Limits on gravitational-wave emission from selected pulsars using LIGO data

We place direct upper limits on the amplitude of gravitational waves from 28 isolated radio pulsars by a coherent multidetector analysis of the data collected during the second science run of the LIGO interferometric detectors. These are the first direct upper limits for 26 of the 28 pulsars. We use coordinated radio observations for the first time to build radio-guided phase templates for the expected gravitational-wave signals. The unprecedented sensitivity of the detectors allows us to set strain upper limits as low as a few times 10(-24). These strain limits translate into limits on the equatorial ellipticities of the pulsars, which are smaller than 10(-5) for the four closest pulsars.     

Pulsar Astronomy, 4th edn., by A. Lyne and F. Graham-Smith

The aim of this paper on the experimental research on gravitational waves is to stimulate the interest of the scientific community on this subject. In the following we try to stress the impact of this subject on fundamental physics, and the interdisciplinary aspects involved in the present experimental efforts. Details of current experiments will not be given. In sections 1- 8, we summarize the main features of gravitational waves and some of the principal astrophysical processes involving emission of gravitational radiation. In sections 9- 18, we review the detection principles, the intrinsic limits of the detectors and the peculiarities of the gravitational-wave data analysis.     

Gravitational Wave Science with Laser Interferometers and Pulsar Timing

Within this decade, gravitational wave detection will open a new observational window on the Universe. Advanced ground-based interferometers covering the kilohertz frequency range will be online by 2016, and the announcement of a first detection within 5 years is foreseeable. At the same time, a worldwide effort for detecting low-frequency waves (in the nanohertz regime) by timing ultra-precise millisecond pulsars is rapidly growing, possibly leading to a positive detection within this decade. The millihertz regime, bridging these two windows, is the realm of space-based interferometers, which might be launched in the late 1920s. I provide here a short overview of the scientific payouts of gravitational wave astronomy, focusing the discussion on the low-frequency regime (pulsar timing and space-based interferometry). A detailed discussion of advanced ground-based interferometer can be found in Patrick Brady’s contribution to this proceeding series.     

Displacement- and timing-noise-free gravitational-wave detection

Motivated by a recently invented scheme of displacement-noise-free gravitational-wave detection, we demonstrate the existence of gravitational-wave detection schemes insusceptible to both displacement and timing (laser) noises and are thus realizable by shot-noise-limited laser interferometry. This is possible due to two reasons: first, gravitational waves and displacement disturbances contribute to light propagation times in different manners; second, for an N-detector system, the number of signal channels is of the order Omicron(N(2)), while the total number of timing- and displacement-noise channels is of the order Omicron(N).     

Listening to the universe with gravitational-wave astronomy

The LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) detectors have just completed their first science run, following many years of planning, research, and development. LIGO is a member of what will be a worldwide network of gravitational-wave observatories, with other members in Europe, Japan, and—hopefully—Australia. Plans are rapidly maturing for a low frequency, space-based gravitational-wave observatory: LISA, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, to be launched around 2011. The goal of these instruments is to inaugurate the field of gravitational-wave astronomy: using gravitational waves as a means of listening to highly relativistic dynamical processes in astrophysics. This review discusses the promise of this field, outlining why gravitational waves are worth pursuing, and what they are uniquely suited to teach us about astrophysical phenomena. We review the current state of the field, both theoretical and experimental, and then highlight some aspects of gravitational-wave science that are particularly exciting (at least to this author).     

Stable operation of a 300-m laser interferometer with sufficient sensitivity to detect gravitational-wave events within our galaxy

TAMA300, an interferometric gravitational-wave detector with 300-m baseline length, has been developed and operated with sufficient sensitivity to detect gravitational-wave events within our galaxy and sufficient stability for observations; the interferometer was operated for over 10 hours stably and continuously. With a strain-equivalent noise level of h approximately 5x10(-21)/sqrt[Hz], a signal-to-noise ratio of 30 is expected for gravitational waves generated by a coalescence of 1.4M-1.4M binary neutron stars at 10 kpc distance. We evaluated the stability of the detector sensitivity with a 2-week data-taking run, collecting 160 hours of data to be analyzed in the search for gravitational waves.     

Current status of gravitational wave observations

The first generation of gravitational wave interferometric detectors have taken data at, or close to, their design sensitivity. This data has been searched for a broad range of gravitational wave signatures. An overview of gravitational wave search methods and results are presented. Searches for gravitational waves from unmodelled burst sources, compact binary coalescences, continuous wave sources and stochastic backgrounds are discussed.     

Toward the detection of gravitational waves

Detection of the gravitational waves predicted by the theory of general relativity is still an open experimental venture. Several detectors designed for the frequency range between 10 Hz and 10 kHz are being built. Their expected sensitivity is near the required level for the detection of realistic astrophysical events. The expected signals and the main sources of noise are discussed together with perspectives in detector improvement.     

