Investigations in Gravitational Radiation
Lead Research Organisation:
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Einstein's General Theory of Relativity (GR) predicts that dynamical systems in strong gravitational fields will release vast amounts of energy in the form of gravitational radiation. Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime and travel from their sources at the speed of light, carrying information about physical processes responsible for their emission, obtainable in no other way. They are among the most elusive signals from the deepest reaches in the Universe. Experiments aimed at detecting them have been in development for several decades, but only now are sensitivities reaching levels where real detection is possible within a few years. The worldwide network of interferometric detectors includes the German-UK GEO600, the French-Italian Virgo and the American Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). These detectors have all reached sensitivities close to their design goals and have taken the most sensitive data to date. Cooperation amongst different projects enables continuous data acquisition, with sensitivity to a wide range of sources and phenomena, over most of the sky. Data from GEO, LIGO and Virgo, has already begun to impact our understanding of astronomical phenomena. For example, the most recent observations with these detectors have (a) shown that less than 2% of the Crab pulsar's radiated power is in gravitational waves, (b) ruled out merging binary neutron stars as the progenitor of GRB 070201 (if it occurred in M31) and (c) set a new best upper limit on the strength of the stochastic gravitational-wave background. While the present phase of observations (circa 2010-2011) have a real chance of producing the first detections - possibly from compact binary coalescences, there can be no guarantees. However there is great confidence that the advanced detectors will routinely observe gravitational waves. The Cardiff and Glasgow groups have initiated and led searches for astronomical sources, thanks to the algorithmic and analysis effort that has been supported since the first data taking runs began eight years ago. We propose a programme of continued improvement to GEO600 and to be involved in the characterization and analysis of the resulting data from GEO and the worldwide network of interferometers. In particular we will be carrying out searches for * coalescing binary neutron stars, neutron star-black hole binaries, and black hole binaries * bursts of gravitational waves that may originate from supernovae, and * continuous signals from pulsars and other rotating neutron stars. In parallel, we are proposing research and development on the detector front. Detector sensitivity is mainly limited by thermal noise associated with the substrates of the mirrors, their reflective coatings, and their suspension elements, as well as by noise resulting from the quantum nature of the light used to provide illumination. Thus our research is targeted towards making innovative improvements in these areas. In particular we are taking leading roles in the upgrading of GEO and LIGO in the areas of silica suspensions, optics and interferometry, and for enhancements to the Advanced LIGO program and future interferometers in the areas of dielectric and waveguide mirror coatings, silicon substrates and cryogenic suspensions. In summary, the goal of the Glasgow, Cardiff and Strathclyde groups is to lead the first direct detection of gravitational waves using detectors based on their innovative developments. Once this milestone is achieved, routine observations will help us use this radiation as an observational and theoretical tool to understand * cores of supernovae and neutron stars, * gamma-ray burst engines, * the interactions of black holes and neutron stars, etc. In particular, coalescing compact binaries are self-calibrating standard candles, or sirens, which will be a new precision tool for cosmology and will enable strong field tests of general relativity
Publications
Abbott BP
(2018)
GW170817: Implications for the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Compact Binary Coalescences.
in Physical review letters
Abbott BP
(2017)
GW170817: Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Neutron Star Inspiral.
in Physical review letters
Blair C
(2017)
First Demonstration of Electrostatic Damping of Parametric Instability at Advanced LIGO.
in Physical review letters
Abadie J
(2011)
Directional limits on persistent gravitational waves using LIGO S5 science data.
in Physical review letters
Abbott BP
(2017)
Directional Limits on Persistent Gravitational Waves from Advanced LIGO's First Observing Run.
in Physical review letters
Bose S
(2018)
Neutron-Star Radius from a Population of Binary Neutron Star Mergers.
in Physical review letters
Abbott BP
(2017)
GW170817: Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Neutron Star Inspiral.
