LIGO's Quantum Leap: Breaking the Limit and Unraveling the Mystery

LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, has surpassed the quantum limit using a technique called frequency-dependent squeezing, allowing it to detect gravitational waves on quantum scales. This breakthrough in sensitivity means LIGO can now find 60% more dead star mergers than before, significantly expanding its ability to observe the universe. The technology works by amplifying the signals to be louder than the quantum noise, similar to squeezing a balloon. LIGO's current observing run has already benefited from this upgrade, and the technology is expected to be installed in the Virgo detector in Italy.