Description:
<jats:p>A simple and accurate method of calibrating the response of a resonant-mass gravitational wave detector to an impulsive signal is discussed. The procedure automatically includes the effects of the detection electronics chain and any filtering algorithm that is applied. The method provides a direct measure of the frequency dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) referred to a signal that has a white frequency spectrum. Measurement of this quantity allows us to determine the pulse detection noise temperature that can be obtained by optimum linear filtering of the detector output. Experimental results are presented.</jats:p>