in Physical review letters
Abbott B
(2016)
Improved Analysis of GW150914 Using a Fully Spin-Precessing Waveform Model
in Physical Review X
Abbott B
(2016)
Binary Black Hole Mergers in the First Advanced LIGO Observing Run
in Physical Review X
Ando S
(2013)
Colloquium : Multimessenger astronomy with gravitational waves and high-energy neutrinos
in Reviews of Modern Physics
Abadie J
(2010)
FIRST SEARCH FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVES FROM THE YOUNGEST KNOWN NEUTRON STAR
in The Astrophysical Journal
Knispel B
(2011)
ARECIBO PALFA SURVEY AND EINSTEIN@HOME: BINARY PULSAR DISCOVERY BY VOLUNTEER COMPUTING
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abbott B
(2017)
First Search for Gravitational Waves from Known Pulsars with Advanced LIGO
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abadie J
(2011)
BEATING THE SPIN-DOWN LIMIT ON GRAVITATIONAL WAVE EMISSION FROM THE VELA PULSAR
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abbott B
(2017)
Upper Limits on Gravitational Waves from Scorpius X-1 from a Model-based Cross-correlation Search in Advanced LIGO Data
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abbott B
(2016)
THE RATE OF BINARY BLACK HOLE MERGERS INFERRED FROM ADVANCED LIGO OBSERVATIONS SURROUNDING GW150914
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abbott B
(2017)
Search for Gravitational Waves Associated with Gamma-Ray Bursts during the First Advanced LIGO Observing Run and Implications for the Origin of GRB 150906B
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abadie J
(2011)
SEARCH FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVE BURSTS FROM SIX MAGNETARS
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abbott B
(2016)
UPPER LIMITS ON THE RATES OF BINARY NEUTRON STAR AND NEUTRON STAR-BLACK HOLE MERGERS FROM ADVANCED LIGO'S FIRST OBSERVING RUN
in The Astrophysical Journal
Albert A
(2017)
Search for High-energy Neutrinos from Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817 with ANTARES, IceCube, and the Pierre Auger Observatory
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abbott B
(2017)
On the Progenitor of Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Abbott B
(2017)
Gravitational Waves and Gamma-Rays from a Binary Neutron Star Merger: GW170817 and GRB 170817A
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Abbott B
(2017)
Estimating the Contribution of Dynamical Ejecta in the Kilonova Associated with GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Abbott B
(2017)
Search for Post-merger Gravitational Waves from the Remnant of the Binary Neutron Star Merger GW170817
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Abbott B
(2016)
SUPPLEMENT: "THE RATE OF BINARY BLACK HOLE MERGERS INFERRED FROM ADVANCED LIGO OBSERVATIONS SURROUNDING GW150914" (2016, ApJL, 833, L1)
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Adams T
(2015)
Cost-benefit analysis for commissioning decisions in GEO600
Adams T
(2013)
Gravitational-Wave Detection using Multivariate Analysis
Abbott B
(2017)
Centennial of General Relativity - A Celebration
Description | Modelling gravitational wave sources and developing algorithms to detect them and estimate their parameters. |
Exploitation Route | Collaboration members will use the pipeline in the analysis of data from LIGO and Virgo. |
Sectors | Education |
Description | Royal Society University Research Fellowship |
Amount | £803,198 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 516002.K5869/R OG |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2007 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | STFC Advanced Fellowship |
Amount | £548,111 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/H008438/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2010 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | GEO600 |
Organisation | University of Glasgow |
Department | Physics and Astronomy Department |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Detector characterisation and data analysis; strategic plans, scientific motivation for improving detector sensitivity. |
Collaborator Contribution | Building the detector, maintaining the detector, detector characterisation and data analysis. |
Impact | A working gravitational wave detector, development of advanced technology for advanced and third generation detectors. |
Description | LIGO Scientific Collaboration |
Organisation | LIGO |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Search algorithms and software, data analysis and astrophysical interpretation, scientific motivation for improvement in detector sensitivity |
Collaborator Contribution | Building and maintaining the LIGO detectors |
Impact | Publications, conference plenaries, conference contributions |
Description | Black Hole Hunter |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This is an on-line game that is on display at every major/minor outreach activity undertaken by members of the 1000-strong LIGO Scientific Collaboration. It has been translated to German, French and Spain and attracts of 1000's of unique hits every year. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Can you hear black holes |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | AThis was a Royal Society Summer exhibition. An estimated 4000 people passed through our stand in 3 days. Exhibits were developed and in particular the online black hole hunger game was developed for the exhibition. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |