That thousand-fold increase in coverage comes from boosting LIGO's sensitivity 10 times over and increasing the laser power from 10 watts to 180 watts. Larger mirrors made of better materials will reduce the background noise from the random motion of atoms at room temperature. Advanced LIGO will also be better isolated from terrestrial vibrations coming through the ground, due to an active servo-controlled system that replaces an older, passive spring system.

By measuring the effects of gravitational waves on LIGO instruments, scientists hope to make new discoveries and enrich our understanding of cosmic phenomena such as black holes, supernovae and pulsars. In addition to its direct objectives, LIGO is reaping far-reaching scientific, technological, and industrial benefits in areas such as measurement science, seismic isolation, vacuum technology, coatings, and optics.

Parsons Engineering in Pasadena, California was selected to be the engineering firm of record on the construction of the two LIGO facilities. They in turn engaged MLA to do the acoustical engineering. This involved working with the Caltech and MIT theoretical teams to develop acoustical background noise criteria as well as to assist with the selection and isolation of the HVAC and other mechanical equipment.