Limiting and Detecting Gravitational Waves with a Pulsar Timing Array

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. B. Yardley ◽  
W. A. Coles ◽  
G. B. Hobbs ◽  
R. N. Manchester ◽  
Marta Burgay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Pulsar Timing Array

scholarly journals Identifying and mitigating noise sources in precision pulsar timing data sets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Goncharov ◽  
D J Reardon ◽  
R M Shannon ◽  
Xing-Jiang Zhu ◽  
Eric Thrane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Dispersion Measure ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Pulse Profile ◽  
Noise Sources ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Noise Models ◽  
Pulsar Timing Array

Abstract Pulsar timing array projects measure the pulse arrival times of millisecond pulsars for the primary purpose of detecting nanohertz-frequency gravitational waves. The measurements include contributions from a number of astrophysical and instrumental processes, which can either be deterministic or stochastic. It is necessary to develop robust statistical and physical models for these noise processes because incorrect models diminish sensitivity and may cause a spurious gravitational wave detection. Here we characterise noise processes for the 26 pulsars in the second data release of the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array using Bayesian inference. In addition to well-studied noise sources found previously in pulsar timing array data sets such as achromatic timing noise and dispersion measure variations, we identify new noise sources including time-correlated chromatic noise that we attribute to variations in pulse scattering. We also identify “exponential dip” events in four pulsars, which we attribute to magnetospheric effects as evidenced by pulse profile shape changes observed for three of the pulsars. This includes an event in PSR J1713+0747, which had previously been attributed to interstellar propagation. We present noise models to be used in searches for gravitational waves. We outline a robust methodology to evaluate the performance of noise models and identify unknown signals in the data. The detection of variations in pulse profiles highlights the need to develop efficient profile domain timing methods.

scholarly journals The International Pulsar Timing Array: second data release

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (4) ◽  
pp. 4666-4687 ◽  
Author(s):  
B B P Perera ◽  
M E DeCesar ◽  
P B Demorest ◽  
M Kerr ◽  
L Lentati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
High Precision ◽  
Noise Analysis ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
The North ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Data Release ◽  
Timing Data ◽  
Noise Models ◽  
Pulsar Timing Array

ABSTRACT In this paper, we describe the International Pulsar Timing Array second data release, which includes recent pulsar timing data obtained by three regional consortia: the European Pulsar Timing Array, the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves, and the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array. We analyse and where possible combine high-precision timing data for 65 millisecond pulsars which are regularly observed by these groups. A basic noise analysis, including the processes which are both correlated and uncorrelated in time, provides noise models and timing ephemerides for the pulsars. We find that the timing precisions of pulsars are generally improved compared to the previous data release, mainly due to the addition of new data in the combination. The main purpose of this work is to create the most up-to-date IPTA data release. These data are publicly available for searches for low-frequency gravitational waves and other pulsar science.

scholarly journals PULSAR TIMING ARRAYS

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (01) ◽  
pp. 1341008 ◽  
Author(s):  
BHAL CHANDRA JOSHI
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Radio Pulsars ◽  
Very Low Frequency ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Gravitational Wave Background ◽  
Pulsar Timing Array ◽  
Current Operating

In the last decade, the use of an ensemble of radio pulsars to constrain the characteristic strain caused by a stochastic gravitational wave background has advanced the cause of detection of very low frequency gravitational waves (GWs) significantly. This electromagnetic means of GW detection, called Pulsar Timing Array (PTA), is reviewed in this paper. The principle of operation of PTA, the current operating PTAs and their status are presented along with a discussion of the main challenges in the detection of GWs using PTA.

scholarly journals Principles of Gravitational-Wave Detection with Pulsar Timing Arrays

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2418
Author(s):  
Michele Maiorano ◽  
Francesco De Paolis ◽  
Achille A. Nucita
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Black Hole Binaries ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Time Correlations ◽  
Array Detection ◽  
Square Kilometer Array ◽  
Gravitational Wave Background ◽  
Pulsar Timing Array

Pulsar timing uses the highly stable pulsar spin period to investigate many astrophysical topics. In particular, pulsar timing arrays make use of a set of extremely well-timed pulsars and their time correlations as a challenging detector of gravitational waves. It turns out that pulsar timing arrays are particularly sensitive to ultra-low-frequency gravitational waves, which makes them complementary to other gravitational-wave detectors. Here, we summarize the basics, focusing especially on supermassive black-hole binaries and cosmic strings, which have the potential to form a stochastic gravitational-wave background in the pulsar timing array detection band, and the scientific goals on this challenging topic. We also briefly outline the recent interesting results of the main pulsar timing array collaborations, which have found strong evidence of a common-spectrum process compatible with a stochastic gravitational-wave background and mention some new perspectives that are particularly interesting in view of the forthcoming radio observatories such as the Five hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope, the MeerKAT telescope, and the Square Kilometer Array.

scholarly journals Pulsar timing array constraints on the induced gravitational waves

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (10) ◽  
pp. 059-059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong-Gen Cai ◽  
Shi Pi ◽  
Shao-Jiang Wang ◽  
Xing-Yu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Pulsar Timing Array

scholarly journals The Future of Pulsar Timing Arrays

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29B) ◽  
pp. 344-350
Author(s):  
B. W. Stappers
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Waves ◽  
Millisecond Pulsar ◽  
Medium Effects ◽  
Pulse Profile ◽  
Project Approach ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Timing Sensitivity ◽  
Pulsar Timing Array ◽  
Made In

AbstractSignificant advances have been made in the sensitivity of pulsar timing arrays for the detection of gravitational waves in the last decade. This presentation looked forward to consider where the development of pulsar timing arrays might go as we head towards the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and then beyond. I reviewed where progress needs to be made in terms of sensitivity to gravitational waves, including improvements to existing observing approaches and new telescopes such as MeerKAT and FAST and techniques like LEAP. The dramatic increase in the number of millisecond pulsars is presented and how that might affect progress towards a first detection is discussed. Developments in analytic techniques were also discussed, including the removal of interstellar medium effects, red noise and pulse profile variations. A summary of how the SKA can contribute through an increased millisecond pulsar population and pulsar timing sensitivity was presented. With the likelihood that the SKA will implement some form of Key Science Project approach, some ideas of how will this affect how the International Pulsar Timing Array effort and how it might evolve into a KSP were discussed.

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