Liberal Arts and Sciences
Fulda Lab
Led by Paul Fulda · Physics
What we study
The Fulda Lab studies gravitational wave detection, focusing on improving LIGO and LISA detectors using simulations and experimental R&D. They work on optical systems and new technologies for precision interferometry.
What working here is like
- Computational
- Building & testing
- Wet lab
- No organisms (data only)
- Coding required
- Projects
- 5
- Paper
- 1
Current projects
Electro-optic beam deflectors
Using deflectors to create alignment signals without quadrant photodetectors.
Higher-order Hermite-Gauss beams
Applying these beams for precision interferometry in gravitational wave detectors.
Show 3 more projectsShow fewer
LISA telescope design
Developing telescopes for laser communication across 2 million km in space.
Detecting Gravitational Wave Memory with LISA and 3G Detectors
The lab studies the permanent displacement caused by gravitational waves from binary mergers. It simulates data from future detectors like LISA, Cosmic Explorer, and Einstein Telescope, and stacks signals to estimate a detectable memory signal-to-noise ratio of 5 after 0.5 years of joint operation. Students will work on data simulation and stacking algorithms.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 396
Development of a Compact Heterodyne Phase Camera
The team is designing a portable version of a heterodyne phase camera, building a smaller housing, optical path, and a lock that creates a 10 Hz beat‑note for phase imaging, and creating a user interface so non‑experts can operate it.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 284
Summaries are written by AI in plain language from public symposium abstracts and may be imperfect.
Recent papers, explained
- Thermal deformation reduction in high-power interferometry with higher-order laser modes
2026 · Physical review. D/Physical review. D.
Tests whether higher-order laser modes reduce thermal noise in gravitational wave detectors.
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
Paul Fulda hasn't set up this page yet. Their UF Scholars profile lists their publications.