (AIGO) Laboratory, led by a consortium of multiple universities with the University of Western Australia at the forefront The selection of key personnel, including the AIGO Director, project head, and project manager, will require the approval of the LIGO Laboratory Director.
To ensure that LIGO-Australia achieves scientific capabilities comparable to the Advanced LIGO instruments in the US, any modifications to its design, configuration, or technical implementation will be restricted and must receive written approval from the LIGO Laboratory Director If these changes impact top-level performance parameters, approval from the NSF will also be necessary Additionally, LIGO Laboratory staff will engage in all significant design and progress reviews of LIGO-Australia and provide consultation on an as-needed basis.
During the operational phase of LIGO-Australia, the AIGO facility will be collaboratively managed by institutions from the US and Australia, forming a crucial part of the LIGO network Functioning as a third LIGO observatory site, LIGO-Australia will adhere to the overarching programmatic guidance and oversight provided by the LIGO Laboratory Director, in consultation with the AIGO Director.
The NSF is anticipated to maintain ownership of the LIGO-South interferometer components provided to LIGO-Australia, similar to its ownership of the US LIGO facilities, with details to be outlined in upcoming formal agreements To ensure effective coordination across the LIGO network, the AIGO Director and the AIGO operations leader will join the LIGO Laboratory Executive Committee alongside the US site heads Additionally, an oversight body for the AIGO Laboratory will be established, comprising representatives from key stakeholders, including the LIGO Laboratory, Caltech, MIT, the NSF, and both Australian and international stakeholders.
The LIGO-Australia initiative is designed to minimize any effects on the Advanced LIGO project Active staff from Advanced LIGO will not participate in LIGO-Australia while they have ongoing project responsibilities The only impact on these staff members will be related to project management adjustments to integrate LIGO-Australia changes, along with a limited amount of time dedicated to reviews and consultations.
The Advanced LIGO MREFC construction project will see a reduction in scope, eliminating the need for a third interferometer installation and testing, which could lead to cost savings of $4-8 million and a timeline reduction of up to 6 months for the acceptance of the second interferometer These savings should be strategically reinvested to bolster funding and schedule contingencies, minimizing risks associated with timely and budget-compliant project completion Additionally, some of the funds can be allocated to support essential pre-operational activities within the MREFC, leveraging staff resources freed up from the reduced installation and testing efforts.
LIGO-Australia faces several uncertainties that could jeopardize its success, including reliance on non-US funding, construction and project management capabilities, and the availability of experienced scientific and technical staff in Australia To address these risks, the LIGO Laboratory and the Australian consortium have implemented measures to ensure effective management of operations, maintain performance standards, and integrate LIGO-Australia into the broader LIGO network.
ACIGA (the Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy) and the Deputy Vice Chancellors for research from five Australian universities involved in LIGO-Australia have acknowledged a series of conditions and requirements These stipulations are designed to ensure the successful collaboration and operational integrity of the project.
• that solid funding commitments by Australia to build LIGO-Australia and operate it are in place before a final commitment to send Advanced LIGO components to Australia is made,
SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENT FOR A LIGO-AUSTRALIA
This section outlines the rationale behind the current LIGO baseline, emphasizing the necessity for an expanded international network due to astronomical interfaces It provides a heuristic explanation of the importance of a southern hemisphere detector for achieving optimal all-sky angular resolution Additionally, it summarizes key findings from the LIGO Scientific Collaboration report, which compares the existing setup with the proposed relocation of the second LIGO Hanford detector to Australia.
The initial and Advanced LIGO network configurations
The original LIGO proposal submitted to the NSF in 1989 included a design featuring 4km interferometers at both sites, along with a 2km interferometer at Hanford The rationale behind implementing three interferometers, especially the 2km configuration at Hanford, was to enhance detection capabilities.
To enhance the detection of gravitational waves and minimize accidental coincidences, particularly in the presence of non-Gaussian noise, an additional detector is proposed This new detector will address the recognized correlations between the 4km and 2km detectors caused by environmental effects Importantly, the capability to veto events detected by the primary 4km instruments will serve as a crucial function in improving the accuracy of gravitational wave observations.
2 Provide an additional consistency test for candidate gravitational wave events through the amplitude ratio proportionality with length between the 2 and 4km detectors
The decision to position two interferometers within the Hanford vacuum system was primarily influenced by budget considerations, as introducing a third site to the original LIGO project would have raised costs by approximately 30% Ideally, if financial constraints were not a factor, the preferred option would have been to establish the third LIGO detector at a distinctly separate location from the existing two detectors.
Our experience with initial LIGO has enhanced our understanding of its potential benefits The tests for amplitude and waveform consistency proved invaluable, especially with the addition of Virgo as a third interferometer site, which reduced noise correlations and improved sensitivity However, it has been observed that correlated noise sources often stem from the corner station, indicating that sharing a corner station may negate the benefits of not sharing common end stations.
The Advanced LIGO program will transition its 2km detector at Hanford into a second 4km instrument, enhancing its detection capabilities for gravitational waves Initially, the lack of plans to upgrade Virgo and uncertainty regarding funding led to the decision for a second Hanford detector to ensure robust detection capacity The ability to conduct triple coincidence measurements is crucial due to the unpredictable nature of short-duration non-Gaussian noise Recently, the CNRS and INFN have approved the Advanced Virgo Project, which aims to upgrade Virgo to match the sensitivity and construction timeline of Advanced LIGO.
