Introduction to AdV

The first generation of interferometric detectors has a real chance of detecting the GWs for the first time ever. Neverthless, the rate of detected events expected on the basis of the astrophysical population models will be low: in the most optimistic scenario a few events/year of compact-star binary coalescences are expected. Thus, such detectors are not the right instruments to start GW astronomy.
Virgo has planned a two-step upgrade towards a second generation detector:

Virgo+

The first upgrade has started in May 08. The foreseen changes are based on a well established R&D program and should require a limited commissioning time. A system for thermal compensation has been implemented and the laser power will be increased. The electronics will be upgraded. New payloads (with dielectric reference mass, fused silica fibers, new mirrors allowing to achieve an higher cavity finess) will be installed in 2010. The interferometer optical configuration will not be changed.

Advanced Virgo

This is a major upgrade, with the goal of increasing the sensitivity by about one order of magnitude with respect to Virgo in the whole detection band. It is the detector that, with Advanced LIGO, is expected to see many events every year. And to start, hopefully, the era of gravitational wave astronomy.

This page is dedicated to the Advanced Virgo project.

Sensitivity

• NEW - Reference AdV sensitivity curve - Baseline Design (released: Apr 27 2009) - [.txt - .png]

Organization

Highlights

1st AdV Project Review