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Noise reduction in suspension control with photon-pressure actuator for CHRONOS gravitational wave detector
Authors:
Daiki Tanabe,
Yuki Inoue,
Mario Juvenal S. Onglao III
Abstract:
Improving sub-Hz sensitivity of gravitational wave (GW) detectors is important to detect heavier binary black hole mergers and study phenomena in stronger gravity fields. Torsion-bar-based GW detectors have been projected to focus on low-frequency GW. Among noise sources of GW detector, actuation noise induced by vibration of force sources and fluctuation of environmental magnetic fields is one th…
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Improving sub-Hz sensitivity of gravitational wave (GW) detectors is important to detect heavier binary black hole mergers and study phenomena in stronger gravity fields. Torsion-bar-based GW detectors have been projected to focus on low-frequency GW. Among noise sources of GW detector, actuation noise induced by vibration of force sources and fluctuation of environmental magnetic fields is one that increases in low frequency. In this study, we propose photon-pressure actuator as a solution to isolate an actuator from seismic and magnetic noise. It can also be used as a photon calibrator. We designed an optical layout of the photon-pressure actuator having four beams independently controlled and applied it to CHRONOS experiment. Based on a realistic power control system, we estimated its maximum torque amplitude around yaw rotation axis as $1.0\times 10^{-8}$ N$\cdot$m and actuation efficiency as $6.6\times 10^{-13}$ rad/V, which are sufficiently large for controlling the CHRONOS torsion bar. The actuation noise was estimated as $5.3\times 10^{-19}$ rad ${\rm Hz}^{-1/2}$ at 1 Hz, lower than the target sensitivity of CHRONOS. Assuming its usage as a photon calibrator, the estimated systematic error was 1.14%.
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Submitted 22 July, 2026;
originally announced July 2026.
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Prospects for Observing Gravity-gradient Noise and Earthquake Gravity Signals with CHRONOS
Authors:
Mario Juvenal S. Onglao III,
Yuki Inoue,
Daiki Tanabe
Abstract:
Ground-based gravitational-wave detectors operating in the sub-Hertz regime are expected to be strongly limited by environmental gravity-gradient fluctuations, commonly referred to as Newtonian Noise (NN). At the same time, this frequency band provides unique opportunities to probe terrestrial gravitational perturbations associated with seismic and atmospheric processes. In this work, we investiga…
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Ground-based gravitational-wave detectors operating in the sub-Hertz regime are expected to be strongly limited by environmental gravity-gradient fluctuations, commonly referred to as Newtonian Noise (NN). At the same time, this frequency band provides unique opportunities to probe terrestrial gravitational perturbations associated with seismic and atmospheric processes. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of using the proposed Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition speed meter (CHRONOS) as a platform for studying gravity-gradient noise and detecting prompt gravitational signals from earthquakes.
We model gravity-gradient contributions from Rayleigh-wave-induced seismic fields, atmospheric infrasound fluctuations, and transient mass redistribution during earthquakes, and project these onto the CHRONOS torsion-bar response. CHRONOS achieves a peak strain sensitivity of order ~1e-18 Hz^(-1/2) near ~2 Hz. Rayleigh-wave NN is found to be the dominant environmental contribution below approximately 0.5 Hz, while atmospheric NN remains several orders of magnitude smaller throughout the frequency range considered.
We further assess the detectability of prompt gravitational signals from earthquakes. For a representative Mw = 5.2 event, sources within approximately 90 km may produce detectable signals. At 40 km distance, we obtain a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of approximately 3.62 integrated over the sub-Hz band, with a corresponding strain amplitude reaching the CHRONOS sensitivity curve around 0.2 to 0.6 Hz. The gravitational signal is expected to precede seismic P-wave arrival by several seconds, depending on the assumed propagation velocity.
These results demonstrate the potential of CHRONOS to probe both gravity-gradient noise and transient geophysical gravity signals in the sub-Hertz regime.
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Submitted 17 June, 2026;
originally announced June 2026.