The LIGO-Virgo collaboration, established during the initial detector phase and extended into the Advanced Detector era, lessens the necessity for a third interferometer to operate concurrently and in the same configuration as the two Advanced LIGO detectors For additional details regarding Virgo's plans for Advanced Virgo, please refer to Appendix C.
The inclusion of the Virgo interferometer in the detection network significantly reduces the reliance on the second Advanced LIGO detector at Hanford for achieving a secure first detection The network's false alarm rate is heavily influenced by the noise characteristics, especially non-Gaussian components By enhancing the detector's performance or adopting stricter data analysis methods to approximate Gaussian noise, adding another detector increases the network's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by the square root of the number of detectors, although not dramatically This enhancement is evident for binary neutron star inspirals but has yet to be realized for unmodeled bursts.
The third Advanced LIGO detector plays a crucial role in the ongoing era of regular gravitational wave detections, primarily focusing on gravitational wave astrophysics It can be configured to operate in a narrow band mode, enhancing sensitivity to specific sources like neutron star oscillations, while still conducting broadband observations alongside the first two LIGO interferometers Additionally, it serves as a testbed for potential enhancements to the Advanced LIGO detectors Even if one detector is offline, the network can revert to a three-site configuration, maintaining operational continuity for scientific exploration.
Gravitational waves as a component in multi-messenger astronomy
The emergence of Advanced LIGO and similar projects worldwide has sparked increased interest among scientists, especially astronomers, in gravitational wave observations This trend reflects a broader movement in astronomy to utilize all available observational methods to address specific challenges, highlighting the unique and significant role that gravitational waves play in this multifaceted approach to research.
The complementary information contained in the gravitational wave signals can be combined with electromagnetic observations in many ways:
The inspiral signals of compact binary systems, such as neutron stars and black holes, serve as a self-calibrating distance indicator in the moments leading up to their merger This method operates independently of traditional astrophysical distance ladders By correlating these signals with their respective host galaxies, researchers can provide a novel test for the redshift-distance relationship.
Short Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) are believed to originate from the mergers of binary neutron stars or neutron star-black hole pairs The simultaneous detection of a localized gravitational wave alongside a gamma ray would confirm that these mergers are the sources of short hard GRBs and provide insights into the progenitor masses Additionally, analyzing the polarization of the gravitational wave signal can reveal the orbit's inclination angle, which, when combined with gamma ray observations, helps to refine our understanding of gamma ray beaming.
• Combined observations of gravitational waves, neutrinos and the electromagnetic spectrum can give new insights into core collapse supernovas
A fascinating scenario arises when the gravitational wave network detects an unexpected event, prompting the need for electromagnetic (EM) observations to gain insights into the astrophysical processes responsible for generating the gravitational waves.
The growing interest in combined gravitational wave/electromagnetic observations is evidenced by the number of papers submitted to the US Astronomy Decadal Survey Panel 3
The effective synergy between gravitational wave observations and other astronomical data relies on accurately correlating gravitational wave signals with electromagnetic data from the same events Achieving this requires precise localization of gravitational wave sources, ideally within error boxes of a few degrees or less, to enable swift follow-up observations across the electromagnetic spectrum.
The Gravitational Wave International Committee (GWIC) has established a 30-year strategic roadmap aimed at advancing gravitational wave science This roadmap highlights the importance of integrating gravitational wave observations with broader astrophysical research A primary focus is on developing a global network of second-generation (Advanced) ground-based detectors that can monitor the entire sky, with particular emphasis on the need for a detector located in the southern hemisphere.
The need for a Southern Hemisphere detector
IMPLEMENTATION OF LIGO-AUSTRALIA
The implementation strategy consists of two key phases: first, identifying the necessary steps to reach a decision on whether to proceed with the project; second, outlining the execution plan for the project if it receives funding and approval This section will address both phases, with the initial steps being more detailed than the execution plan.
The timing of the project is primarily constrained by the ongoing Advanced LIGO schedule, which is set to commence assembly of the third interferometer by mid-2011, with installation planned for the end of the third quarter of that year Any delays in installation activities beyond this timeframe will result in a delay for the overall project, impacting all necessary conditions for LIGO-Australia.
To secure formal approvals, it is crucial that commitments for construction and operation, along with management agreements, are fulfilled by the September 30, 2011 deadline Although this timeline presents challenges, the unique opportunity at hand necessitates our efforts to meet it Should the proposed approach in this white paper be unfeasible, Appendix B outlines two less desirable backup options, which, while not thoroughly analyzed, carry significant drawbacks These include prolonged delays in operational readiness for the Australian interferometer, potential disruptions to Advanced LIGO science operations due to the shutdown of Hanford for equipment transfer, and the need for key personnel to construct new components Additionally, these backup options entail considerable extra costs compared to the original plan.
In response to the urgent need for action, leading Australian universities are collaborating to seize a significant opportunity The Deputy Vice-Chancellors for Research from the five top institutions in ACIGA have committed funds to establish a dedicated laboratory, known as the AIGO Laboratory The University of Western Australia has been selected to spearhead this initiative due to its close proximity to the proposed AIGO site.
Refining cost estimates for the facilities in Australia is a top priority, as accurate estimates are crucial for securing government construction funds The LIGO Laboratory has provided detailed fabrication and architectural drawings, which Australian firms are using to generate cost estimates without modifications While the building design will need adjustments to meet local practices, the essential footprint and functional requirements remain intact Staffing costs, along with these estimates, will constitute the majority of construction expenses, with additional modest costs for project management, furnishings, support equipment, and training related to the Advanced LIGO project Additionally, developing an operations cost estimate based on the LIGO model, tailored to local conditions, is equally important.
