M. Hewitson

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented results from an all-sky search for unmodeled gravitational-wave bursts in the data collected by the LIGO, GEO 600 and Virgo detectors between November 2006 and October 2007.

Abstract: All first-generation large-scale gravitational wave detectors are operated at the dark fringe and use a heterodyne readout employing radio frequency (RF) modulation–demodulation techniques. However, the experience in the currently running interferometers reveals several problems connected with a heterodyne readout, of which phase noise of the RF modulation is the most serious one. A homodyne detection scheme (DC-readout), using the highly stabilized and filtered carrier light as a local oscillator for the readout, is considered to be a favourable alternative. Recently a DC-readout scheme has been implemented on the GEO 600 detector. We describe the results of first measurements and give a comparison of the performance achieved with homodyne and heterodyne readout. The implications of the combined use of DC-readout and signal recycling are considered.

TL;DR: The LISA Pathfinder (LPF) is a science and technology demonstrator planned by the European Space Agency in view of the LISA mission as discussed by the authors, and the progress made in preparing its effective implementation in flight.

TL;DR: In this paper, a DC-readout scheme was implemented on the GEO 600 detector and compared with homodyne and heterodyne readout, and the implications of the combined use of DC readout and signal-recycling were considered.

TL;DR: In this paper, the requirements, design and implementation of the data analysis environment (LTPDA) that will be used for analysing the data from the LISA Pathfinder mission is presented.