Faculty Host: Daniel Gauthier
Precision astrophysical spectroscopy is a crucial tool for the discovery and study of planets around other stars (exoplanets) via the periodic Doppler shift of stellar lines induced by orbiting planets. However, the sensitivity of broadband astrophysical spectrographs to low-mass planets is currently limited by the stability and precision of existing wavelength calibration sources. In particular, to find a one-Earth-mass planet in an Earth-like orbit around a Sun-like star, an order of magnitude improvement in wavelength calibration is necessary. I will describe our ongoing efforts to use laser frequency combs to solve this problem.
Coffee and cookies before the presentation at 3:15 pm, and refreshments after the presentation will both be served in Room 128.