\chapter{The low frequency window}
\label{LF}
The scientific research presented in this thesis focuses on the improvement of ground-based gravitational-wave detectors at low frequency. This chapter intends to frame the work done in this context and highlight why the lower frequency window is so important. The discussion around this topic is relatively recent and it has been widely debated during dedicated workshops which the author of this thesis attended since 2018.

\section{Sources of gravitational waves}
Fig. \ref{spec} summarizes the possible objects that can be gravitational-waves sources, their frequency of emission and what kind of instrument can detect them. The terrestrial interferometric detectors are the most involved at present, but the efforts of the scientific community are directed towards the development of new detectors, both ground- and space-based, in order to widen the frequency window of observation.

\begin{figure}[h!]
\centering
\includegraphics[scale=1.6]{images/spectrum}
\caption[Sources of gravitational waves]{Spectrum of emission of sources of gravitational waves (adapted from https://lisa.nasa.gov).}
\label{spec}
\end{figure}

\noindent
The best modelled sources are binary systems, orbiting around a common central point. The Fig. \ref{binary} shows the main phases of the evolution of these kind of systems and the emission of gravitational waves at different frequencies, depending on the phase.

\begin{figure}[h!]
\centering
\includegraphics[scale=0.8]{images/bin.png}
\caption[Phases of gravitational waves emission by a binary system]{The three phases of a Black Hole (BH-BH) binary system emitting gravitational waves (amplitude vs time) \cite{first}. \textbf{Inspiral phase}: the orbits shrink, velocity increases and frequency of the waves emitted increases as $f_{gw} = 2f_{orbital}$. \textbf{Merging phase}: the objects merge and the signal is at maximum. \textbf{Ring-down phase}: a new BH is formed and the signal emitted decreases in frequency as a damped sinusoid.}
\label{binary}
\end{figure}

\noindent
Gravitational waves from binary systems can provide information about the equation of state of Neutron stars, masses and spin of Black Holes and allow for test of General Relativity \cite{wei} \cite{mag}. The interest of the scientific community for these events and their detectors is therefore linked to the possibility of new astrophysical discoveries.\\
Currently, the ground-based observatories are tuned to detect emission mostly from binary systems: the interferometers are the only instruments that have been able to detect gravitational waves from these kind of sources.\\

\noindent
The first detection of gravitational waves happened on the 14th September 2015 and confirmed the Theory of General Relativity, opening a new window on the Universe: the signal from a merger of two black holes have been observed thanks to the emission of gravitational waves, confirming the existence of these objects, still mostly unknown \cite{first}.\\
\noindent
The detector responsible of the new discovery is based in the USA and it is one of the terrestrial interferometers currently in use for gravitational-wave detection \footnote{The working principles of the interferometers and details about the US instrument are explained in Chapter \ref{LIGO}}. 

\section{Opening the low frequency window}
As we will see in the next chapter, the ground-based detectors involved in the search of gravitational waves cover a wide range of frequencies, but they are affected by some noises which make them unable to detect waves from sources emitting below 30 Hz. We will later see the nature of these noises. The reason why it is important to open the lower frequency window is that it can give access to the detection of gravitational waves emitted by sources whose physical structure and astrophysical features are still unknown and also to explore the features of a wave in the earlier phases of the inspiral.\\

\noindent
This is the end towards which a significant part of the scientific collaboration is directed.

\subsection{Frequencies of emission}
The emitted frequency from a source of gravitational waves depends on the masses and the orbital frequency involved\footnote{A detailed derivation of the gravitational-wave equation and how the frequencies of emission depend on the features of the sources can be found in \cite{mag}.} and for mergers of binary systems, the frequency of a gravitational wave is twice the orbital frequency of its source \cite{mag}. Therefore, it can be used to determine the relation between the masses and the time to coalescence, i.e. the time when the two objects merge \footnote{A simple example based on point-like masses in circular orbits is explained in details in \cite{mag}.}. For masses in circular orbits, this is given by:\\

\begin{equation}
\centering
\tau \simeq 2.18 s \left(\dfrac{1.21 M_{\odot}}{M_c}\right)^{5/3} \left(\dfrac{100 Hz}{f_{gw}}\right)^{8/3},
\end{equation}

\noindent
where $M_c$ is the combination of the two involved masses $m_1$ and $m_2$, defined as \textit{chirp mass} $M_c$ = ($m_1$ $\cdot$ $m_2$)$^{3/5}$/($m_1$ + $m_2$)$^{1/5}$.\\
This equation is particularly useful if we want to know information about the radiation emitted by a certain mass, at a certain frequency, at a certain time before the merger. Predictions about this time and the frequency where it is possible to detect the radiation are essential for several reasons, going from efficiency of the detector in detecting different sources to Multimessenger astronomy, in which timing is important to assure a correct localization of the source \cite{branchesi}.\\
In our case of interest, if we apply the lowest range of frequency available by ground-based detectors ($\sim$ 10 Hz in order of magnitude) and consider $M_c$ = 1.21 M$_{\odot}$, it is possible to observe the radiation emitted at $\tau$ = 17 minutes to coalescence. Hence the equation says that the larger the time to coalescence is, the smaller the masses involved are \footnote{A useful exercise to prove this is by applying the Kepler's law for different emitting frequencies and masses. Some interesting examples are given in \cite{mag}.}.\\
Recalling Fig. \ref{spec}, the range of the frequencies of emission below 10 Hz lies almost entirely in the domain of the space-based detectors. Opening this frequency window would allow the ground-based detectors to access to a frequency bandwidth which has still not been investigated and would allow the detection from sources whose physics is still unknown. 

