Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors

by Edited by D. G. Blair , E. J. Howell , L. Ju , C. Zhao

• ISBN13: 9780521874298
• ISBN10: 0521874297
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-03-26
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

After decades of research, physicists now know how to detect Einstein's gravitational waves. Advanced gravitational wave detectors, the most sensitive instruments ever created, will be almost certain of detecting the births of black holes throughout the Universe. This book describes the physics of gravitational waves and their detectors. The book begins by introducing the physics of gravitational wave detection and the likely sources of detectable waves. Case studies on the first generation of large scale gravitational wave detectors introduce the technology and set the scene for a review of the experimental issues in creating advanced detectors in which the instrument's sensitivity is limited by Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. The book covers lasers, thermal noise, vibration isolation, interferometer control and stabilisation against opto-acoustic instabilities. This is a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in physics and astrophysics entering this field.

Table of Contents

An Introduction to Gravitational Wave Astronomy and Detectors

Gravitational waves

Sources of gravitational waves

Gravitational wave detectors

Gravitational wave data analysis

Network analysis

Current Laser Interferometer Detectors: Three Case Studies

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory

The VIRGO detector

GEO 600

Technology for Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors

Lasers for high optical power interferometers

Thermal noise, suspensions and test masses

Vibration isolation

Seismic isolation for advanced LIGO

Passive isolation

Interferometer sensing and control

Stabilizing interferometers against high optical power effects

Technology for Third Generation Gravitational Wave Detectors

Cryogenic interferometers

Quantum theory of laser-interferometer GW detectors

ET. A third generation observatory

Index

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