Topics in Theoretical and Experimental Gravitation Physics

During the period March 13-25, 1975, the IV course of the International School of Cosmology and Gravitation was held at Erice, Sicily and devoted primarily to gravitational waves. A number of participants have prepared their lectures for publication here. These include topics in Gravitational Radiation , Gravitational Radiation Antennas and Data Analyses, Singularities in General Relativity Theory, the Bimetric Theory of Gravitation, Tachyons, and General Relativity and Quantum Theory. V. De Sabbata and J. Weber v Contents Opening ReII1arks, J. Weber...ix The Generation of Gravitational Waves: A Review of Computational Techniques, K. S. Thorne ********************* 1 Effects of Gravitational Radiation upon Electromagnetic Waves in a Dispersive Medium, B. Bertotti and R. Catenacci ****** 63 Gravitational Waves and Their Interaction with Electromagnetic Field, V. De Sabbata ***. ****************** 69 Shock Waves in General Relativity, A. Papapetrou *************** 83 Editorial Connnents ...103 The Detection of Gravitational Waves and Quantum Nondisturbtive Measurements, V. Braginsky ***************** 105 Onedimensional Analysis and Computer Simulation of a Weber Antenna, G. V.Pallottino ************************** 123 Comments on the Gravitational Radiation Experiments, J. Weber ** 135 Estimated Sensitivity of the Low Temperature Gravitational Wave Antenna in Rome, G. Pizzella ************************* 139 The L. S. U. Low Temperature Gravity Wave Experiment, W. O. Hamilton, T. P. Bernat, D. G. Blair, W. C. Oelfke ******* 149 Optimal Detection of Signals through Linear Devices with Thermal Noise Sources and Application to the Munich- Frascati Weber-Type Gravitational Wave Detectors, P. Kafka ...161 Synchrotron Radiation and Astrophysics, A. A.