528 research outputs found
Using supernova neutrinos to monitor the collapse, to search for gravity waves and to probe neutrino masses
We discuss the importance of observing supernova neutrinos. By analyzing the
SN1987A observations of Kamiokande-II, IMB and Baksan, we show that they
provide a 2.5{\sigma} support to the standard scenario for the explosion. We
discuss in this context the use of neutrinos as trigger for the search of the
gravity wave impulsive emission. We derive a bound on the neutrino mass using
the SN1987A data and argue, using simulated data, that a future galactic
supernova could probe the sub-eV region.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure. Proceeding for the Galileo-Xu Guangqi meeting: The
Sun, the Stars, the Universe and General Relativity; October 26-30, 2009,
Shanghai (China). Accepted for publication at International Journal of Modern
Physics
Pythia 8 as hadronic interaction model in air shower simulations
Hadronic interaction models are a core ingredient of simulations of extensive air showers and pose the major source of uncertainties of predictions of air shower observables. Recently, Pythia 8, a hadronic interaction model popular in accelerator-based high-energy physics, became usable in air shower simulations as well. We have integrated Pythia 8 with its new capabilities into the air shower simulation framework CORSIKA 8. First results show significantly shallower shower development, which we attribute to higher cross-section predictions by the new simplified nuclear model of Pythia
Searching for prompt signatures of nearby core-collapse supernovae by a joint analysis of neutrino and gravitational-wave data
We discuss the science motivations and prospects for a joint analysis of
gravitational-wave (GW) and low-energy neutrino data to search for prompt
signals from nearby supernovae (SNe). Both gravitational-wave and low-energy
neutrinos are expected to be produced in the innermost region of a
core-collapse supernova, and a search for coincident signals would probe the
processes which power a supernova explosion. It is estimated that the current
generation of neutrino and gravitational-wave detectors would be sensitive to
Galactic core-collapse supernovae, and would also be able to detect
electromagnetically dark SNe. A joint GW-neutrino search would enable
improvements to searches by way of lower detection thresholds, larger distance
range, better live-time coverage by a network of GW and neutrino detectors, and
increased significance of candidate detections. A close collaboration between
the GW and neutrino communities for such a search will thus go far toward
realizing a much sought-after astrophysics goal of detecting the next nearby
supernova.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. To appear in Class. Quantum Gra
Features of Kamiokande-II, IMB and Baksan observations and their interpretation in a two-component model for the signal
We consider the time, angular and energy distributions of SN1987A events
discussing the quality of their agreement with the expectations. A global
interpretation is performed considering a simple model, based on the standard
scenario for the explosion. Despite the contrasting and confusing indications,
a straightforward fit to the data provides a result that does not contradict
but rather supports the expectations. The calculated electron antineutrino flux
is applied to predict the relic neutrino signal.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy Letter
Virgo calibration and reconstruction of the gravitational wave strain during VSR1
Virgo is a kilometer-length interferometer for gravitational waves detection
located near Pisa. Its first science run, VSR1, occured from May to October
2007. The aims of the calibration are to measure the detector sensitivity and
to reconstruct the time series of the gravitational wave strain h(t). The
absolute length calibration is based on an original non-linear reconstruction
of the differential arm length variations in free swinging Michelson
configurations. It uses the laser wavelength as length standard. This method is
used to calibrate the frequency dependent response of the Virgo mirror
actuators and derive the detector in-loop response and sensitivity within ~5%.
The principle of the strain reconstruction is highlighted and the h(t)
systematic errors are estimated. A photon calibrator is used to check the sign
of h(t). The reconstructed h(t) during VSR1 is valid from 10 Hz up to 10 kHz
with systematic errors estimated to 6% in amplitude. The phase error is
estimated to be 70 mrad below 1.9 kHz and 6 micro-seconds above.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, proceedings of Amaldi 8 conference, to be
published in Journal of Physics Conference Series (JPCS). Second release:
correct typo
Search for gravitational waves associated with the InterPlanetary Network short gamma ray bursts
We outline the scientific motivation behind a search for gravitational waves
associated with short gamma ray bursts detected by the InterPlanetary Network
(IPN) during LIGO's fifth science run and Virgo's first science run. The IPN
localisation of short gamma ray bursts is limited to extended error boxes of
different shapes and sizes and a search on these error boxes poses a series of
challenges for data analysis. We will discuss these challenges and outline the
methods to optimise the search over these error boxes.Comment: Methods paper; Proceedings for Eduardo Amaldi 9 Conference on
Gravitational Waves, July 2011, Cardiff, U
Calibration and sensitivity of the Virgo detector during its second science run
The Virgo detector is a kilometer-length interferometer for gravitational
wave detection located near Pisa (Italy). During its second science run (VSR2)
in 2009, six months of data were accumulated with a sensitivity close to its
