Massimo Bassan is Associate Professor of Physics at University of Rome Tor Vergata. His research focuses mainly on gravitational waves: he built the first Italian prototype of the interferometer, took part in the development of resonant cryogenic antennas, and he is currently involved in the spatial mission LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) of ESA. He is also member of the Executive Board of the Virgo-EGO Scientific Forum (VESF) and coordinates the VESF schools on gravitational waves.

"This is an interesting book which bridges the gap between popular articles and treatises on gravitational waves, and the highly specialized articles on aspects of potential gravitational-wave sources and the detectors being designed to search for them. ... a book aimed at young keen researchers starting out in the field of gravitational-wave detection. ... it will also be of interest to experimental physicists working on the limitations to fundamental measurement." (Jim Hough, The Observatory, Vol. 135 (1245), April, 2015)

• Preface.- Foreword.- Towards gravitational wave astronomy.- The science case for advanced gravitational wave Detectors.- Interferometer configurations.- Pre Stabilized Lasers for Advanced detectors.- Input Optics System.- Readout, sensing and control.- An introduction to the Virgo Suspension System.- Thermal noise in laser interferometer gravitational wave detectors.- Thermal effects and other wave-front aberrations in recycling cavities.- Stray Light Issues.- A Basic Introduction to Quantum Noise and Quantum-Non-Demolition Techniques.- The Parametric Instability in advanced gravitational-wave interferometers.- A Third Generation Gravitational Wave Observatory: the Einstein Telescope.- Low Temperature and Gravitation Wave detectors.

Massimo Bassan is Associate Professor of Physics at University of Rome Tor Vergata. His research focuses mainly on gravitational waves: he built the first Italian prototype of the interferometer, took part in the development of resonant cryogenic antennas, and he is currently involved in the spatial mission LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) of ESA. He is also member of the Executive Board of the Virgo-EGO Scientific Forum (VESF) and coordinates the VESF schools on gravitational waves.

"This is an interesting book which bridges the gap between popular articles and treatises on gravitational waves, and the highly specialized articles on aspects of potential gravitational-wave sources and the detectors being designed to search for them. ... a book aimed at young keen researchers starting out in the field of gravitational-wave detection. ... it will also be of interest to experimental physicists working on the limitations to fundamental measurement." (Jim Hough, The Observatory, Vol. 135 (1245), April, 2015)

• Preface.- Foreword.- Towards gravitational wave astronomy.- The science case for advanced gravitational wave Detectors.- Interferometer configurations.- Pre Stabilized Lasers for Advanced detectors.- Input Optics System.- Readout, sensing and control.- An introduction to the Virgo Suspension System.- Thermal noise in laser interferometer gravitational wave detectors.- Thermal effects and other wave-front aberrations in recycling cavities.- Stray Light Issues.- A Basic Introduction to Quantum Noise and Quantum-Non-Demolition Techniques.- The Parametric Instability in advanced gravitational-wave interferometers.- A Third Generation Gravitational Wave Observatory: the Einstein Telescope.- Low Temperature and Gravitation Wave detectors.