The Virgo detector: status and first experimental results

by Nicolas ARNAUD (CERN)

Monday 17 Mar 2003, 16:30 → 17:30 Europe/Zurich

500/1-001 - Main Auditorium (CERN)

The Virgo detector is aimed at achieving the first direct detection of gravitational waves (GW). Virgo is a large suspended Michelson interferometer currently being developed near Pisa. Before the availability of the complete detector, some preliminary activities have been taking place on its central part (CITF) between spring 2001 and summer 2002, in order to validate the instrument design and the suspended interferometer controls. After a summary of the current status of Virgo, the main results of these experimental tests are presented, in particular the first sensitivity curves of the CITF, which are then compared with current sensitivities of similar detectors in the world. The experience accumulated with the CITF experimentation will be directly useful for the commissioning of the full Virgo interferometer scheduled to start in mid-2003. Finally, the main sources of GW and the corresponding data analysis methods are briefly summarized.

Organiser(s): C. Amelung / EP Division

Note: * Tea & coffee will be served at 16.00 hrs.

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