Virgo: an Interferometer for Gravitational Waves Detection

Caron, B.; Dominjon, A.; Drezen, C.; Flaminio, R.; Grave, X.; Marion, F.; Massonnet, L.; Mehmel, C.; Morand, R.; Mours, B.; Yvert, M.; Babusci, D.; Giordano, G.; Matone, G.; Mackowski, J. M.; Napolitano, M.; Pinard, L.; Dognin, L.; Barone, Fabrizio; Calloni, E.; Di Fiore, L.; Flagiello, M.; Grado, A.; Longo, Maurizio; Lops, M.; Marano, Stefano; Milano, L.; Russo, G.; Solimeno, S.; Acker, Y.; Brillet, A.; Bondu, F.; Brisson, V.; Cavalier, F.; Davier, M.; Heitmann, H.; Hello, P.; Jacquemet, M.; Latrach, L.; Le Diberder, F.; Man, C. N.; Manh, P. T.; Taubmann, M.; Vinet, J. Y.; Boccara, C.; Gleyzes, P. H.; Roger, J. P.; Loriette, V.; Cagnoli, G.; Gammaitoni, L.; Kovalik, J.; Marchesoni, F.; Punturo, M.; Barsuglia, M.; Bernardini, M.; Braccini, S.; Bradaschia, C.; Del Fabbro, R.; De Salvo, R.; Di Virgilio, A.; Ferrante, I.; Fidecaro, F.; Giassi, A.; Giazotto, A.; Gorini, G.; Holloway, L.; Lami, S.; Lapenna, P.; Losurdo, G.; Mancini, S.; Morganti, M.; Palla, F.; Pan, H. B.; Passuello, D.; Poggiani, R.; Torelli, G.; Zhang, Z.; Majorana, E.; Puppo, P.; Rapagnani, P.; Ricci, F.

doi:10.1016/S0920-5632(00)00513-2

Gravitational waves propagating from rapidly accelerating star masses can be detected by means of interferometric techniques. The Virgo detector is a Michelson interferometer, with two 3 km long Fabry-Perot cavities, that is going to be built in the countryside of Pisa (Italy). Principles of interferometric gravitational wave detection, and the main noise sources in the Virgo apparatus are treated. The Virgo optical scheme and its main components are also described. Finally, an overview on the status of works at the Virgo site is presented.