Some Key Facts about QUEST
Participating Institutes
External partners
Laser Zentrum Hannover e. V.
Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, Hannover)
Gravitational Wave Detector GEO600
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig
Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), Bremen
Institutes of Leibniz Universitδt Hannover
Institute of Quantum Optics
Institute for Gravitational Physics
Institute of Theoretical Physics
Institute of Applied Mathematics
Institute of Geodesy
Institute of Solid State Physics
Staff
more than 220 scientists are involved in the activities of QUEST
94 persons (scientific and non-scientific staff) directly funded by QUEST (September 2010)
Research Areas
Four main fields of research, 24 research groups in total
Quantum Engineering
Quantum Sensors
Space-Time
Enabling Technologies
complemented by nine Task Groups (interdisciplinary project groups)
Scientific Highlights
precision measurements at the quantum limit and beyond
development and production of coating-free, high-precision mirrors for laser applications
leader in the development of gravitational wave detectors of the next generation
gravitational wave detection in space, LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna)
further development of atom interferometry for geodetic applications (observation of the Earth and the environment)
(portable) Atomic clocks for future global satellite navigation and gravity field research
Comparison of clocks on Earth (fiber connection) and in space (satellite connenction)
Tests of the equivalence principle, on Earth and in space
Lunar Laser Ranging, for example, to review and redefine the fundamental constants
participation in current and future international gravity field missions, for example: GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) and GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation)
towards the gravitational wave astronomy