A top priority is to identify key positions and potential candidates for these roles, despite the uncertainty surrounding the proposed project The aim is to find qualified individuals and gauge their interest if the project proceeds ACIGA and UWA are tasked with identifying and reaching out to candidates, although LIGO Lab must approve all key personnel Meanwhile, the project will depend on interim personnel to lay the necessary groundwork.
The LIGO Lab is seeking input, approval, and support from the NSF to advance its plans in Australia, collaborating with university partners While full project approval is not feasible at this stage due to numerous uncertainties, the Lab requests guidance on necessary conditions for a favorable decision and the timeline for meeting them It is advisable to notify the NSB, OMB, and relevant Congressional staff about the project's scientific benefits while clarifying that discussions are preliminary and formal approval is not yet attainable Gathering insights from these offices on issues that must be addressed prior to approval is crucial for timely resolution This white paper will also serve to inform Advanced LIGO partners, including the UK’s Science and Technology Funding Council, the Max Planck Society, and the Australian Research Council, regarding the redirection of their equipment contributions to support this initiative.
The ACIGA universities are poised to establish the AIGO Laboratory, aiming to secure approximately AU$100 million in funding from the Australian government for their project Given Australia's economy is about 7% the size of the US's, this represents a significant investment Encouraging discussions with university and government officials suggest potential funding opportunities, especially through the Education Investment Fund (EIF), which has previously supported large-scale university infrastructure projects While typical EIF projects are around AU$40 million, there have been instances of funding reaching AU$90 million The AIGO facility's costs may be justified with multi-university backing and international contributions, but the timing of future EIF funding remains uncertain If EIF funding is unavailable, a direct request to the government may be necessary, relying on the prestige of the ACIGA universities at the Vice-Chancellor level Crucially, support from the NSF would enhance the chances of securing Australian funding.
AIGO needs to secure operational funding since the EIF program does not provide ongoing support Achieving the required funding level will likely necessitate contributions from various sources, including the Western Australia State Government, ACIGA universities, and the Australian Research Council (ARC) However, managing multiple funding sources will present a significant challenge.
To ensure successful funding efforts, it is crucial for all stakeholders—including LIGO Laboratory, NSF, Caltech, MIT, ACIGA universities, AIGO Laboratory, and relevant Australian authorities—to establish a shared understanding of the necessary formal agreements and commitments required for future collaboration.
7 EIF, http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/EIF/Pages/default.aspx this would at a minimum require a Memorandum of Understanding between the LIGO Laboratory and the AIGO Laboratory
These steps leading to a decision to proceed (or not) are shown in the following figure, with strawman times and durations.
The strawman schedule outlines the necessary steps leading to a decision on whether to proceed, acknowledging that certain activities may be affected by unknown factors, such as the timeline for an EIF proposal round and the duration of the NSF evaluation of the proposed plan Based on the best estimates available, this timeline projects a decision date of July 1, 2011, allowing for a few months of contingency compared to the latest possible decision date for Advanced LIGO.
If the necessary conditions for a favorable decision on Project 8 are not met by the third quarter of 2011, the LIGO Laboratory will move forward with the installation of the third Advanced LIGO interferometer at Hanford While the demand for a southern hemisphere component in the global gravitational wave network will persist, efforts to expand in that region will face significant delays, leading to increased costs and extended timelines for achieving comprehensive coverage.
Securing funding and meeting necessary conditions are essential steps before seeking final approval from the NSF, targeted for the third quarter of 2011 Upon receiving approval, the next phase involves finalizing and signing the formal documents, marking a significant milestone in the process.
Securing funding of this magnitude in Australia within a limited timeframe presents the most significant risk of failure Additionally, there may be other formidable challenges, including irreconcilable management differences and unresolved legal issues However, fostering scientific collaboration could enhance public engagement in both the US and Australia, creating valuable outreach opportunities.
Upon the approval of the LIGO-Australia project, Advanced LIGO management will reorganize its activities to facilitate the installation, verification, and testing of a third interferometer Components for this interferometer will be placed in clean storage until they can be shipped to Australia Additionally, both the LIGO Laboratory and the AIGO Laboratory will need to explore and fulfill the necessary import and export requirements.
One of the first steps in Australia after the decision to proceed will be to staff the organization.
MANAGEMENT
The management of the LIGO-Australia project can be divided into three key phases: preconstruction, construction, and operations This article outlines the management strategies currently employed by the LIGO Laboratory and AIGO partners during the preconstruction phase, as well as the anticipated approaches for the subsequent phases.
The LIGO Requirements Document (LIGO-M1000009-v2; January 18, 2010), authored by the LIGO Laboratory Director with input from senior staff, outlines essential conditions and requirements for collaboration between the US and Australian parties It emphasizes the necessity of fulfilling these requirements to ensure the success of significant investments from both nations Key management strategies discussed in the document will guide the partnership, and an MOU will be established between the LIGO Laboratory or a relevant US agency and the appropriate Australian governing body to address these conditions The document is included as Appendix A in this white paper.
To prevent delays in the international arrangements for constructing AIGO and LIGO-Australia, we propose that the main governing agreement be exclusively between the US and Australia, the primary leaders of this initiative While the involvement of other international participants in scientific, technical, or resource capacities is welcomed, they will operate within a framework established by the two leading contributors Any additional partners will need joint approval from both the US and Australia.
