MAGIS-100: Mid-band gravitational wave detection with precision atomic sensors

We propose the development of a prototype gravitational wave detector capable of detecting gravitational waves in the frequency band 300 mHz to 3 Hz, a frequency band intermediate between the LIGO detector and the proposed European Space Agency LISA detector. The detector’s operation principle is based on atom de Broglie wave interferometry, which offers unique capabilities in this frequency range. The proposed detector exploits recent advances in the fields of precision atom interferometry and optical frequency metrology. GBMF funds are requested to build and operate a 100 m instrument at Fermi National Laboratory. The instrument will be developed by a consortium of investigators at Stanford University, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, and University of Liverpool. The proposed five year development program will produce new searches for dark matter and eliminate technical risk for a follow-on kilometer baseline detector.