Cryogenic gravitational wave detectors

Direct detection of gravitational waves is one of the great challenges of contemporary experimental physics. Gravitational waves provide unique information about the coherent bulk motion of the matter in the Universe and constitute a powerful testing ground for theories of gravity. After 40 years from the beginning of the experimental search for cosmic gravitational waves, several cryogenic resonant-mass detectors are today monitoring the strongest potential sources in our Galaxy and in the Local Group. We report here the state of the art of such detectors and their future prospects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.