During the preconstruction phase of LIGO-Australia, management will be coordinated by the AIGO Laboratory at the University of Western Australia, with support from five major Australian universities: UWA, Australian National University, Monash University, University of Adelaide, and University of Melbourne UWA, alongside these institutions, will secure funding for the construction and operation of LIGO-Australia and will identify and hire essential personnel, including the AIGO Director, project leader, and project manager To ensure the selected staff possess the necessary skills and experience, the LIGO Laboratory will evaluate candidates, requiring the approval of the LIGO Laboratory Director for all key project positions.
The management of LIGO-Australia is overseen by the LIGO Laboratory Director, who also serves as the Principal Investigator for Advanced LIGO Day-to-day interactions with the Australian Consortium for Gravitational Astronomy (ACIGA) are delegated to the LIGO Laboratory Chief Scientist, who possesses significant experience within the Australian gravitational wave community and the AIGO consortium Additionally, the LIGO Director collaborates with the head of the Advanced LIGO Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) Project to assess any potential impacts of LIGO-Australia on the overall Advanced LIGO Project.
The construction phase will involve two distinct, but dependent activities:
• designing and implementing the AIGO site infrastructure, including roads and buildings, developing, constructing and testing the extensive vacuum system, and
• completing assembly of LIGO-Australia components and then installing and testing the assemblies, subsystems and the full interferometer in the AIGO facilities
The AIGO facilities' construction phase will be overseen by AIGO Laboratory, utilizing standard project management practices for Australian federally funded projects, while also considering the interests of stakeholders like the LIGO Laboratory and NSF This management structure will encompass a project head, lead project engineer, formal project management, subsystem leads, design reviews, a change control process, and periodic progress reviews AIGO Laboratory, along with ACIGA university leaders, will be responsible for these activities, ensuring LIGO laboratory personnel are involved in all reviews and that formal reports are shared with them Additionally, the AIGO construction management plan requires approval from both the LIGO Laboratory and NSF.
The LIGO-Australia detector will be constructed using Advanced LIGO components provided by the LIGO laboratory, with funding sourced from non-US entities The AIGO Laboratory will oversee the construction while integrating management with the Advanced LIGO project to leverage insights gained from the US installation and commissioning AIGO personnel will gain essential experience by participating in the installation and testing of Advanced LIGO, with technical oversight from the Advanced LIGO project organization during their time in the US The LIGO-Australia project leader will manage assembly and installation at AIGO and report technical matters to the Advanced LIGO leadership, while formal supervision, including employment aspects, will remain under the AIGO Laboratory's purview.
The construction project will feature multiple advisory panels, including a project advisory panel, an oversight panel, and potentially a management advisory panel These panels will consist of international experts and will report directly to the AIGO Laboratory Director or the project head as needed Stakeholder institutions, such as the LIGO Laboratory and NSF, will be represented on the oversight panel.
To ensure the successful construction of LIGO-Australia, it is essential to implement LIGO designs in the building and vacuum system This approach will guarantee that the instrument meets the performance and operational standards required by the LIGO network Additionally, experienced LIGO personnel will be involved in critical design and review processes to maintain quality and efficacy.
The success of the AIGO project hinges on the expertise and experience of its staff, making it essential to develop a comprehensive staffing plan promptly after the laboratory's establishment and the appointment of a Director This plan must be submitted to the LIGO Laboratory for review and approval It is crucial that the construction project team possesses the necessary skills to execute the project and operate LIGO-Australia independently, with minimal reliance on LIGO Laboratory Additionally, naming key scientists and engineering candidates in the staffing plan will illustrate the availability of qualified personnel to support AIGO effectively.
While the operational phase of LIGO-Australia is still about seven years away, it is crucial to establish fundamental management principles, which are outlined in the Requirements Document (Appendix A).
• Australia would be fully responsible for funding the operation of the AIGO facility The
US will provide no funding for the operation of the facility.
LIGO-Australia will function as a third LIGO observatory, aligned with the global network of ground-based interferometers and under the guidance of the LIGO Laboratory Directorate in collaboration with the AIGO Director Its operations will be conducted in consultation with Australian management, taking into account local constraints similar to those at the US sites, LHO and LLO The day-to-day management will be overseen by the AIGO site director, ensuring that AIGO Laboratory has equal representation in LIGO Laboratory's management structures to enhance communication and decision-making Additionally, LIGO-Australia's data will be fully integrated with data from the other LIGO sites and Virgo, facilitating access for the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) and the Virgo Collaboration, with ACIGA being a member of the LSC and having complete access to all LIGO data.
• LIGO-Australia would fully conform to the LIGO data management plan that the LIGO Laboratory is establishing for open data release to the broader research community
AIGO is responsible for assembling a qualified team to ensure the successful installation, testing, and commissioning of LIGO-Australia While the LIGO Laboratory will offer guidance, support, and oversight through regular remote interactions and occasional on-site visits, it will not be able to provide ongoing on-site personnel for these processes.
The management structure for the operations phase of AIGO Laboratory will be designed to ensure effective operations, scientific support, and integration into the global gravitational wave community This structure must consider the responsibilities of the Australian university consortium and various stakeholders, including funding agencies like the NSF and international partners providing resources and support In collaboration with LIGO Laboratory, the governing Australian institutions will develop appropriate management frameworks, such as a governing board and advisory committees, well in advance of the operations phase This approach will ensure that LIGO Laboratory has a significant role in the management of the LIGO-Australia detector while addressing local issues related to the AIGO facility.
