An international collaboration of researchers including UBC scientists have observed gravitational waves from the collision of what is most likely a neutron star and an object likely to be a light black hole 650 million light-years from Earth.

The collision, reported in a preprint paper, was detected by one part of an international network of gravitational wave detectors, comprised of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), the Virgo Gravitational Wave Interferometer, and the Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA).

“We’re now able to detect events like this thanks to various technological improvements, but we’re soon going to be approaching a fundamental limit where we won’t be able to sense further into space unless we can improve the materials that are used, particularly in the coatings on the mirrors in the LIGO detectors. The team at QMI is really well poised to play a vital role in pushing this technology forward,” said UBC’s LIGO Lead Dr. Jess McIver.


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Image: Carl Knox, OzGrav-Swinburne University

Blusson QMI Scientific Director and Professor at UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy Andrea Damascelli has been awarded UBC’s premier award for research, the Jacob Biely Research Prize.

Damascelli also serves as a Tier I Canada Research Chair in the Electronic Structure of Quantum Materials and co-director of the Max Planck-UBC-UTokyo Centre for Quantum Materials.

“It’s an honour to receive the Jacob Biely Research Prize from the UBC community. I extend my gratitude to UBC, the Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Department of Physics & Astronomy, and the Blusson QMI community for supporting me and investing in this endeavour throughout the years,” said Damascelli.


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Image: Paul Joseph

In 2023, the French Embassy in Canada, in partnership with the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (Blusson QMI) and the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at the University of British Columbia (UBC), launched the Arts-Sciences Residency Program “Quantum Studio” in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The 2024 edition of the residency will take place from October 14 to November 12 at UBC Blusson QMI. The program accepts applications from French artists exploring the intersections between the arts and sciences. 

Applications are now open and will close on May 26, 2024, at 11:59pm (CEST/Paris Time).


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Image: Paul Joseph