Status of the Virgo project

• Published in: Classical and quantum gravity 2011-06, Vol.28 (11), p.114002-10
• Main Authors: Accadia, T, Acernese, F, Antonucci, F, Ballardin, G, Barone, F, Barsuglia, M, Bauer, Th S, Bebronne, M, Birindelli, S, Bitossi, M, Bizouard, M A, Bonnand, R, Boschi, V, Bouhou, B, Bradaschia, C, Branchesi, M, Briant, T, Budzyński, R, Buskulic, D, Buy, C, Cagnoli, G, Carbognani, F, Cella, G, Cohadon, P-F, Colas, J, Colla, A, Colombini, M, Corsi, A, Cuoco, E, Dattilo, V, Davier, M, De Rosa, R, Debreczeni, G, Pozzo, W Del, Fiore, L Di, Emilio, M Di Paolo, Virgilio, A Di, Fafone, V, Frasca, S, Gammaitoni, L, Gemme, G, Genin, E, Gennai, A, Giazotto, A, Gouaty, R, Granata, M, Heitmann, H, Królak, A, Leroy, N, Li, T G F, Liguori, N, Lorenzini, M, Loriette, V, Losurdo, G, Majorana, E, Maksimovic, I, Man, N, Marion, F, Masserot, A, Milano, L, Minenkov, Y, Mohan, M, Morgado, N, Mosca, S, Moscatelli, V, Palladino, L, Palomba, C, Pasqualetti, A, Passaquieti, R, Passuello, D, Persichetti, G, Pichot, M, Pietka, M, Pinard, L, Poggiani, R, Prodi, G A, Rapagnani, P, Re, V, Rocchi, A, Rolland, L, Ruggi, P, Sassolas, B, Swinkels, B, Tacca, M, Toncelli, A, Torre, O, Tournefier, E, Travasso, F, van den Brand, J F J, van der Putten, S, Vasuth, M, Vavoulidis, M, Verkindt, D, Vetrano, F, Viceré, A, Vitale, S, Vocca, H, Ward, R L, Was, M, Zendri, J-P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; General relativity and gravitation; General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology; Physics
• ISSN: 0264-9381; 1361-6382
• DOI: 10.1088/0264-9381/28/11/114002

We describe the present state and future evolution of the Virgo gravitational wave detector, realized by the Virgo Collaboration at the European Gravitational Observatory, in Cascina near Pisa in Italy. We summarize basic principles of the operation and the design features of the Virgo detector. We present the sensitivity evolution due to a series of intermediate upgrades called Virgo+ which is being completed this year and includes new monolithic suspensions. We describe the present scientific potential of the detector. Finally we discuss the plans for the second generation of the detector, called Advanced Virgo, introducing its new features, the expected sensitivity evolution and the scientific potential.