AUSTRALIAN FUNDING NEEDS AND APPROACH
As described above, obtaining funding is a crucial prerequisite for the LIGO-Australia concept.
This section outlines the funding requirements, the methodology being employed, and the current progress and status ACIGA aims to secure funding via AIGO-Lab, a University Centre at UWA, dedicated to the construction and operation of the LIGO-Australia detector.
The LIGO-Australia initiative plans to establish an Advanced LIGO interferometer, which will be supplied by LIGO/NSF, while AIGO will handle the assembly, installation, testing, and commissioning within infrastructure, vacuum systems, and buildings provided by AIGO.
To effectively estimate costs and manage work for the Advanced LIGO Project, ACIGA has implemented a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) that includes five second-level elements One of these elements will be partially delivered within a LIGO package.
US, while the other four must be covered in full by the AIGO Laboratory.
Figure 6 WBS for the LIGO-Australia Project
The LIGO-Australia detector follows a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) similar to the Advanced LIGO Project, consisting of eight key elements: Seismic Isolation Sub-systems (SEI), Suspension Sub-systems (SUS), Core Optics Components (COC), Pre-Stabilized Laser (PSL), Input Optics System (IO), Auxiliary Optics Sub-systems (AOS), Interferometer Sensing and Control (ISC), and Data Acquisition, Diagnostic, & Control (DAQ) LIGO is tasked with providing and safely packaging these components for shipment, while the AIGO Laboratory will handle the shipping costs to the AIGO site in Western Australia, which are determined by the weight and size of the components.
The eight WBS elements under the Detector WBS have been analyzed to determine which components may not be provided by LIGO For instance, while LIGO will supply the DAQ subsystem's front end interfaces and computers to AIGO, other critical elements like the Frame builder and control room workstation computers, intended for shared use between the two Hanford detectors, will not be included Additionally, certain installation fixtures will remain at Hanford post-installation for potential component removal and rework, necessitating AIGO Laboratory to replicate these items.
AIGO laboratory covers the shipping costs to Australia, as well as the expenses associated with assembling each Detector sub-product and integrating them into the complete detector Utilizing data provided by LIGO, ACIGA has calculated the costs for assembly, testing, and verification of these components based on local labor rates.
AIGO Laboratory is responsible for delivering four key second-level WBS products for the project: Project Management (PM) for the Australian segment, Infrastructure (INF) encompassing buildings and operational facilities for LIGO-Australia, the Vacuum System (VAC) which includes the 4 km beam tubes and associated vacuum components, and the Integration, Test, and Verification (ITV) of the entire observatory.
The cost estimation for the Australian ITV element was based on Advanced LIGO's financial figures, incorporating local labor rates and hours A bottom-up approach was employed to determine the construction and staffing costs for the INF and VAC projects The UWA facilities branch utilized LIGO building designs to calculate FAC expenses, while a commercial vacuum firm relied on LIGO vacuum system fabrication drawings for their cost assessments Additionally, a similar bottom-up methodology was applied to estimate project management costs and staffing necessary for the successful fabrication, integration, testing, and verification of LIGO-Australia.
Each element of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) included contingency estimates, applying the same percentages from the Advanced LIGO cost estimate where available A contingency of 15% was allocated for site preparation and building construction, while a 25% contingency was assigned to the vacuum system, reflecting the LIGO Laboratory's experience during the construction of its vacuum systems.
AIGO Laboratory estimates that approximately AU$80 million is needed to build a functioning gravitational wave observatory utilizing the LIGO-Australia detector Before submitting any funding proposals, LIGO intends to thoroughly review the cost estimates to ensure their completeness and accuracy.
5.2.Potential Funding Sources for Construction
ACIGA is actively pursuing four avenues of funding for the construction phase of LIGO- Australia.
The Australian Federal Government offers funding through the Education Investment Fund (EIF), established in 2008 to support significant infrastructure projects in research institutions This multi-billion dollar initiative aims to enhance Australia's research capabilities and boost its international competitiveness LIGO-Australia is a prime candidate for EIF funding, particularly due to its collaboration with LIGO and the contributions it brings to the research landscape.
Since 2008, three rounds of the EIF have been announced, with the second round distributing AU$934M to thirty-one projects, the largest receiving AU$90M Although the results of the latest round are pending, another call for proposals is expected by October Additionally, there may be opportunities for out-of-round EIF bids or direct government requests for special funding To succeed in the EIF process, applicants must secure substantial co-investments and operational cost guarantees from stakeholders The Australian consortium intends to request AU$60-70M from the EIF.
The Western Australian State Government has a history of funding major initiatives like the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) at the University of Western Australia (UWA) However, this financial support is often provided on an ad hoc basis, influenced by the timing, the government's financial health, and potential political advantages The Australian consortium intends to request UWA to secure between AU$10-15 million from the WA government to help cover construction expenses.
The ACIGA universities, which include The University of Western Australia (UWA), The Australian National University (ANU), The University of Adelaide (UA), The University of Melbourne, and Monash University, are committed to supporting the AIGO project These institutions will provide essential manpower and technical expertise, alongside a significant financial contribution The Australian consortium aims to raise between AU$5-10 million for the initiative through these collaborative efforts.
