Optimal strategies for gravitational wave stochastic background searches in pulsar timing data

Document #:

LIGO-P080092-x0

Document type:

P - Publications

Abstract:

A low frequency stochastic background of gravitational waves may be detected by pulsar timing experiments in the next 5 to 10 yr. Using methods developed to analyze interferometric gravitational wave data, in this paper we lay out the optimal techniques to detect a background of gravitational waves using a pulsar timing array. We show that for pulsar distances and gravitational wave frequencies typical of pulsar timing experiments, neglecting the effect of the metric perturbation at the pulsar does not result in a significant deviation from optimality. We discuss methods for setting upper limits using the optimal statistic, show how to construct skymaps using the pulsar timing array, and consider several issues associated with realistic analysis of pulsar timing data.

Files in Document:

• P080092-00.pdf (685.5 kB)

Topics:

• Document Migration from the old DCC
• Public relations

Authors:

• Larry Price
• Stefan Ballmer
• Xavier Siemens
• Jolien Creighton
• Melissa Anholm

Notes and Changes:

Rev P080092-00-R:
- Full document number: LIGO-P080092-00-R
- Author(s): Melissa Anholm; Stefan Ballmer; Jolien Creighton; Larry R. Price; X. Siemens
- Document date: 2008-09-03
- Document received date: 2008-09-09
- Document entry date: 2008-09-09

Journal References:

Published in Phys Rev D vol. 79 pg. 084030 (19pp).