Gravitational Wave Data Analysis For LIGO

University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee WI

Investigators

Abstract

This project will carry out LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) research activities related to the analysis of data from the NSF-funded Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). This includes the development and testing of algorithms and data analysis techniques to search for gravitational waves from known astrophysical sources. Since these will produce extremely weak signals, the data analysis problem is to find these signals in a noisy data stream, where the statistical properties of the noise are not straightforward to characterize. The UWM group is developing and testing data analysis strategies and algorithms which are not adversely affected by instrumental anomalies. This work includes the writing of both prototype and production codes, which are then tested and compared with other techniques. The best methods are then migrated into the LIGO Data Analysis System where they can be run on very large data sets. This work is crucial to the success of LIGO, which is an NSF-funded project to detect gravitational waves of astrophysical origin. Such waves are emitted by astrophysical sources such as coalescing pairs of binary neutron stars, supernovae, and pulsars, but are very weak and have never been directly observed. This is why new and specialized types of data analysis methods are needed. Direct observation would confirm a fundamental prediction of physics -- the existence of gravitational waves -- and provide a unique tool for observing exotic astrophysical phenomena. The two LIGO observatories are located in Hanford, WA and Livingston, LA, and have been under construction since 1995; they will be completed and operating sometime during 2001.