The prototype will provide an active research and development platform for experimental gravitational-wave research. Equipped with advanced optical features the interferometer will be capable of detecting small changes in the positions of test masses nearing an atto-meter. The interferometer will also be used for improved measurements of the Casimir force and short-range gravity, thus providing insight into QED and theories with higher
dimensional physics.

The project will be implemented in two phases, with an evaluation of progress mid-way of the 3-year duration. The total expenditure is expected to be about Rs. 26 million (USD 580,000). The project will be lead by Prof. C. S. Unnikrishnan and colleagues at TIFR. The LIGO Laboratory, USA, AIGO, Australia and other members of the international gravitational-wave community have already expressed their support and assistance to the project.

The IndIGO consortium is grateful to the members of the international advisory committee and the many physicists in India and abroad who supported us and made important suggestions that helped us to reach this stage.

Useful links:

• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
• Fundamental Interactions Lab, TIFR.
• LIGO Scientific Collaboration.
• Gravitational-Wave International Committee.
• LIGO Project.

Contact:
Prof. C. Unnikrishnan (Principal Investigator of the project)
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba
Mumbai 400 005
http://www.tifr.res.in/~filab/index.htm
Phone: +91 22 2280 4545 ext. 2209 E-Mail: unni (at) tifr.res.in

Prof. Bala Iyer (Chair, IndIGO consortium)
Raman Research Institute
C.V. Raman Avenue, Sadashivanagar P.O.
Bangalore 560 080
http://www.rri.res.in/~bri/
Phone: +91 80 23610122 to 127 ext. 384 Email: bri (at) rri.res.in

Prof. Sanjeev Dhurandhar (Spokesperson, IndIGO consortium)
Inter University Center for Astronomy & Astrophysics
PO Bag 4, Ganeshkhind PO
Pune 411 007
Phone: +91 20 25604 224 Email: sanjeev (at) iucaa.ernet.in