123452124
Status of VIRGO
The Virgo detector has now finished its first science run; a science mode duty cycle of more than 80% and a 4.5 Mpc horizon distance for binary neutron star inspiral sources were achieved. Commissioning breaks were organized during the run which permitted improvement of the sensitivity and the robustness of the interferometer against environmental perturbations like bad weather and earthquakes. The post-run commissioning phase has now started, with the goal of preparing the next upgrade step of the detector, Virgo+.
107684675
A Digitally Controlled Suspended Michelson Interferometer
7089178
Adaptive Filters for Detection of Gravitational Waves from Coalescing Binaries
In this work we propose a new strategy for gravitational waves detection from coalescing binaries, using Adaptive Line Enhancer filters. An analysis of the filters performance is shown in terms of the tracking capability and determination of filter parameters. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristics are derived, by extensive Monte Carlo simulation studies. Some tests have been performed on simulated Virgo noise, demonstrating that adaptive filters are promising both for the small computational power needed (with respect to the matched filter) and for the statistical robustness of the algorithms used.
15235125
Gravitational effects on a rigid Casimir cavity
Vacuum fluctuations produce a force acting on a rigid Casimir cavity in a weak gravitational field. Such a force is here evaluated and is found to have opposite direction with respect to the gravitational acceleration; the order of magnitude for a multi-layer cavity configuration is analyzed and experimental detection is discussed, bearing in mind the current technological resources.
122069480
The status of VIRGO
After almost 4 years of commissioning Virgo has started its first long science run. The recent commissioning and data analysis activities are summarized here.
122020319
Lock acquisition of the central interferometer of the gravitational wave detector Virgo
Abstract We present the lock acquisition algorithm used for the central interferometer of the gravitational wave detector Virgo (CITF). The CITF was a preliminary step in the construction of the Virgo detector, which allowed to test the main components of the instrument. The problems related to the lock acquisition are discussed, together with the key points of the algorithm. Computer simulation in the time domain of the detector was crucial to develop and test the algorithm. A comparison between simulation of the lock acquisition and the corresponding experimental results is shown.
209832838
Measurement of identified charged hadron spectra with the ALICE experiment at the LHC
The ALICE experiment features multiple particle identification systems. The measurement of the identified charged hadron pt spectra in proton-proton collisions at √s = 900 GeV will be discussed. In the central rapidity region (|η| < 0.9) particle identification and tracking are performed using the Inner Tracking System (ITS), which is the closest detector to the beam axis, the Time Projection Chamber (TPC) and a dedicated time-of-flight system (TOF). Particles are mainly identified using the energy loss signal in the ITS and TPC. In addition, the information from TOF is used to identify hadrons at higher momenta. Finally, the kink topology of the weak decay of charged kaons provides an alternative method to extract the transverse momentum spectra of charged kaons. This combination allows to track and identify charged hadrons in the transverse momentum (pt) range from 100 MeV/c up to 2.5 GeV/c. Mesons containing strange quarks (K0S, () and both singly and doubly strange baryons are identified by their decay topology inside the TPC detector. Results obtained with the various identification tools above described and a comparison with theoretical models and previously published data will be presented.