Microwave apparatus for gravitational waves observation

In this report the theoretical and experimental activities for the development of superconducting microwave cavities for the detection of gravitational waves are presented.Comment: 42 pages, 28 figure

Evaluation of bistable systems versus matched filters in detecting bipolar pulse signals

This paper presents a thorough evaluation of a bistable system versus a matched filter in detecting bipolar pulse signals. The detectability of the bistable system can be optimized by adding noise, i.e. the stochastic resonance (SR) phenomenon. This SR effect is also demonstrated by approximate statistical detection theory of the bistable system and corresponding numerical simulations. Furthermore, the performance comparison results between the bistable system and the matched filter show that (a) the bistable system is more robust than the matched filter in detecting signals with disturbed pulse rates, and (b) the bistable system approaches the performance of the matched filter in detecting unknown arrival times of received signals, with an especially better computational efficiency. These significant results verify the potential applicability of the bistable system in signal detection field.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, MikTex v2.

Correlated noise in networks of gravitational-wave detectors: subtraction and mitigation

One of the key science goals of advanced gravitational-wave detectors is to observe a stochastic gravitational-wave background. However, recent work demonstrates that correlated magnetic fields from Schumann resonances can produce correlated strain noise over global distances, potentially limiting the sensitivity of stochastic background searches with advanced detectors. In this paper, we estimate the correlated noise budget for the worldwide Advanced LIGO network and conclude that correlated noise may affect upcoming measurements. We investigate the possibility of a Wiener filtering scheme to subtract correlated noise from Advanced LIGO searches, and estimate the required specifications. We also consider the possibility that residual correlated noise remains following subtraction, and we devise an optimal strategy for measuring astronomical parameters in the presence of correlated noise. Using this new formalism, we estimate the loss of sensitivity for a broadband, isotropic stochastic background search using 1 yr of LIGO data at design sensitivity. Given our current noise budget, the uncertainty with which LIGO can estimate energy density will likely increase by a factor of ~4--if it is impossible to achieve significant subtraction. Additionally, narrowband cross-correlation searches may be severely affected at low frequencies f < 45 Hz without effective subtraction.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure

Gravitational Wave Experiments and Early Universe Cosmology

Gravitational-wave experiments with interferometers and with resonant masses can search for stochastic backgrounds of gravitational waves of cosmological origin. We review both experimental and theoretical aspects of the search for these backgrounds. We give a pedagogical derivation of the various relations that characterize the response of a detector to a stochastic background. We discuss the sensitivities of the large interferometers under constructions (LIGO, VIRGO, GEO600, TAMA300, AIGO) or planned (Avdanced LIGO, LISA) and of the presently operating resonant bars, and we give the sensitivities for various two-detectors correlations. We examine the existing limits on the energy density in gravitational waves from nucleosynthesis, COBE and pulsars, and their effects on theoretical predictions. We discuss general theoretical principles for order-of-magnitude estimates of cosmological production mechanisms, and then we turn to specific theoretical predictions from inflation, string cosmology, phase transitions, cosmic strings and other mechanisms. We finally compare with the stochastic backgrounds of astrophysical origin.Comment: 99 pages, Latex, 17 figures. To appear in Physics Report. v4: conceptual changes in sect. 7.

Room temperature GW bar detector with opto-mechanical readout

We present the full implementation of a room-temperature gravitational wave bar detector equipped with an opto-mechanical readout. The mechanical vibrations are read by a Fabry--Perot interferometer whose length changes are compared with a stable reference optical cavity by means of a resonant laser. The detector performance is completely characterized in terms of spectral sensitivity and statistical properties of the fluctuations in the system output signal. The new kind of readout technique allows for wide-band detection sensitivity and we can accurately test the model of the coupled oscillators for thermal noise. Our results are very promising in view of cryogenic operation and represent an important step towards significant improvements in the performance of massive gravitational wave detectors.Comment: 7 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.