\subsection{Redshifted frequencies}
When dealing with cosmological objects, we need to take into account the contribution of the redshift z: in the case of gravitational waves, the redshift acts on the observed frequency. In a cosmological context, the time-scale is redshifted, and so is the frequency observed $f_{obs}$ with respect to the emitted one $f_{gw}$ by \cite{mag} \cite{nar}:

\begin{equation}
\centering
f_{obs} = f_{gw}/(1+z).
\end{equation}

\noindent
The implication of this effect lies in a factor (1+z) multiplied to the masses involved \cite{mag}.\\
An important consequence is that if the instrument could detect in a broader range of lower frequencies, it is possible to identify objects located at higher redshifts, i.e. more ancient, or apparent high masses increased by the cosmological distance \cite{yu}. Examples of these objects are Intermediate Mass Black Holes (IMBH) or stellar-mass BHs, whose nature and physics are still unknown.

\subsection{Multi-messenger astronomy and low frequencies}
Multi-messenger astronomy is a branch of astronomy born with the first gravitational wave detections. It has been seen that the signal of a gravitational wave can be followed up by observatories operating in other frequency bands (say, the electromagnetic bandwidth), to localize and study the source under several other points of view \footnote{A general overview about multi-messenger astronomy can be found in \cite{branchesi}. An interesting paper about a multi-messenger GW-source detection and its implications is \cite{multi}.}.\\
It is then important that the communication between these observatories is the best of the efficiency: the joint-collaboration is  determinant to provide a precise localization of the source in the sky and a complete set of data to study the object in all its details \cite{bird}.\\
The main challenge when an electromagnetic observatory tries to follow up a signal from a gravitational-wave detector is the time spent in the communication of the signal, and in the adjustments of the instrument towards the right position in the sky. This can be achieved faster and precisely if the gravitational-wave detector is able to provide coordinates quickly and accurately.\\
A significant contribution to this goal could be added by the opening of the lower frequency window of ground-based gravitational-wave detectors. As seen in the previous section, the time to coalescence scales with frequency as $f^{-8/3}$. Lowering the frequency of observation would increase the time of observation before the coalescence. This would give more time for the electromagnetic detectors to adjust the position once they have received the coordinates. Moreover, the further the two inspiraling objects are from coalescence, the further they are from each other, thus increasing the volume of observation in the sky.


\subsection{Duty cycle of the detector}
The ground-based instruments are currently tuned to detect inspiraling binaries: the duty cycle of the detector is then very important for assessing its sensitivity.  This quantity represents the time spent by the instrument in observing mode. As we will see in Chapter \ref{CPSdiff}, this depends on how much time the detector can maintain resonance, i.e. on its stability.

\noindent
Duty cycle tells us for how much time the detector can follow the evolution of a signal in a given frequency band. Lowering the frequency band and increasing the sensitivity would improve the duty cycle, allowing the following of a signal for longer time, as we will see in Chapter 5. The consequent advantage is more precise waveform predictions based on these observations, in addition to the detection of a higher number of objects.

\section{The goals of the gravitational-wave collaboration}
The efforts of the scientific collaboration, towards the opening of the low frequency window, are devoted to the development of new technologies for active control of the noise sources, responsible for the lack of sensitivity below 30 Hz \cite{lf1} \cite{lf2} \cite{lf3}. This has been the target of focus during the workshops dedicated to the low frequency band, which I attended between 2018 and 2021.\\
The goal of these meetings is to update the state-of-the-art of the topic and work together on new ideas and possible new solutions.\\
We will see in the next chapters that one of the most important noise sources, affecting the detectors in the low frequency range, is the seismic noise. The strategy investigated is based on the subtraction of this noise source: in particular, modelling, controls and reduction of the noise of seismic platforms are currently under examination for increasing the sensitivity below 30 Hz. Besides this, the study for  the development of lower-noise sensors is also an up-to-date topic of discussion.\\

\noindent
The importance of the opening of the lower frequency window has been widely outlined and highlighted \cite{lantztalk}: the final goal is to reduce the noise coupling into the gravitational-wave signal, and an important contribution could be provided by the efforts of the people working on the seismic noise suppression. \\

\noindent
It is in this frame that the work presented in this thesis takes place. The experiments carried out cover both the studies for noise suppression of seismic platforms on gravitational-wave detectors, and the development of new devices for sensing and reducing seismic motion.


