Enhanced gravitational wave detection accelerates neutron star and black hole research

A recent collaboration led by the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering and an international team has developed new technology to improve gravitational wave detection. This advancement allows for sending alerts to astronomers and astrophysicists within 30 seconds of detection, significantly enhancing the study of neutron stars and black holes.

The researchers aim to deepen the understanding of how these celestial phenomena contribute to the formation of heavy elements like gold and uranium. Their findings were highlighted in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

Gravitational waves, which interact with spacetime by compressing and stretching it, are detected by L-shaped laser interferometers that measure the interference patterns produced by two light sources. The precision required is equivalent to measuring the distance to the nearest star, approximately four light years away, to the width of a human hair.

The recent simulation campaign incorporated previous observational data with simulated gravitational wave signals to test software and equipment enhancements. The software is designed to identify signal shapes, monitor signal behavior, and estimate the masses involved in events such as neutron star or black hole collisions.

"With this software, we can detect the gravitational wave from neutron star collisions that is normally too faint to see unless we know exactly where to look," said Andrew Toivonen, a Ph.D. student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities School of Physics and Astronomy. "Detecting the gravitational waves first will help locate the collision and help astronomers and astrophysicists to complete further research."

These rapid advancements are part of the fourth observing run of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), set to continue through February 2025. With each observing period, improvements are made to enhance signal detection and alert speed. The collaboration involves over 1,200 scientists and about 100 institutions worldwide, coordinated through the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.

Research Report:Low-latency gravitational wave alert products and their performance at the time of the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run

Related Links

University of Minnesota

The Physics of Time and Space

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