MG11 
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Status of the LIGO interferometers

Last year the three interferometers of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) reached design sensitivity, corresponding to a strain sensitivity of 2.5e-23 Hz^{-1/2} at 150 Hz. They are now collecting data full time. This achievement required an understanding of a number of subtle unforeseen effects and some innovative design solutions to overcome them. The currently limiting noise sources are now well understood. This sets the stage for the next round of upgrades, which promise another factor of 2 improvement in the strain sensitivity.