The next detectors for gravitational wave astronomy

This paper focuses on the next detectors for gravitational wave astronomy which will be required after the current ground based detectors have completed their initial observations, and probably achieved the first direct detection of gravitational waves. The next detectors will need to have greater sensitivity, while also enabling the world array of detectors to have improved angular resolution to allow localisation of signal sources. Sect. 1 of this paper begins by reviewing proposals for the next ground based detectors,and presents an analysis of the sensitivity of an 8 km armlength detector, which is proposed as a safe and cost-effective means to attain a 4-fold improvement in sensitivity. The scientific benefits of creating a pair of such detectors in China and Australia is emphasised. Sect. 2 of this paper discusses the high performance suspension systems for test masses that will be an essential component for future detectors, while sect. 3 discusses solutions to the problem of Newtonian noise which arise from fluctuations in gravity gradient forces acting on test masses. Such gravitational perturbations cannot be shielded, and set limits to low frequency sensitivity unless measured and suppressed. Sects. 4 and 5 address critical operational technologies that will be ongoing issues in future detectors. Sect. 4 addresses the design of thermal compensation systems needed in all high optical power interferometers operating at room temperature. Parametric instability control is addressed in sect. 5. Only recently proven to occur in Advanced LIGO, parametric instability phenomenon brings both risks and opportunities for future detectors. The path to future enhancements of detectors will come from quantum measurement technologies. Sect. 6 focuses on the use of optomechanical devices for obtaining enhanced sensitivity, while sect. 7 reviews a range of quantum measurement options.     

Gravitational waves and astrophysical sources

In linear approximation to general relativity, gravitational waves can be thought of as perturbation of the background metric that propagate at the speed of light. A time-varying quadrupole of matter distribution causes the emission of gravitational waves. Application of Einsteinʼs quadrupole formula to radio binary pulsars has confirmed the existence of gravitational waves and vindicated general relativity to a phenomenal degree of accuracy. Gravitational radiation is also thought to drive binary supermassive black holes to coalescence – the final chapter in the dynamics of galaxy collisions. Binaries of compact stars (i.e., neutron stars and/or black holes) are expected to be the most luminous sources of gravitational radiation. The goal of this review is to provide a heuristic picture of what gravitational waves are, outline the worldwide effort to detect astronomical sources, describe the basic tools necessary to estimate their amplitudes and discuss potential sources of gravitational waves and their detectability with detectors that are currently being built and planned for the future.     

Gravitational waves from neutron stars: promises and challenges

We discuss different ways that neutron stars can generate gravitational waves, describe recent improvements in modelling the relevant scenarios in the context of improving detector sensitivity, and show how observations are beginning to test our understanding of fundamental physics. The main purpose of the discussion is to establish promising science goals for third-generation ground-based detectors, like the Einstein Telescope, and identify the various challenges that need to be met if we want to use gravitational-wave data to probe neutron star physics.     

Astrophysics from data analysis of spherical gravitational wave detectors

The direct detection of gravitational waves will provide valuable astrophysical information about many celestial objects. Also, it will be an important test to general relativity and other theories of gravitation. The gravitational wave detector SCHENBERG has recently undergone its first test run. It is expected to have its first scientific run soon. In this work the data analysis system of this spherical, resonant mass detector is tested through the simulation of the detection of gravitational waves generated during the inspiralling phase of a binary system. It is shown from the simulated data that it is not necessary to have all six transducers operational in order to determine the source’s direction and the wave’s amplitudes.     

Searching for gravitational waves from rotating neutron stars

Rotating neutron stars are one of the important sources of gravitational waves (GW) for the ground based as well as space based detectors. Since the waves are emitted continuously, the source is termed as a continuous gravitational wave (CGW) source. The expected weakness of the signal requires long integration times (∼year). The data analysis problem involves tracking the phase coherently over such large integration times, which makes it the most computationally intensive problem among all GW sources envisaged. In this article, the general problem of data analysis is discussed, and more so, in the context of searching for CGW sources orbiting another companion object. The problem is important because there are several pulsars, which could be deemed to be CGW sources orbiting another companion star. Differential geometric techniques for data analysis are described and used to obtain computational costs. These results are applied to known systems to assess whether such systems are detectable with current (or near future) computing resources.     

Upper limits on the cosmological gravitational wave background and maser clocks in space

We consider the possibility of detecting gravitational waves through the measurement of a time varying phase shift using a hydrogen maser clock on a satellite. Such measurements enable us to put interesting upper limits on the contribution of the gravitational-wave background to the dimensionless density of the Universe. The requirements on residual accelerations and the sensitivity of an accelerometer on the spacecraft are shown to be realistic and could be achieved using the accelerometer technology developed by ONERA for the ARISTOTELES mission. Such an experiment placing upper limits on the cosmological gravitational wave background could be conducted using the proposed Russian satellite Millimetron.On leave from the Astro Space Center, Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow, Russia     

Torsion-bar antenna for low-frequency gravitational-wave observations

We propose a novel type of gravitational-wave antenna, formed by two bar-shaped test masses and laser-interferometric sensors to monitor their differential angular fluctuations. This antenna has a fundamental sensitivity to low-frequency signals below 1 Hz, even with a ground-based configuration. In addition, it is possible to expand the observation band to a lower limit determined by the observation time, by using modulation and up-conversion of gravitational-wave signals by rotation of the antenna. The potential sensitivity of this antenna is superior to those of current detectors in a 1 mHz-10 Hz frequency band and is sufficient for observations of gravitational waves radiated from in-spiral and merger events of intermediate-mass black holes.     

