Detection, reconstruction and interpretation of unmodelled gravitational-wave transients

Lead Research Organisation: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

The long-anticipated birth of gravitational-wave astronomy will occur in the next few years with the advent of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave detectors. These instruments will open a new channel for studying the most extreme phenomena and environments found in nature, including gamma-ray bursts, core-collapse supernovae, and black-hole mergers. The inner engines of these systems are either obscured or inherently invisible to electromagnetic observations. Furthermore, the associated gravitational-wave emission typically depends on poorly understood physics, such as the equation-of-state of matter at supra-nuclear densities. Gravitational waves will therefore provide an exciting new probe of these astrophysical systems, for example constraining the neutron star equation-of-state, and providing laboratories for tests of fundamental physics and cosmology. However,
realising the potential of gravitational waves poses a significant challenge: state-of-the-art techniques for detecting and interpreting gravitational waves require precise theoretical models of the gravitational-wave emission, and hence are not applicable to most gravitational-wave sources. This project aims at maximising the scientific exploitation of gravitational waves through advancements beyond current state-of-the-art in rapid automated analyses, advanced signal/background discrimination, and waveform reconstruction. The goals of this project are:
(i) to develop the model independent techniques needed to robustly detect gravitational waves from relativistic transient events, and determine the signal structure;
(ii) to apply these to data from the Advanced LIGO / Advanced Virgo network to detect GWs; and
(iii) to use detected GWs as probes of relativistic systems and fundamental physics.

Publications

10 25 50
publication icon
Dálya G (2018) GLADE: A galaxy catalogue for multimessenger searches in the advanced gravitational-wave detector era in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

publication icon
Pannarale F (2019) Bayesian inference analysis of unmodelled gravitational-wave transients in Classical and Quantum Gravity

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ST/N504002/1 30/09/2015 30/03/2021
1796441 Studentship ST/N504002/1 30/09/2016 30/03/2020 Ronaldas Macas
 
Description Radio interview about GW170817 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Radio interview about GW170817 detection, gravitational-wave detectors and science in general.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/1013677567/pokalbiai-per-lrt-opus-2017-10-20-16-10
 
Description public outreach article about GW170817 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Described the detection of GW170817 and gravitational-wave detectors.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://techo.lt/gw170817-pirma-karta-aptiktas-gravitaciniu-ir-elektromagnetiniu-bangu-saltinis/