275 research outputs found
The search for black hole binaries using a genetic algorithm
In this work we use genetic algorithm to search for the gravitational wave
signal from the inspiralling massive Black Hole binaries in the simulated LISA
data. We consider a single signal in the Gaussian instrumental noise. This is a
first step in preparation for analysis of the third round of the mock LISA data
challenge. We have extended a genetic algorithm utilizing the properties of the
signal and the detector response function. The performance of this method is
comparable, if not better, to already existing algorithms.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, proceeding for GWDAW13 (Puerto Rico
LISACode : A scientific simulator of LISA
A new LISA simulator (LISACode) is presented. Its ambition is to achieve a
new degree of sophistication allowing to map, as closely as possible, the
impact of the different sub-systems on the measurements. LISACode is not a
detailed simulator at the engineering level but rather a tool whose purpose is
to bridge the gap between the basic principles of LISA and a future,
sophisticated end-to-end simulator. This is achieved by introducing, in a
realistic manner, most of the ingredients that will influence LISA's
sensitivity as well as the application of TDI combinations. Many user-defined
parameters allow the code to study different configurations of LISA thus
helping to finalize the definition of the detector. Another important use of
LISACode is in generating time series for data analysis developments
Fundamental physics and cosmology with LISA
In this article we give a brief review of the fundamental physics that can be done with the future space-based gravitational wave detector LISA. This includes detection of gravitational wave bursts coming from cosmic strings, measuring a stochastic gravitational wave background, mapping spacetime around massive compact objects in galactic nuclei with extreme-mass-ratio inspirals and testing the predictions of General Relativity for the strong dynamical fields of inspiralling binaries. We give particular attention to new results which show the capability of LISA to constrain cosmological parameters using observations of coalescing massive Black Hole binaries
Space-based Gravitational Wave Observatories
In this article, which will appear as a chapter in the Handbook of Gravitational Wave Astronomy, we will describe the detection of gravitational waves with space-based interferometric gravitational wave observatories. We will provide an overview of the key technologies underlying their operation, illustrated using the specific example of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). We will then give an overview of data analysis strategies for space-based detectors, including a description of time-delay interferometry, which is required to suppress laser frequency noise to the necessary level. We will describe the main sources of gravitational waves in the millihertz frequency range targeted by space-based detectors and then discuss some of the key science investigations that these observations will facilitate. Once again, quantitative statements given here will make reference to the capabilities of LISA, as that is the best studied mission concept. Finally, we will describe some of the proposals for even more sensitive space-based detectors that could be launched further in the future
Facing the LISA Data Analysis Challenge
By being the first observatory to survey the source rich low frequency region
of the gravitational wave spectrum, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
(LISA) will revolutionize our understanding of the Cosmos. For the first time
we will be able to detect the gravitational radiation from millions of galactic
binaries, the coalescence of two massive black holes, and the inspirals of
compact objects into massive black holes. The signals from multiple sources in
each class, and possibly others as well, will be simultaneously present in the
data. To achieve the enormous scientific return possible with LISA,
sophisticated data analysis techniques must be developed which can mine the
complex data in an effort to isolate and characterize individual signals. This
proceedings paper very briefly summarizes the challenges associated with
analyzing the LISA data, the current state of affairs, and the necessary next
steps to move forward in addressing the imminent challenges.Comment: 4 pages, no figures, Proceedings paper for the TeV Particle
Astrophysics II conference held Aug 28-31 at the Univ. of Wisconsi
TDI noises transfer functions for LISA
The LISA mission is the future space-based gravitational wave (GW)observatory of the European Space Agency. It is formed by 3 spacecraftexchanging laser beams in order to form multiple real and virtualinterferometers. The data streams to be used in order to extract the largenumber and variety of GW sources are Time-Delay Interferometry (TDI) data. Oneimportant processing to produce these data is the TDI on-ground processingwhich recombines multiple interferometric on-board measurements to removecertain noise sources from the data such as laser frequency noise or spacecraftjitter. The LISA noise budget is therefore expressed at the TDI level in orderto account for the different TDI transfer functions applied for each noisesource and thus estimate their real weight on mission performance. In order toderive a usable form of these transfer functions, a model of the beams, themeasurements, and TDI have been developed, and several approximation have beenmade. A methodology for such a derivation has been established, as well asverification procedures. It results in a set of transfer functions, which arenow used by the LISA project, in particular in its performance model. Usingthese transfer functions, realistic noise curves for various instrumentalconfigurations are provided to data analysis algorithms and used for instrumentdesign.<br
The Mock LISA Data Challenges: from Challenge 3 to Challenge 4
The Mock LISA Data Challenges are a program to demonstrate LISA data-analysis
capabilities and to encourage their development. Each round of challenges
consists of one or more datasets containing simulated instrument noise and
gravitational waves from sources of undisclosed parameters. Participants
analyze the datasets and report best-fit solutions for the source parameters.
