Operation and Development of Gravitational Wave Detectors at LSU

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An international network of three gravitational wave detectors is now in operation. Each detector has an individual noise level of approximately 6 x 10-19 in gravitational strain, and the detectors are in coordinated operation to look for coincident detection of gravitational waves. The LSU group plans continued operation of its detector in conjunction with the detectors from the Italian groups and the Australian group. Studies will be performed on the effects of signal-to-noise ratio on the estimates of time of arrival of a gravitational wave pulse. Continued operation in coincidence with these other detectors will look for gravitational wave pulses of amplitudes 10-18 or smaller. If none are seen, the lower limit of gravitational flux will be extended to lower values. R&D will be done on the continued development of the resonator-transducer-amplifier that has been responsible for the outstanding performance of the LSU antenna. This will involve continuation of the collaboration with the University of Maryland to develop robust and sensitive SQUID amplifiers for resonant transducers. In addition, there will be continued development of the TIGA advanced detector concept developed by this group.