Description
Gravitational waves were predicted by Einstein many 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 US LIGO (Laser Interferometric Gravitational-Wave Observatory) project. The book aims to make plain how these detectors function, and why it is reasonable to think that gravitational waves may be successfully detected. 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 utilizing them. All the required background in relativity, 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 should be of use not just to physicists and astronomers who wish to acquaint themselves with the subject, but also for use on courses in experimental physics.
