We derive and study optimal and nearly-optimal strategies for the detection
of sinusoidal signals hidden in additive (Gaussian and non-Gaussian) noise.
Such strategies are an essential part of algorithms for the detection of the
gravitational Continuous Wave
(CW) signals produced by pulsars. Optimal strategies are derived for the case
where the signal phase is not known and the product of the signal frequency and
the observation time is non-integral.Comment: 18 pages, REVTEX4, 7 figures, 2 table