Bassan M. (Ed.) Advanced Interferometers and the Search for Gravitational Waves. Lectures from the First VESF School on Advanced Detectors for Gravitational Waves

Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014. — 392 pp. — (Astrophysics and Space Science Library 404). — ISBN: 978-3-319-03791-2 (Print) 978-3-319-03792-9 (Online).The search for gravitational radiation with optical interferometers is gaining momentum worldwide. Beside the VIRGO and GEO gravitational wave observatories in Europe and the two LIGOs in the United States, which have operated successfully during the past decade, further observatories are being completed (KAGRA in Japan) or planned (ILIGO in India). The sensitivity of the current observatories, although spectacular, has not allowed direct discovery of gravitational waves. The advanced detectors (Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo) at present in the development phase will improve sensitivity by a factor of 10, probing the universe up to 200 Mpc for signal from inspiraling binary compact stars. This book covers all experimental aspects of the search for gravitational radiation with optical interferometers. Every facet of the technological development underlying the evolution of advanced interferometers is thoroughly described, from configuration to optics and coatings and from thermal compensation to suspensions and controls. All key ingredients of an advanced detector are covered, including the solutions implemented in first-generation detectors, their limitations, and how to overcome them. Each issue is addressed with special reference to the solution adopted for Advanced VIRGO but constant attention is also paid to other strategies, in particular those chosen for Advanced LIGO.Coverage of all experimental aspects of the search for gravitational radiation with optical interferometers
Description of the technological developments underlying the evolution of advanced interferometers
Special focus on the solutions adopted for Advanced VIRGO but with constant attention to other strategies
All chapters written by highly qualified researchers, chosen from among the leading specialists in the fieldTowards Gravitational Wave Astronomy
The Science Case for Advanced Gravitational Wave Detectors
Interferometer Configurations
Pre-stabilized Lasers for Advanced Detectors
Input Optics System
Readout, Sensing, and Control
An Introduction to the Virgo Suspension System
Thermal Noise in Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Detectors
Thermal Effects and Other Wavefront Aberrations in Recycling Cavities
Stray Light Issues
A Basic Introduction to Quantum Noise and Quantum-Non-Demolition Techniques
The Parametric Instability in Advanced Gravitational-Wave Interferometers
A Third Generation Gravitational Wave Observatory: The Einstein Telescope
Low Temperature and Gravitation Wave Detectors