Gravitational Wave Data Analysis and Phenomenology

University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee WI

Investigators

Abstract

This grant supports the development of gravitational wave source modeling and signal processing techniques, and the implementation of a data analysis system designed to detect gravitational radiation using the Laser Interferometric Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). The award also supports the analysis of LIGO data using both the LIGO Data Analysis System (LDAS) and the Grid Physics Network (GriPhyN) in an effort to detect the four principal categories of sources: gravitational-wave stochastic background, unmodeled burst sources, inspiral signals from binary neutron stars and black holes, and slowly modulated sinusoidal signals expected from rapidly rotating neutron stars. LIGO is an ambitious project to detect gravitational waves from astrophysical sources, which were predicted by Einstein almost a century ago but have not yet been directly observed. This work will make a significant contribution to the overall success of the LIGO project, and may ultimately lead to the first detection of gravitational waves. This award also supports research into the nature of highly energetic astrophysical sources of gravitational radiation which will provide valuable insight into the nature of Einstein's theory of gravity and will open a new field of astronomical observation.