International collaboration in LIGO-Australia is promising, with gravitational wave research communities from India and China expressing interest in contributing personnel during the construction phase However, these contributions will necessitate new funding, as they are anticipated to be "in-kind." Currently, we are assisting our international colleagues in securing financial support from their governments, which will enhance the project and mitigate risks, although these contributions are not included in the initial funding estimates.
STAFFING
The staffing model for AIGO construction and LIGO-Australia encompasses three key phases: construction, detector installation and commissioning, and operation Staffing needs have been informed by the valuable insights gained from LIGO's operational experience.
The following key staff appointments require the approval of the LIGO laboratory Director:
The AIGO Laboratory Director, a physicist or astronomer, oversees the AIGO Laboratory's operations, including the construction and management of LIGO-Australia This role involves fostering relationships with Australian funding agencies, universities, and research groups, as well as establishing industry partnerships and international collaborations Additionally, the director will serve as a member of the LIGO Laboratory Directorate.
Project Leader: Physicist with overall responsibility for the LIGO-Australia detector, including interfacing with the Advanced LIGO Project leadership Reports to AIGO Laboratory Director.
Project Manager: Responsible for management of budgets, procurements, schedules, timelines, staffing Reports to Project Leader.
The Lead Detector System Scientist plays a crucial role in offering technical guidance to the leaders of the detector subsystems and ensuring effective coordination for testing and verification processes This position involves leading the commissioning of the LIGO-Australia detector and directly reporting to the Project Leader.
Project Engineer: Systems engineer overall responsibility for all engineering practices, systems integration and interferometer installation Reports to the Project Leader.
Other critical positions are the responsibility of the AIGO laboratory and do not require LIGO approval These include:
Vacuum Engineer: Technical responsibility for oversight of vacuum infrastructure design update, fabrication contract(s), equipment procurements, installation and test Reports to AIGO Laboratory Director.
Civil Engineer: Technical responsibility for oversight of site development and civil construction, including building design, construction contract(s), facility equipment procurements, and acceptance Reports to AIGO Laboratory Director.
The Detector Subsystem Leaders play a crucial role in overseeing the installation, integration, and testing of their respective subsystems in Australia Each leader must possess in-depth knowledge of their subsystem, which includes Seismic, Suspensions, Lasers and Optics, Input Optics, Control and Data Systems, and Computing They report directly to the Lead Detector System Scientist, ensuring effective collaboration and management throughout the project.
These key positions will be augmented with other scientists, engineers and technical officers, with the staffing profile varying as the project evolves
The construction phase encompasses the development of essential infrastructure, including the site, buildings, laboratories, vacuum systems, and interfaces This phase will involve a workforce sourced from contracted companies, supervised by both the Vacuum Engineer and Civil Engineer, all under the overarching guidance of the AIGO Laboratory Director.
Detector installation and commissioning will be carried out by a team of specialists under the guidance of the Project Leader and the Lead Detector System Scientist The on-site team will consist of approximately five scientists, five engineers, and ten technical officers, supplemented by short-term staff from LIGO Lab and international collaborators It is essential that the scientists and engineers possess qualifications and experience in detector installation and commissioning, along with a comprehensive understanding of their specific subsystems, such as vacuum, optics, and lasers To develop this expertise, many team members will undergo training at the relevant facilities.
During the installation and commissioning of Advanced LIGO at US sites, teams gained valuable experience with design and commissioning techniques, enabling them to efficiently execute similar tasks for the Advanced LIGO project.
Once fully operational, the facility will employ a team of 30 dedicated professionals, including a Director, Chief Scientist, Operations Manager, detector scientists, engineers, and administrative staff, alongside 10 operators The organizational structure will transition from a hierarchical project model to a more streamlined scientific operations framework, similar to the US LIGO sites, ensuring efficient management and operation.
AIGO Laboratory is tasked with recruiting and providing the workforce necessary for the construction, commissioning, and operation of LIGO-Australia Australia has a rich history in laser interferometry for gravitational wave detection, beginning with a collaboration between the University of Western Australia and The Australian National University in 1990, followed by the University of Adelaide joining in 1995 to form the Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy (ACIGA) Currently, ACIGA comprises five universities and over 50 scientists, technicians, and PhD students, specializing in key interferometer subsystems such as suspension and isolation at UWA, high-power lasers at Adelaide, and optical and quantum optical systems at ANU At its Gingin site, ACIGA operates 80-meter long suspended cavity interferometers to test high optical power effects and has active data analysis groups at ANU, UWA, The University of Melbourne, and Monash University Additionally, ACIGA is a partner in Advanced LIGO, contributing designs and components for optical and suspension systems through funding from the Australian Research Council.
Since its inception, ACIGA has successfully graduated 50 PhD students, with 17 currently contributing to prominent gravitational wave observatories like LIGO, GEO, and Virgo, as well as in faculty and research roles at Australian institutions Additionally, 16 alumni have transitioned into related fields, securing positions at institutions such as JPL and various Australian universities Many former ACIGA students, postdocs, and visitors have expressed their excitement about the project and a potential interest in contributing to the development of LIGO-Australia.
The LIGO-Australia team will primarily consist of past and present members of ACIGA, while also welcoming interest from international scientists During the construction of the LIGO-Australia facility and vacuum system, Australian scientists, engineers, and technical staff will actively engage in the installation and commissioning of the US Advanced LIGO detectors, gaining invaluable firsthand experience and expertise essential for the development of LIGO-Australia.
