'The content of the Saulson’s book remains valid and offers a versatile introduction to gravitational wave astronomy. The book is appropriate for undergraduate students and can be read by graduate students and researchers who want to be involved in either the theoretical or the experimental traits of the study of gravitational waves.'Contemporary PhysicsLIGO's recent discovery of gravitational waves was headline news around the world. Many people will want to understand more about what a gravitational wave is, how LIGO works, and how LIGO functions as a detector of gravitational waves.This book aims to communicate the basic logic of interferometric gravitational wave detectors to students who are new to the field. It assumes that the reader has a basic knowledge of physics, but no special familiarity with gravitational waves, with general relativity, or with the special techniques of experimental physics. All of the necessary ideas are developed in the book.The first edition was published in 1994. Since the book is aimed at explaining the physical ideas behind the design of LIGO, it stands the test of time. For the second edition, an Epilogue has been added; it brings the treatment of technical details up to date, and provides references that would allow a student to become proficient with today's designs.

Gravitational waves were predicted by Einstein over 75 years ago, but have not yet been seen. This book is about the technology of the new generation of interferometric gravitational wave detectors now being built, such as the LIGO (Laser Interferometric Gravitational-Wave Observatory) project in the US. The book aims to make plain how these detectors function, and why it is reasonable to think that gravitational waves may be successfully detected in the next decade.After an introduction to the physical and astronomical aspects of gravitational waves, the book concentrates on explaining the basic principles behind the detectors and discusses the strategies for utilising them. All the required background in astronomy, optics and experimental physics techniques is developed within the text, and anyone with an undergraduate knowledge of physics will be able to follow the arguments presented. The book will be of use not just to physicists and astronomers who wish to acquaint themselves with the subject, but will also prove useful for courses in experimental physics at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels.

The search for gravitational waves -- The nature of gravitational waves -- Sources of gravitational waves -- Linear systems, signals and noise -- Optical readout noise -- Folded interferometer arms -- Thermal noise -- Seismic noise and vibration isolation -- Design features of large interferometers -- Null instruments -- Feedback control systems -- An interferometer as an active null instrument -- Resonant mass gravitational wave detectors -- Detecting gravitational wave signals -- Gravitational wave astronomy -- The discovery of gravitational waves -- Epilogue

The detection of gravitational waves in 2015 has been hailed a scientific breakthrough and one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the 21st century. Gravitational-wave physics and astronomy are emerging as a new frontier in understanding the universe.Advanced Interferometric Gravitational-Wave Detectors brings together many of the world's top experts to deliver an authoritative and in-depth treatment on current and future detectors. Volume I is devoted to the essentials of gravitational-wave detectors, presenting the physical principles behind large-scale precision interferometry, the physics of the underlying noise sources that limit interferometer sensitivity, and an explanation of the key enabling technologies that are used in the detectors. Volume II provides an in-depth look at the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo interferometers, as well as examining future interferometric detector concepts. This two-volume set will provide students and researchers the comprehensive background needed to understand gravitational-wave detectors.

This book introduces the concepts of gravitational waves within the context of general relativity. The sources of gravitational radiation for which there is direct observational evidence and those of a more speculative nature are described. He then gives a general introduction to the methods of detection. In the subsequent chapters he has drawn together the leading scientists in the field to give a comprehensive practical and theoretical account of the physics and technology of gravitational wave detection.