Estimating the parameters of gravitational waves from neutron stars using an adaptive MCMC method

Umstatter, R., Meyer, R., Dupuis, R.J., Veitch, J. , Woan, G. and Christensen, N. (2004) Estimating the parameters of gravitational waves from neutron stars using an adaptive MCMC method. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 21(20), S1655-S1665. (doi: 10.1088/0264-9381/21/20/008)

Abstract

We present a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo technique for estimating the astrophysical parameters of gravitational radiation signals from a neutron star in laser interferometer data. This computational algorithm can estimate up to six unknown parameters of the target, including the rotation frequency and frequency derivative, using reparametrization, delayed rejection and simulated annealing. We highlight how a simple extension of the method, distributed over multiple computer processors, will allow for a search over a narrow frequency band. The ultimate goal of this research is to search for sources at known locations, but uncertain spin parameters; an example would be SN1987A.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Veitch, