Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Quantifying The Impact Of Data Quality On Searches For Gravitational Waves From Binary Coalescing Systems With Ligo, Jacob Peter Slutsky

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time itself, predicted by Einstein's General theory of relativity, which propagate at the speed of light and are not scattered or extinguished by passing through matter almost at all. In particular, the gravitational waves from the coalescences of binary systems of compact objects, such as neutron stars and black holes, are exciting prospects for observation. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory experiment intends to make the _x000C_first direct measurement of gravitational waves, and use the results to uncover new astrophysics. These observations will not be limited by extinction from dust and gas, and will probe astrophysical …