Identifier
etd-03272008-092832
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
The gravitational wave detectors at the LIGO Observatories have achieved record sensitivity to gravitational-waves produced by astrophysical systems. The LIGO Scientific Collaboration has analyzed data taken in several science runs, searching for different signals. We describe a search for black holes with less than a solar mass in the LIGO data taken from February 22 to March 24, 2005. No gravitational waves were found, and an upper limit was set on the rate of mergers of such binary systems. This search, as well as other searches for binary systems, are affected by non-stationary noise. We describe the sophisticated pipeline that attempted to reduce the false trigger rate while maximizing the sensitivity to simulated signals. Details regarding this search and interpretation of this search are presented along with new strategies to increase the confidence in detection through signal based vetoes and better template waveforms.
Date
2008
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Hanna, Chad, "Searching for gravitational waves from binary systems in non-stationary data" (2008). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 2916.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/2916
Committee Chair
Gabriela Gonzalez
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.2916