Persistent Gravitational Radiation: Sources and LIGO Detection

这项研究将分析那些快速旋转的中子星的演化，这些中子星可能是持续的准周期性引力辐射的来源。最初的重点将放在那些中子星上，这些中子星是通过恒星伴星的持续吸积而旋转起来的。将利用对这种双星源的x射线观测（如罗西x射线定时探测卫星所进行的观测）来确定有希望的目标。一个系统的参数化模型，描述了那些决定引力波频率和振幅的特性的演变，将被开发出来。斯坦福大学的研究小组已经被LIGO科学合作组织的天体物理源识别和签名小组确定为领导开发检测此类源的“强大算法”的工作。这种算法可以对引力辐射的时间依赖性进行参数化预测，极大地方便了LIGO和其他激光干涉仪探测器的探测。这项研究是实现这一目标的第一步。

This research will analyze the evolution of those rapidly rotating neutron stars that could be sources of persistent quasi-periodic gravitational radiation. The initial focus will be on those neutron stars that have been spun up via continued accretion from a stellar companion. X-ray observations of such binary sources (such as those carried out by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite) will be employed in order to identify promising targets. A parametrized model of the system, which describes the evolution of those properties that determine the gravitational wave frequency and amplitude, will be developed.The Stanford group has been identified by the Astrophysical Source Identification and Signatures Subgroup of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration to lead the effort to develop "robust algorithms" for detection of such sources. Such algorithms produce parametrized predictions of the time dependence of the gravitational radiation, which greatly facilitate its detection by LIGO and other laser interferometer detectors. This research is the first step toward this goal.