Since 2007, VIRGO and LIGO have been bound by a collaboration agreement including the exchange of data recorded by the various detectors and a policy of joint publication of the physics results obtained. This cooperation is necessary: the giant interferometric detectors are not directional (they observe the whole sky) and seek signals of extremely low amplitudes, rare and disturbed by instrumental noises of very varied origins. Thus, only the simultaneous detection of a gravitational wave in several instruments will allow to conclude a discovery and to obtain information on the source of this signal.
The ELGAR antenna concept arises from a growing number of national initiatives and gathers 6 European countries. An extention of the GW detection bandwith towards lower frequencies will have a major impact in the GW community. The project will take advantages of the existing initiatives by demonstrating the mutual benefit of its supports.
• In France
ELGAR technology is already at the centre of the MIGA program, a project carried out by a large community going from quantum science to geoscience and gathering 17 academic and industrial partners.
• In Germany
ELGAR will benefit experiments involving cold atom technologies aimed for geodesy and GW.
• In Greece
ELGAR will generate mutual benefit for the development of large-scale computing infrastructure.
• In Spain
The project is of great interest for the Spanish Gravitational Wave Community which has a strong involvement in the LISA mission such as a participation in the Ligo and Virgo detectors.
• In UK
ELGAR could take advantage of the experience and the over 300 industry connections of the UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing that would enable to explore pathways to economic and societal impact for the infrastructure. ELGAR could also benefit from the large-scale atom interferometry program AION.