POSSIBLE RESONATOR CONFIGURATIONS FOR THE SPHERICAL GRAVITATIONAL-WAVE ANTENNA

We solve algebraically the equations of motion for a spherical antenna coupled to an arbitrary number of small resonators, free to move radi ally, and investigate the conditions under which damping forces can be neglected in the system. We show that in order that the antenna's mod es be decoupled a preferred distribution of the resonators on its surf ace should be used. We find that either 5, 6, 10 or 16 resonators can be used as long as they are conveniently positioned on the antenna's s urface. Mie calculate and analyse the frequency shift and the signal-t o-noise ratio of the coupled system for the Various distributions stud ied.