Giles Hammond

University of Glasgow

Giles.Hammond@glasgow.ac.uk

Giles Hammond is a Professor of Experimental Gravitational Physics at the University of Glasgow. His research interests focus on the development of (1) fused silica suspension systems for gravitational wave detectors (2) precision MEMS gravity sensors for applications in defence & security and environmental monitoring.

He has made significant contributions to the development of the monolithic stages of the quadruple pendulums used in the LIGO interferometers, which opened the gravitational wave window on the Universe in 2015. He is currently the suspension scientist for the US Cosmic Explorer instrument and co-chair of the cryogenic payload for the European Einstein Telescope. He further leads the development of suspensions for the aLIGO/A+ detectors and their future upgrades. 

Prof. Hammond has pioneered a new field of MEMS gravimetry, developing the world’s first MEMS gravimeter with Prof. Doug Paul (Engineering, Glasgow), which has sufficient sensitivity to monitor tiny variations in the local gravitational field. The device has undertaken field trials in Italy, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, UK & Northern Ireland. There are currently three Wee-g gravimeter on Mt Etna and one on the Poas active volcano in Costa Rica. The Wee-g gravimeter has applications in Defence & Security, Environmental Monitoring and Navigation, which forms the core of activities within QEPNT.

Professor Hammond is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (IoP) and Royal Society of Edinburgh.