Gravitational Wave Data Analysis For LIGO

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This project will carry out LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) researchactivities related to the analysis of data from the NSF-funded LaserInterferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). This includesthe development and testing of algorithms and data analysis techniquesto search for gravitational waves from known astrophysicalsources. Since these will produce extremely weak signals, the dataanalysis problem is to find these signals in a noisy data stream,where the statistical properties of the noise are not straightforwardto characterize. The UWM group is developing and testing dataanalysis strategies and algorithms which are not adversely affected byinstrumental anomalies. This work includes the writing of bothprototype and production codes, which are then tested and comparedwith other techniques. The best methods are then migrated into theLIGO Data Analysis System where they can be run on very large datasets.This work is crucial to the success of LIGO, which is an NSF-fundedproject to detect gravitational waves of astrophysical origin. Suchwaves are emitted by astrophysical sources such as coalescing pairs ofbinary neutron stars, supernovae, and pulsars, but are very weak andhave never been directly observed. This is why new and specializedtypes of data analysis methods are needed. Direct observation wouldconfirm a fundamental prediction of physics -- the existence ofgravitational waves -- and provide a unique tool for observing exoticastrophysical phenomena. The two LIGO observatories are located inHanford, WA and Livingston, LA, and have been under construction since1995; they will be completed and operating sometime during 2001.