Search for gravitational-lensing signatures in the full third observing run of the LIGO-Virgo network

Gravitational lensing by massive objects along the line of sight to the source causes distortions of gravitational wave-signals; such distortions may reveal information about fundamental physics, cosmology and astrophysics. In this work, we have extended the search for lensing signatures to all binary black hole events from the third observing run of the LIGO--Virgo network. We search for repeated signals from strong lensing by 1) performing targeted searches for subthreshold signals, 2) calculating the degree of overlap amongst the intrinsic parameters and sky location of pairs of signals, 3) comparing the similarities of the spectrograms amongst pairs of signals, and 4) performing dual-signal Bayesian analysis that takes into account selection effects and astrophysical knowledge. We also search for distortions to the gravitational waveform caused by 1) frequency-independent phase shifts in strongly lensed images, and 2) frequency-dependent modulation of the amplitude and phase due to point masses. None of these searches yields significant evidence for lensing. Finally, we use the non-detection of gravitational-wave lensing to constrain the lensing rate based on the latest merger-rate estimates and the fraction of dark matter composed of compact objects

Search for eccentric black hole coalescences during the third observing run of LIGO and Virgo

Despite the growing number of confident binary black hole coalescences observed through gravitational waves so far, the astrophysical origin of these binaries remains uncertain. Orbital eccentricity is one of the clearest tracers of binary formation channels. Identifying binary eccentricity, however, remains challenging due to the limited availability of gravitational waveforms that include effects of eccentricity. Here, we present observational results for a waveform-independent search sensitive to eccentric black hole coalescences, covering the third observing run (O3) of the LIGO and Virgo detectors. We identified no new high-significance candidates beyond those that were already identified with searches focusing on quasi-circular binaries. We determine the sensitivity of our search to high-mass (total mass M>70 M⊙) binaries covering eccentricities up to 0.3 at 15 Hz orbital frequency, and use this to compare model predictions to search results. Assuming all detections are indeed quasi-circular, for our fiducial population model, we place an upper limit for the merger rate density of high-mass binaries with eccentricities 0<e≤0.3 at 0.33 Gpc−3 yr−1 at 90\% confidence level

Investigation on capacitively loaded microstrip line

In this work, a microstrip transmission line with a planar left-handed structure, is investigated. Negative μ is achieved by creating periodic capacitive slots in the conducting strip of line. By using the transmission matrix method for periodic structures, these slots are analyzed. To this end, the unit cell is considered as a combination of two series capacitors and a section of transmission line, and then the transmission matrix of this unit cell is calculated. The dispersion relation verifies the existence of a stop band with a negative magnetic permeability (μ < 0) below the cut-off frequency. The width of stop band can be controlled by changing the structure dimensions

Tuning Optical Nonlinearity in Epoxy plates

In this paper we presented open and closed-aperture Z-Scan method investigating 1 and 2 mm thickness optical epoxy plate nonlinear optical responses.  The samples heated up to 175 °C and the saturable absorption (SA) and two-photon absorption (TPA) processes reviewed.  Since 2groups of the samples showed SA behavior for low intensity laser pulses then these plates promising candidate for saturable absorption devices

The Second-Harmonic Generation in a Dissipative and Dispersion Layered Structure

The conversion efficiency of the fundamental radiation to the second harmonic wave is investigated under different linear absorptions of the interactive waves in a layered structure. We have considered that both the fundamental and the generated second harmonic waves are arbitrarily absorbed in each layer without any relation between them that has been considered on the previous studies. The layers of the structure are assumed to have different linear and nonlinear optical absorptions

The second-harmonic generation in a dissipative and dispersion layered structure

Conversion efficiency of second-harmonic generation (SHG) in a multicrystal structure arrangement, under linearly absorption of interacting waves was analytically investigated. Different linear absorption and nonlinear interaction coefficients were considered for both of the fundamental and the second harmonic waves in cascade layers. The intensity-constant approximation on fundamental wave radiation was applied in calculations. Behavior of conversion efficiency with interaction coherence length of fundamental wave, phase miss-matching and ratio of linear absorption coefficients were graphically illustrated. The results are shown that in multicrystal structure scheme, the conversion efficiency can be tuned by the interaction coherent length and it is possible to compensate the phase differences induced in the previous layers. The phase compensation between the layers is the physical reason of efficiency improvement

Open data from the first and second observing runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo

Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo are monitoring the sky and collecting gravitational-wave strain data with sufficient sensitivity to detect signals routinely. In this paper we describe the data recorded by these instruments during their first and second observing runs. The main data products are gravitational-wave strain time series sampled at 16384 Hz. The datasets that include this strain measurement can be freely accessed through the Gravitational Wave Open Science Center at http://gw-openscience.org, together with data-quality information essential for the analysis of LIGO and Virgo data, documentation, tutorials, and supporting software

Search for intermediate-mass black hole binaries in the third observing run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo

International audienceIntermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) span the approximate mass range 100−105 M⊙, between black holes (BHs) that formed by stellar collapse and the supermassive BHs at the centers of galaxies. Mergers of IMBH binaries are the most energetic gravitational-wave sources accessible by the terrestrial detector network. Searches of the first two observing runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo did not yield any significant IMBH binary signals. In the third observing run (O3), the increased network sensitivity enabled the detection of GW190521, a signal consistent with a binary merger of mass ∼150 M⊙ providing direct evidence of IMBH formation. Here, we report on a dedicated search of O3 data for further IMBH binary mergers, combining both modeled (matched filter) and model-independent search methods. We find some marginal candidates, but none are sufficiently significant to indicate detection of further IMBH mergers. We quantify the sensitivity of the individual search methods and of the combined search using a suite of IMBH binary signals obtained via numerical relativity, including the effects of spins misaligned with the binary orbital axis, and present the resulting upper limits on astrophysical merger rates. Our most stringent limit is for equal mass and aligned spin BH binary of total mass 200 M⊙ and effective aligned spin 0.8 at 0.056 Gpc−3 yr−1 (90% confidence), a factor of 3.5 more constraining than previous LIGO-Virgo limits. We also update the estimated rate of mergers similar to GW190521 to 0.08 Gpc−3 yr−1.Key words: gravitational waves / stars: black holes / black hole physicsCorresponding author: W. Del Pozzo, e-mail: [email protected]† Deceased, August 2020