Nergis Mavalvala

Has been key in developing and advancing long-baseline optical interferometry in LIGO to sensitivities where gravitational wave detections have been made (PRL 116, 061102 (2016)). Developed the automatic alignment system and techniques to bring the instruments into an operating state (locking the interferometer). Has led the effort to incorporate squeezed light techniques into LIGO. Has initiated experiments to explore the quantum mechanics of macroscopic systems using light to trap the positions of macroscopic mirrors in harmonic-oscillator potentials, and radiation pressure plus control systems to maneuver the mirrors close to their ground state. A skilled imaginative experimenter and expositor for science.~