Gravitational Waves ─ Theory and Experiments

Maggiore (physics, University of Geneva, Switzerland) presents a reference text for gravitational-wave physics, covering the theory of gravitational waves and describing experimental gravitational-wave physics. Focus in the experimental section is on resonant-mass detectors and interferometric detectors. The author seeks to re-derive all of the results presented, aiming to clarify or streamline the existing derivations whenever possible. More technical issues are collected into a Solved Problems section at the end of some chapters, where detailed calculations are presented. Since important conceptual problems are discussed from the vantage point of both the geometrical and field-theoretical traditions, the languages of general relativity, class theory, and quantum field theory are used. Although no previous knowledge of gravitational-wave physics is required, the reader is assumed to have an elementary knowledge of general relativity and some knowledge of field theory. A second volume, dedicated to astrophysical and cosmological sources, is planned. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Prof. Michele Maggiore
Department of Theoretical Physics, University of Geneva Born in 1963, Michele Maggiore has graduated from University of Pisa in 1986, and has got his PhD from Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, in 1989. After postdoctoral positions in Bern and at University of Minnesota he became researcher at INFN in Pisa in 1991. Since 2001 he is Professeur Ordinaire (Professor) at the Dept. of Theoretical Physics, University of Geneva.
His research interests cover a broad range of subjects, including quantum field theory, quantum gravity, cosmology, string theory, and the study of gravitational waves of astrophysical or cosmological origin. He is also involved in experimental effors for gravitational wave detection.