design. In this paper, the methods used to determine the parameters for
sensitivity estimation and gravitational wave reconstruction are described. The
main quantities to be calibrated are the frequency response of the mirror
actuation and the sensing of the output power. Focus is also put on their
absolute timing. The monitoring of the calibration data as well as the
parameter estimation with independent techniques are discussed to provide an
estimation of the calibration uncertainties. Finally, the estimation of the
Virgo sensitivity in the frequency-domain is described and typical
sensitivities measured during VSR2 are shown.Comment: 30 pages, 23 figures, 1 table. Published in Classical and Quantum
Gravity (CQG), Corrigendum include
Sensitivity to Gravitational Waves from Compact Binary Coalescences Achieved during LIGO's Fifth and Virgo's First Science Run
We summarize the sensitivity achieved by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational
wave detectors for compact binary coalescence (CBC) searches during LIGO's
fifth science run and Virgo's first science run. We present noise spectral
density curves for each of the four detectors that operated during these
science runs which are representative of the typical performance achieved by
the detectors for CBC searches. These spectra are intended for release to the
public as a summary of detector performance for CBC searches during these
science runs.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
Search for Gravitational Wave Bursts from Six Magnetars
Soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) and anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) are thought to be magnetars: neutron stars powered by extreme magnetic fields. These rare objects are characterized by repeated and sometimes spectacular gamma-ray bursts. The burst mechanism might involve crustal fractures and excitation of non-radial modes which would emit gravitational waves (GWs). We present the results of a search for GW bursts from six galactic magnetars that is sensitive to neutron star f-modes, thought to be the most efficient GW emitting oscillatory modes in compact stars. One of them, SGR 0501+4516, is likely similar to 1 kpc from Earth, an order of magnitude closer than magnetars targeted in previous GW searches. A second, AXP 1E 1547.0-5408, gave a burst with an estimated isotropic energy >10(44) erg which is comparable to the giant flares. We find no evidence of GWs associated with a sample of 1279 electromagnetic triggers from six magnetars occurring between 2006 November and 2009 June, in GW data from the LIGO, Virgo, and GEO600 detectors. Our lowest model-dependent GW emission energy upper limits for band-and time-limited white noise bursts in the detector sensitive band, and for f-mode ringdowns (at 1090 Hz), are 3.0 x 10(44)d(1)(2) erg and 1.4 x 10(47)d(1)(2) erg, respectively, where d(1) = d(0501)/1 kpc and d(0501) is the distance to SGR 0501+4516. These limits on GW emission from f-modes are an order of magnitude lower than any previous, and approach the range of electromagnetic energies seen in SGR giant flares for the first time.United States National Science FoundationScience and Technology Facilities Council of the United KingdomMax-Planck-SocietyState of Niedersachsen/GermanyItalian Istituto Nazionale di Fisica NucleareFrench Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueAustralian Research CouncilCouncil of Scientific and Industrial Research of IndiaIstituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare of ItalySpanish Ministerio de Educacion y CienciaConselleria d'Economia Hisenda i Innovacio of the Govern de les Illes BalearsFoundation for Fundamental Research on Matter supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific ResearchPolish Ministry of Science and Higher EducationFoundation for Polish ScienceRoyal SocietyScottish Funding CouncilScottish Universities Physics AllianceNational Aeronautics and Space Administration NNH07ZDA001-GLASTCarnegie TrustLeverhulme TrustDavid and Lucile Packard FoundationResearch CorporationAlfred P. Sloan FoundationRussian Space AgencyRFBR 09-02-00166aIPN JPL Y503559 (Odyssey), NASA NNG06GH00G, NASA NNX07AM42G, NASA NNX08AC89G (INTEGRAL), NASA NNG06GI896, NASA NNX07AJ65G, NASA NNX08AN23G (Swift), NASA NNX07AR71G (MESSENGER), NASA NNX06AI36G, NASA NNX08AB84G, NASA NNX08AZ85G (Suzaku), NASA NNX09AU03G (Fermi)Astronom
Search for Gravitational Waves from Low Mass Compact Binary Coalescence in LIGO's Sixth Science Run and Virgo's Science Runs 2 and 3
We report on a search for gravitational waves from coalescing compact
binaries using LIGO and Virgo observations between July 7, 2009 and October 20,
2010. We searched for signals from binaries with total mass between 2 and 25
solar masses; this includes binary neutron stars, binary black holes, and
binaries consisting of a black hole and neutron star. The detectors were
sensitive to systems up to 40 Mpc distant for binary neutron stars, and further
for higher mass systems. No gravitational-wave signals were detected. We report
upper limits on the rate of compact binary coalescence as a function of total
mass, including the results from previous LIGO and Virgo observations. The
cumulative 90%-confidence rate upper limits of the binary coalescence of binary
neutron star, neutron star- black hole and binary black hole systems are 1.3 x
10^{-4}, 3.1 x 10^{-5} and 6.4 x 10^{-6} Mpc^{-3}yr^{-1}, respectively. These
upper limits are up to a factor 1.4 lower than previously derived limits. We
also report on results from a blind injection challenge.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. For a repository of data used in the
publication, go to:
. Also see the
announcement for this paper on ligo.org at:
<http://www.ligo.org/science/Publication-S6CBCLowMass/index.php
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