The Rochester gravitational wave detector

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Abstract
The authors present the first detailed report of the Rochester cryogenic resonant gravitational wave detector. They believe that the approach used in designing the detector will bring substantial contributions to the solutions of many unsolved problems. They describe in detail their transducer which makes use of several features (superconducting, wideband, noncontacting) in a unique combination that already has made it possible to achieve the highest mechanical Q for aluminum in a gravitational wave detector (Q=2*107). They also present encouraging results of preliminary tests and they calculate the values of the physical parameters needed to achieve a competitive ultimate sensitivity. They show how reasonable parameters lead to such sensitivity, even though the detecting mass is smaller than what is commonly used. The authors explain why dealing with a smaller mass presents important advantages. Finally they include a detailed analysis of the sensitivity and a description of the procedure for the calibration.