From upper limits to detection: continuous gravitational waves in the advanced detector era

Macdonald, Erin Patricia (2012) From upper limits to detection: continuous gravitational waves in the advanced detector era. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis concerns continuous gravitational wave signals from non-axisymmetric neutron stars and ground-based interferometric detectors. These detectors are currently being upgraded and this thesis explores relevant issues and methods to prepare for the advanced detector era. A study into sensitivity dependence on the addition of a southern hemisphere detector for a targeted continuous wave search is first presented. Next, we study the effect of close and/or high velocity neutron stars on the ability of a blind, all-sky search to make a detection. Initial results from a narrowband search for signals from the Crab Pulsar and a blind hardware injected signal are then presented. Finally, we describe the development and initial implementation of a large-scale mock data challenge designed to test current continuous wave algorithms to explore various issues before we enter the advanced detector era.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: gravitational waves, data analysis, neutron stars, astronomy, physics, astrophysics, advanced detectors
• Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy; Q Science > QC Physics
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Supervisor's Name: Woan, Prof. Graham and Heng, Dr. Ik Siong
• Date of Award: 2012
• Depositing User: Mrs Erin Patricia Macdonald
• Unique ID: glathesis:2012-3608
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 02 Oct 2012
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 14:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/3608