The VIRGO interferometer for gravitational wave detection RID C-9235-2011 RID B-5375-2009 RID A-1920-2008

Abstract

The Virgo gravitational wave detector is an interferometer with 3 km long arms in construction near Pisa in Italy. The accessible sources at the design sensitivity and main noises are reviewed. Virgo has devoted a significant effort to extend sensitivity to low frequency reaching the strain level (h) over tilde = 10(-21) Hz(-1/2) at 10 Hz while at 200 Hz (h) over tilde = 3.10(-23) Hz(-1/2). Design choices and status of construction are presented