The detection of gravitational waves

This paper reviews the field of gravitational wave detection. The characteristics of gravitational waves and the possible sources of detectable waves are discussed. This includes a discussion of a new source, the stochastic background of cosmological gravitational waves from supernovae during the epoch of galaxy formation. Methods of using both resonant mass antennas and laser interferometer detectors are reviewed. Noise sources that limit detector sensitivity are summarised, while new methods, and new materials which can simplify and improve detector performance are described.