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Studies of Neutrino-Nucleus Elastic Scattering with Point-Contact Germanium Detectors at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory
Authors:
TEXONO Collaboration,
M. K. Singh,
S. Karmakar,
Greeshma C.,
H. B. Li,
F. K. Lin,
V. Sharma,
L. Singh,
H. T. Wong,
L. T. Yang,
M. Agartioglu,
J. H. Chen,
J. W. Chen,
C. I. Chiang,
M. Deniz,
T. Guo,
H. C. Hsu,
W. H. Kao,
S. Karadaǧ,
J. B. Legras,
C. H. Leung,
J. Li,
T. Y. Liang,
S. T. Lin,
S. K. Liu
, et al. (14 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The low energy and intense flux of electron anti-neutrinos from nuclear reactors provide the perfect stage to study elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering ($νA_{el}$) in the fully coherent regime. We report results from the TEXONO experiment using electro-cooled $p$-type point-contact Germanium detectors with masses of 523~g and 1434~g at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory. We report improved…
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The low energy and intense flux of electron anti-neutrinos from nuclear reactors provide the perfect stage to study elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering ($νA_{el}$) in the fully coherent regime. We report results from the TEXONO experiment using electro-cooled $p$-type point-contact Germanium detectors with masses of 523~g and 1434~g at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory. We report improved constraints on the $νA_{el}$ cross section with a combined exposure of 404(813.7)~kg-days of Reactor ON(OFF) data at an electron-equivalent threshold of 200~eV$_{ee}$. The Lindhard model, in which the quenching factor is parameterized by a single parameter k, is adopted to describe the suppression of ionization yield. At the benchmark value of k=0.162, a limit of $ρ<$2.0 at 90\% confidence level (CL) is derived, where $ρ$ represents the ratio of the observed to the predicted Standard Model cross section. Moreover the region k$>$0.205 is excluded at 90\% CL using the SM-predicted $νA_{el}$ rate. A bound on the neutrino magnetic moment from $νA_{el}$ at $μ_ν {<} 5.9 \times 10^{-10}~μ_B$ at 90\% CL is also derived.
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Submitted 15 June, 2026;
originally announced June 2026.
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Science of Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS)
Authors:
Yuki Inoue,
Hsiang-Yu Huang,
Vivek Kumar,
Mario Juvenal S. Onglao II,
Daiki Tanabe,
Ta-Chun Yu
Abstract:
The frequency band between $0.1$ and $10\mathrm{Hz}$ remains largely unexplored in gravitational-wave astronomy due to strong seismic, Newtonian, and suspension thermal noise that limit ground-based detectors. The Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS) is a novel detector concept designed to access this frequency range from the ground. CHRONOS…
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The frequency band between $0.1$ and $10\mathrm{Hz}$ remains largely unexplored in gravitational-wave astronomy due to strong seismic, Newtonian, and suspension thermal noise that limit ground-based detectors. The Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS) is a novel detector concept designed to access this frequency range from the ground. CHRONOS combines cryogenic torsion-bar test masses with a triangular Sagnac interferometer implementing a speed-meter readout, which suppresses quantum radiation-pressure noise and enables quantum non-demolition measurements in the sub-Hz regime. The detector targets a strain sensitivity of $h \sim 10^{-18}\mathrm{Hz^{-1/2}}$ around $2\mathrm{Hz}$ and stochastic gravitational wave background of $Ω_{GW} \sim 2\times 10^{-3}$ at $2\mathrm{Hz}$. This sensitivity opens a new observational window between space-based detectors such as LISA and ground-based interferometers, enabling observations of intermediate-mass black hole binaries, searches for stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds, and tests of macroscopic quantum measurements.
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Submitted 7 April, 2026;
originally announced April 2026.
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Noise budget of Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS)
Authors:
Mario Juvenal S. Onglao III,
Hsiang-Yu Huang,
Yuki Inoue,
Vivek Kumar,
Daiki Tanabe
Abstract:
CHRONOS is a proposed gravitational-wave detector designed to operate in the sub-Hz frequency range (0.1 to 10 Hz), a largely unexplored band due to strong noise sources that hamper ground-based detectors. It employs cryogenic operation, a cross torsion-bar configuration, a triangular Sagnac interferometer, and a speed meter readout scheme to overcome key noise limitations, targeting a strain sens…
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CHRONOS is a proposed gravitational-wave detector designed to operate in the sub-Hz frequency range (0.1 to 10 Hz), a largely unexplored band due to strong noise sources that hamper ground-based detectors. It employs cryogenic operation, a cross torsion-bar configuration, a triangular Sagnac interferometer, and a speed meter readout scheme to overcome key noise limitations, targeting a strain sensitivity of $h \sim 10^{-18} Hz^{-1/2}$ around 2 Hz and a stochastic gravitational wave background of $Ω_{GW}$ approximately $2 \times 10^{-3}$ at 2 Hz. Using analytical and interferometric simulations with FINESSE3, we evaluate the noise budget of CHRONOS and characterize the relative contributions of quantum, thermal, and environmental noise sources. Our results demonstrate that CHRONOS achieves competitive sensitivity at low frequencies. The feasibility of using CHRONOS in an earthquake early-warning system by detecting prompt gravity-gradient signals is also investigated, and is predicted to be faster by approximately 2.92 to 6.90 seconds within 40 km. These findings highlight the scientific potential of CHRONOS, bridging gravitational-wave astronomy and geophysical monitoring, and motivating further development of low-frequency detector technologies.