Here we present the results of the third challenge, issued in Apr 2008, which
demonstrated the positive recovery of signals from chirping Galactic binaries,
from spinning supermassive--black-hole binaries (with optimal SNRs between ~ 10
and 2000), from simultaneous extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (SNRs of 10-50), from
cosmic-string-cusp bursts (SNRs of 10-100), and from a relatively loud
isotropic background with Omega_gw(f) ~ 10^-11, slightly below the LISA
instrument noise.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, proceedings of the 8th Edoardo Amaldi Conference
on Gravitational Waves, New York, June 21-26, 200
The noise properties of 42 millisecond pulsars from the European Pulsar Timing Array and their impact on gravitational wave searches
The sensitivity of Pulsar Timing Arrays to gravitational waves depends on the
noise present in the individual pulsar timing data. Noise may be either
intrinsic or extrinsic to the pulsar. Intrinsic sources of noise will include
rotational instabilities, for example. Extrinsic sources of noise include
contributions from physical processes which are not sufficiently well modelled,
for example, dispersion and scattering effects, analysis errors and
instrumental instabilities. We present the results from a noise analysis for 42
millisecond pulsars (MSPs) observed with the European Pulsar Timing Array. For
characterising the low-frequency, stochastic and achromatic noise component, or
"timing noise", we employ two methods, based on Bayesian and frequentist
statistics. For 25 MSPs, we achieve statistically significant measurements of
their timing noise parameters and find that the two methods give consistent
results. For the remaining 17 MSPs, we place upper limits on the timing noise
amplitude at the 95% confidence level. We additionally place an upper limit on
the contribution to the pulsar noise budget from errors in the reference
terrestrial time standards (below 1%), and we find evidence for a noise
component which is present only in the data of one of the four used telescopes.
Finally, we estimate that the timing noise of individual pulsars reduces the
sensitivity of this data set to an isotropic, stochastic GW background by a
factor of >9.1 and by a factor of >2.3 for continuous GWs from resolvable,
inspiralling supermassive black-hole binaries with circular orbits.Comment: Accepted for publication by the Monthly Notices of the Royal
Astronomical Societ
Characteristics of Correlated Photon Pairs Generated in Ultra-compact Silicon Slow-light Photonic Crystal Waveguides
We report the characterization of correlated photon pairs generated in
dispersion-engineered silicon slow-light photonic crystal waveguides pumped by
picosecond pulses. We found that taking advantage of the 15 nm flat-band
slow-light window (vg ~ c/30) the bandwidth for correlated photon-pair
generation in 96 and 196 \mum long waveguides was at least 11.2 nm; while a 396
\mum long waveguide reduced the bandwidth to 8 nm (only half of the slow-light
bandwidth due to the increased impact of phase matching in a longer waveguide).
The key metrics for a photon-pair source: coincidence to accidental ratio (CAR)
and pair brightness were measured to be a maximum 33 at a pair generation rate
of 0.004 pair per pulse in a 196 \mum long waveguide. Within the measurement
errors the maximum CAR achieved in 96, 196 and 396 \mum long waveguides is
constant. The noise analysis shows that detector dark counts, leaked pump
light, linear and nonlinear losses, multiple pair generation and detector
jitter are the limiting factors to the CAR performance of the sources.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
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