Past Events

Abstract

On 14 September 2015, LIGO recorded the first ever gravitational-wave detection. GW150914, the signal of a binary black hole merger, marks the start of gravitational-wave astronomy. I will present the results from the first month of the first observing run of Advanced LIGO, including the discovery of GW150914 and what we have learned from it.

About the Speaker

Tjonnie Li received his BA and MSci in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge (2009), and his PhD in Physics from the Dutch National Institute for Subatomic Physics (Nikhef)/VU University Amsterdam (2013). Prior to joining the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2015, he spent 2 years at the California Institute of Technology as a Rubicon Postdoctoral Fellow. His research interests are in gravitational-wave physics, and he has been involved with the Virgo and LIGO projects since 2009. His awards include the 2013 Stefano Braccini Prize for the international best thesis in gravitational-wave physics.

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Physics colloquium series is organized to introduce cutting edge researches and new development in physics, designed to be suitable to graduate and undergraduate students, and also to scientists working on different fields. Each colloquium will generally start with an extensive introduction of the background of the field, followed by forefront research topics and results. The colloquium will serve as an education forum for students and laymen alike, and also serve as a platform for exchange and update their knowledge of various branches of physics among academic staff members.

Coffee and tea will be served 20 minutes prior to the colloquium.
Anyone interested is welcome to attend.