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Submitted 4 June, 2026; v1 submitted 7 April, 2026;
originally announced April 2026.
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Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS) for gravitational wave detection
Authors:
Yuki Inoue,
Daiki Tanabe,
M. Afif Ismail,
Vivek Kumar,
Mario Juvenal S Onglao III,
Ta-Chun Yu
Abstract:
We present the optical design and sensitivity modeling of the Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS), a triangular Sagnac speed-meter interferometer incorporating power and signal recycling. Using ABCD-matrix analysis and \textsc{Finesse3} simulations, we obtain stable optical eigenmodes with mode-matching efficiencies above 99.5%. The optimiz…
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We present the optical design and sensitivity modeling of the Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS), a triangular Sagnac speed-meter interferometer incorporating power and signal recycling. Using ABCD-matrix analysis and \textsc{Finesse3} simulations, we obtain stable optical eigenmodes with mode-matching efficiencies above 99.5%. The optimized configuration achieves a quantum-noise-limited strain sensitivity of $h \simeq 3\times10^{-18},\mathrm{Hz^{-1/2}}$ at 1 Hz, with a ring-cavity finesse of $\mathcal{F}\simeq3.1\times10^{4}$ and a round-trip Gouy phase of $ψ\approx153^{\circ}$. The low-frequency quantum noise is primarily governed by the power-recycling cavity detuning, while the signal-recycling cavity produces an approximately uniform quadrature rotation. An optimal homodyne angle of $ζ\simeq46^{\circ}$ provides the best sensitivity near 1 Hz. Assuming an end-mirror reflectivity of $R_{\mathrm{ETM}}=99.9999%$ at 10 K, CHRONOS can achieve quantum-noise-limited performance on a laboratory scale. Its projected science reach includes intermediate-mass black-hole binaries out to approximately $271,\mathrm{Mpc}$, a 10-year stochastic-background sensitivity of $Ω_{\mathrm{GW}}\simeq4.7\times10^{-4}$ at $2.15,\mathrm{Hz}$, constraints on Yukawa-type deviations from Newtonian gravity, and prompt gravity-gradient signals from nearby earthquakes.
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Submitted 21 July, 2026; v1 submitted 25 October, 2025;
originally announced October 2025.
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Torque cancellation effect of Intensity noise for Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS)
Authors:
Daiki Tanabe,
Yuki Inoue,
Vivek Kumar,
Miftahul Ma'arif,
Ta-Chun Yu
Abstract:
Detection of sub-Hz gravitational waves is of significant importance for astrophysics. It enables the observation of intermediate-mass black hole mergers, the issuance of early alerts for gravitational-wave events, and the exploration of the stochastic gravitational-wave background. The Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS) is a proposed grav…
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Detection of sub-Hz gravitational waves is of significant importance for astrophysics. It enables the observation of intermediate-mass black hole mergers, the issuance of early alerts for gravitational-wave events, and the exploration of the stochastic gravitational-wave background. The Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS) is a proposed gravitational-wave detector based on a Sagnac speed-meter topology that uses torsion bars as test masses. Its prototype design aims to achieve a strain sensitivity of $3 \times 10^{-18}~\mathrm{Hz}^{-1/2}$ at 1~Hz and thus enable the detection of $\mathcal{O}(10^4),M_\odot$ intermediate-mass black hole mergers at 100~Mpc with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. We show that the torsion-bar-based speed meter can suppress noise originating from laser intensity fluctuations by canceling the net torque on the bar and by using a balanced homodyne readout. We further present, for the first time, an analytic intensity-noise model for a gravitational-wave detector employing a torsion-bar Sagnac speed-meter configuration. Using this model, we evaluate the expected performance of a 2.5~m arm-length CHRONOS prototype. The projected laser-intensity noise is $2.9 \times 10^{-20}~\mathrm{Hz}^{-1/2}$ at 1~Hz, which is sufficiently low to allow the detection of binary intermediate-mass black hole mergers.
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Submitted 25 October, 2025;
originally announced October 2025.