The success of LIGO-Australia is heavily reliant on key leadership appointments We are optimistic about identifying several candidates for critical roles, including the AIGO Laboratory Director, Project Leader, Lead Detector Scientist, and various subsystem leaders and engineering positions Once funding is approved, an interim Director will be appointed while an international search for permanent leadership is conducted Following this process, additional leadership roles will be filled, ensuring necessary approvals from the LIGO Laboratory Director.
IMPACT ON THE ADVANCED LIGO PROJECT
LIGO-Australia presents a valuable opportunity for advancing astrophysical research; however, the primary focus of the Advanced LIGO Project is to ensure that the introduction of LIGO-Australia does not delay the initial detection of gravitational waves, which is expected to occur using the US Advanced LIGO instruments alongside the Advanced Virgo detector Currently, the Advanced LIGO team is committed to executing the original plan of developing, installing, and completing three US-based instruments without distractions, and any significant changes to the project will only be considered after an official decision is reached.
The Project management has evaluated the potential effects of relocating the third Advanced LIGO instrument to Australia, focusing on cost, schedule, and risk If the decision to include an Australian detector is made promptly, it could lead to modest cost savings and an earlier project completion This shift would allow for increased focus on the two US detectors, potentially enhancing their sensitivity post-project However, careful management is necessary to avoid distractions from the Australian effort, although the time offset for similar activities between the US and Australian LIGO may help mitigate these challenges.
The installation and testing of the third interferometer will be managed by AIGO, resulting in cost and schedule efficiencies for the US Advanced LIGO Project Additionally, no substantial changes in expenses are expected for procurement, incoming inspection, inventory, and cleaning processes.
Kitting, which involves some assembly, will be implemented for the equipment destined for Australia, resulting in labor and schedule savings by eliminating the need for final assembly of numerous components This approach also reduces the time required for testing, installation, integration, and acceptance of the third US detector Although a detailed estimate has not been conducted to limit the influence of the pre-decision LIGO-Australia discussions on the Project, initial top-down estimates suggest significant potential savings.
The project is projected to save $7-8 million and complete approximately 4-6 months earlier than the current deadline, contingent on the timely acceptance of two US instruments and the computing system Delaying the decision may necessitate disassembling or de-installing equipment, impacting overall savings The saved funds could enhance project risk management by allowing for additional personnel or equipment Additionally, an early return of staff to the Operations budget is expected to result in labor savings of $2.5-3 million for LIGO Lab Operations.
The schedule savings and decreased integration effort allow for increased focus on the initial two Advanced LIGO instruments This enhanced attention may enable these instruments to achieve significant sensitivity and stability sooner, facilitating earlier searches for gravitational waves.
To mitigate potential risks to Advanced LIGO, several conditions were established for the LIGO-Australia partnership These measures are designed to ensure that the partnership does not adversely affect the timeline for the two remaining US instruments.
The AIGO infrastructure, including its buildings and vacuum system, must closely match the US Observatories to ensure compatibility with the instrument and optimal conditions for the detector Any modifications, even those deemed as enhancements, should be minimized to reduce the workload on the Advanced LIGO project team responsible for reviewing and analyzing these differences.
LIGO-Australia will be built using components based on the original Advanced LIGO design, ensuring consistency and reliability Any additional parts required will be manufactured according to the specifications outlined in the US Advanced LIGO drawings This approach is intended to streamline the process and reduce the workload for the experienced engineers and scientists involved, minimizing the need for extensive reviews of modifications.
To ensure seamless integration and efficiency, the Australian initiative should employ the same inventory control, document control, and laboratory logbook tools as those utilized by Advanced LIGO in the United States This alignment will reduce the effort required for information transfer during the Project phase and facilitate the subsequent tuning and integration of the Australian project with its US counterpart.
The Australian initiative needs to build a robust team equipped with strong management, scientific, and technical expertise to ensure the project's success while minimizing reliance on the US Advanced LIGO Project staff.
Support is essential for planning the Australian effort, including establishing staffing needs and timing of activities Given the expected three-year delay for the readiness of Australian infrastructure, this support will occur after the intense installation phase of Advanced LIGO is completed In the meantime, Australian staff will have opportunities to travel to the US to collaborate with their counterparts.
US staff for these planning and training needs, and offer complementary support to the
US effort; the objective is to ‘break even’ for the US effort.
During all phases of the Advanced LIGO project, the AIGO Laboratory plans to send personnel to the US to assist with the installation and testing of Advanced LIGO, while also training Australian participants for their future roles This collaboration may enable the Advanced LIGO project staff to expedite their activities in the US, allowing them to offer support to the Australians later on Successfully completing US Project activities is essential for any individual seeking substantial involvement in the Australian initiative.
The Advanced LIGO Project Execution plan outlines that the tuning of US instruments will occur post-acceptance, which is essential for achieving the design sensitivity of both the US and potential Australian Advanced LIGO instruments Notably, LIGO-Australia will be identical to the Advanced LIGO detectors in the US.
The tuning and debugging procedures established for the US LIGO instrument will be applicable to the Australian counterpart, leveraging the expertise of Advanced LIGO staff It is crucial for the success of LIGO that US tuning personnel actively participate in the Australian instrument's development post-project Careful management of resources and skill cultivation within the Australian team will be essential to maintain the sensitivity progress of US instruments, despite the geographical distribution Additionally, the delayed installation of LIGO-Australia will aid in this process.