A new mechanism for gravitational-wave emission in core-collapse supernovae

We present a new theory for the gravitational-wave signatures of core-collapse supernovae. Previous studies identified axisymmetric rotating core collapse, core bounce, postbounce convection, and anisotropic neutrino emission as the primary processes and phases for the radiation of gravitational waves. Our results, which are based on axisymmetric Newtonian supernova simulations, indicate that the dominant emission process of gravitational waves in core-collapse supernovae may be the oscillations of the protoneutron star core. The oscillations are predominantly of mode character, are excited hundreds of milliseconds after bounce, and typically last for several hundred milliseconds. Our results suggest that even nonrotating core-collapse supernovae should be visible to current LIGO-class detectors throughout the Galaxy, and depending on progenitor structure, possibly out to megaparsec distances.     

Summary of session C1: pulsar timing arrays

This paper summarizes parallel session C1: Pulsar Timing Arrays of the Amaldi10/GR20 Meeting held in Warsaw, Poland in July 2013. The session showcased recent results from pulsar timing array collaborations, advances in modelling the gravitational-wave signal, and new methods to search for and characterize gravitational waves in pulsar timing array observations.     

A brief history of gravitational wave research

For the benefit of the readers of this journal, the editors requested that we prepare a brief review of the history of the development of the theory, the experimental attempts to detect them, and the recent direct observations of gravitational waves (GWs). The theoretical ideas and disputes beginning with Einstein in 1916 regarding the existence and nature of gravitational waves and the extent to which one can rely on the electromagnetic analogy, especially the controversies regarding the quadrupole formula and whether gravitational waves carry energy, are discussed. The theoretical conclusions eventually received strong observational support from the binary pulsar. This provided compelling, although indirect, evidence for gravitational waves carrying away energy—as predicted by the quadrupole formula. On the direct detection experimental side, Joseph Weber started more than fifty years ago. In 1966, his bar for GW detection reached a strain sensitivity of a few times ${10}^{?16}$. His announcement of coincident signals (now considered spurious), stimulated many experimental efforts from room temperature resonant masses to cryogenic detectors and laser-interferometers. Now there are km-sized interferometric detectors (LIGO Hanford, LIGO Livingston, Virgo and KAGRA). Advanced LIGO first reached a strain sensitivity of the order of ${10}^{?22}$. During their first 130 days of observation (O1 run), with the aid of templates generated by numerical relativity, they did make the first detections: two 5-σ GW events and one likely event. Besides earth-based GW detectors, the drag-free sensitivity of the LISA Pathfinder has already reached to the LISA goal level, paving the road for space GW detectors. Over the whole GW spectrum (from aHz to THz) there are efforts for detection, notably the very-low-frequency band (pulsar timing array [PTA], 300 pHz – 100 nHz) and the extremely-low (Hubble)-frequency (cosmic microwave background [CMB] experiment, 1 aHz – 10 fHz).     

Gravitational waves from dark first order phase transitions and dark photons

Cold Dark Matter particles may interact with ordinary particles through a dark photon, which acquires a mass thanks to a spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism. We discuss a dark photon model in which the scalar singlet associated to the spontaneous symmetry breaking has an effective potential that induces a first order phase transition in the early Universe. Such a scenario provides a rich phenomenology for electron-positron colliders and gravitational waves interferometers, and may be tested in several different channels. The hidden first order phase transition implies the emission of gravitational waves signals, which may constrain the dark photon's space of parameters. Compared limits from electron-positron colliders, astrophysics, cosmology and future gravitational waves interferometers such as eLISA, U-DECIGO and BBO are discussed. This highly motivates a cross-checking strategy of data arising from experiments dedicated to gravitational waves, meson factories, the International Linear Collider(ILC), the Circular Electron Positron Collider(CEPC) and other underground direct detection experiments of cold dark matter candidates.     

Two simple models for gravitational-wave modes of compact stars

Two simple model problems relevant for the gravitational-wave modes of relativistic stars are discussed. It is shown that the entire mode-spectrum can be obtained if one considers the modes as arising because of the trapping of gravitational waves by the spacetime curvature. The stellar fluid need play no dynamic role. Furthermore, it is shown that two distinct families of gravitational-wave modes exist. The first corresponds to waves trapped inside the star, while the second is similar to acoustic waves scattered off a hard sphere. An infinite number of the first kind of modes exist, but the latter family will only have a few members.