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CHRONOS: Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter
Authors:
Yuki Inoue,
Hsiang-Chieh Hsu,
Hsiang-Yu Huang,
M. Afif Ismail,
Vivek Kumar,
Miftahul Ma'arif,
Avani Patel,
Daiki Tanabe,
Henry Tsz-King Wong,
Ta-Chun Yu
Abstract:
We propose a next-generation ground-based gravitational-wave detector, Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS), optimized for the unexplored $0.1$-$10\,\mathrm{Hz}$ band between the space-based LISA and future ground-based detectors such as Cosmic Explorer and the Einstein Telescope. CHRONOS combines a ring-cavity Sagnac interferometer with tor…
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We propose a next-generation ground-based gravitational-wave detector, Cryogenic sub-Hz cROss torsion-bar detector with quantum NOn-demolition Speed meter (CHRONOS), optimized for the unexplored $0.1$-$10\,\mathrm{Hz}$ band between the space-based LISA and future ground-based detectors such as Cosmic Explorer and the Einstein Telescope. CHRONOS combines a ring-cavity Sagnac interferometer with torsion-bar test masses to realize the first quantum nondemolition (QND) measurement of angular momentum in a macroscopic system. By implementing a speed-meter readout in the rotational degree of freedom, CHRONOS coherently cancels quantum radiation-pressure noise and enables sub-Hz observations. We calculate, for the first time, that detuned power-recycling and cavity-length optimization can simultaneously relax technical requirements on both torsion bars and speed meters. Assuming a realistic optical design with 1m torsion bar, we estimate strain sensitivities of $h \simeq 5\times10^{-19}\,\mathrm{Hz^{-1/2}}$ at $2\,\mathrm{Hz}$ for detectors with arm lengths of $2.5$ m, $40$ m, and $300$ m. These sensitivities enable (i) direct detection of intermediate-mass black hole binaries up to 340\,Mpc with SNR=3, (ii) probing SGWB down to $Ω_{\mathrm{GW}}\sim\ 3\times10^{-4}$ at 0.2 Hz with 5 year accumulation. Furthermore, CHRONOS enable to prompt detection of gravity-gradient signals from M 5.5 earthquakes even with a $2.5$ m prototype. CHRONOS thus opens new opportunities for quantum-limited geophysical observation and multi-band, multi-messenger gravitational-wave astronomy.
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Submitted 9 March, 2026; v1 submitted 27 September, 2025;
originally announced September 2025.
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Measurements of tropospheric ice clouds with a ground-based CMB polarization experiment, POLARBEAR
Authors:
Satoru Takakura,
Mario A. O. Aguilar-Faúndez,
Yoshiki Akiba,
Kam Arnold,
Carlo Baccigalupi,
Darcy Barron,
Dominic Beck,
Federico Bianchini,
David Boettger,
Julian Borrill,
Kolen Cheung,
Yuji Chinone,
Tucker Elleflot,
Josquin Errard,
Giulio Fabbian,
Chang Feng,
Neil Goeckner-Wald,
Takaho Hamada,
Masaya Hasegawa,
Masashi Hazumi,
Logan Howe,
Daisuke Kaneko,
Nobuhiko Katayama,
Brian Keating,
Reijo Keskitalo
, et al. (23 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The polarization of the atmosphere has been a long-standing concern for ground-based experiments targeting cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization. Ice crystals in upper tropospheric clouds scatter thermal radiation from the ground and produce a horizontally-polarized signal. We report the detailed analysis of the cloud signal using a ground-based CMB experiment, POLARBEAR, located at the A…
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The polarization of the atmosphere has been a long-standing concern for ground-based experiments targeting cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization. Ice crystals in upper tropospheric clouds scatter thermal radiation from the ground and produce a horizontally-polarized signal. We report the detailed analysis of the cloud signal using a ground-based CMB experiment, POLARBEAR, located at the Atacama desert in Chile and observing at 150 GHz. We observe horizontally-polarized temporal increases of low-frequency fluctuations ("polarized bursts," hereafter) of $\lesssim$0.1 K when clouds appear in a webcam monitoring the telescope and the sky. The hypothesis of no correlation between polarized bursts and clouds is rejected with $>$24$σ$ statistical significance using three years of data. We consider many other possibilities including instrumental and environmental effects, and find no other reasons other than clouds that can explain the data better. We also discuss the impact of the cloud polarization on future ground-based CMB polarization experiments.
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Submitted 18 September, 2018;
originally announced September 2018.