RISKS, POSSIBLE IMPACT AND MITIGATION
The identification of risks associated with establishing an Advanced LIGO interferometer in Australia, along with strategies to mitigate these risks, draws on the extensive experience of the LIGO Laboratory since the 1990s Key risk categories include funding challenges, facility implementation issues, the need for a skilled scientific and technical workforce, and management-related risks Each of these areas is explored in detail to ensure the successful operation of the Australian interferometer.
One of the primary funding risks is the potential discovery of inadequate financial resources for completing the infrastructure project after significant efforts have been made This shortfall can arise from various factors, leading to challenges in project execution and sustainability.
• Australia is unable to provide sufficient funding to completely build the requisite infrastructure at the selected observatory site
• The facilities construction cost estimate carries insufficient contingency to cover unexpected cost growth once the project begins and contracts have been signed.
• The level of effort or duration estimates to complete the construction are underestimated, leading to schedule overruns and standing army costs.
• Australia experience unexpected fiscal pressures that lead to a significant reduction in committed funding levels, causing the program to stretch out well beyond the currently envisioned timeline.
• Large fluctuations in commodity costs that could impact cost of steel and building materials, leading to cost overruns
The expansion of AIGO facilities may lead to delays in LIGO-Australia's integration into the global network, potentially requiring a reduction in its sensitivity This degradation could jeopardize LIGO-Australia's ability to achieve the performance levels necessary to align with Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo.
To ensure the success of LIGO-Australia, securing sufficient funding is critical LIGO emphasizes the necessity of firm commitments from Australian funding sources before the installation of the third interferometer within the Advanced LIGO timeline If reliable funding commitments, along with appropriate contingency levels for construction and subsequent operations, are not guaranteed by the established decision point, the LIGO Laboratory will advise the NSF to continue with the original Advanced LIGO plan.
The LIGO Laboratory prioritizes accurate cost and labor estimates, ensuring that sufficient contingency and staffing are included since the inception of LIGO-Australia Before submission, all estimates undergo thorough reviews to guarantee realistic planning, with results shared with the NSF With extensive experience in constructing facilities and vacuum systems, LIGO's team, including many who managed previous construction at LHO and LLO, possesses the expertise to evaluate the feasibility of costs and contingencies effectively.
Recent fluctuations in commodity prices, especially stainless steel, pose significant concerns due to their impact on vacuum system costs As a leading exporter of raw materials, Australia's currency has strengthened in recent years and is likely to continue doing so with the anticipated recovery of the global economy This strengthening may alleviate some cost pressures on commodities closely linked to the US dollar To address potential price changes, adequate contingency measures will be implemented.
The implementation of the LIGO-Australia facility faces risks related to technical, management, and safety failures, which could result in schedule delays and increased costs These challenges may necessitate assistance from knowledgeable personnel at the LIGO Laboratory to effectively diagnose and resolve issues.
• The critical interfaces between civil construction, beam tubes and vacuum chambers are specified incorrectly Schedule hits are sustained due to equipment redesign and rework.
• Not understanding sufficiently the possible sources of contamination leads to equipment that cannot be cleaned adequately without large, unexpected efforts.
Unit conversion issues pose significant challenges in engineering design and implementation, often resulting in costly rework Common errors include converting meters to feet and kilograms to pounds, as well as incompatibilities between 50 Hz/220VAC and 60 Hz/120VAC systems These discrepancies arise from conflicting specifications of components sourced from the US that need to interface and operate with subsystems provided in Australia.
Implementation failures may lead to higher costs and delays, placing pressure on both financial and human resources Such setbacks could delay the availability of LIGO-Australia data, hindering timely access for the astronomy and gravitational wave research communities.
The potential negative impact on the two US Advanced LIGO detectors is expected to be minimal, as all activities related to the US Advanced LIGO Project will be finished prior to the commencement of the LIGO-Australia installation Additionally, the post-project tuning phases will be scheduled with a significant time gap between them.
To minimize disruptions to LIGO Laboratory operations, particularly the US Advanced LIGO installation and tuning, management will implement strategies that prioritize critical activities Consequently, each phase of LIGO-Australia will be delayed by several years compared to the corresponding Advanced LIGO efforts, ensuring that LIGO Laboratory experts remain available to address issues without jeopardizing US advanced LIGO operations.
The Advanced LIGO detector is specifically designed for installation at LIGO facilities, emphasizing compatibility to minimize interface issues The LIGO Laboratory mandates that AIGO facilities closely replicate the LIGO vacuum system, with any deviations requiring written approval While adjustments will be necessary due to differing building standards in Australia, it is crucial that the vacuum system maintains minimal changes to ensure critical interfaces remain intact.
LIGO will share its extensive cleaning protocols and cleanliness procedures with AIGO, ensuring that all guidelines are adhered to Key AIGO personnel will acquire practical experience in maintaining clean working environments through extended visits during the installation of the initial two interferometers.
Translating LIGO drawings and specifications into metric units will be a top priority in the initial phases of the project Many ACIGA scientists have experience working in the US, which means they are accustomed to US measurement systems, as much of their laboratory equipment originates from the US.
The LIGO laboratory will lend its expertise and oversight to all activities related to LIGO-Australia With skilled staff at ACIGA universities and Australia's strong scientific and technological foundation, we are confident that the LIGO-Australia team will achieve success through effective attitudes and processes.
Risk: Insufficient experienced staff to support the schedule and/or effective commissioning, tuning and operation of the interferometer
• Insufficient numbers of local (Australian) scientists and technical staff are available sufficiently early in the construction process to allow schedule to be maintained.
• Key personnel needed from abroad to fill positions cannot be recruited.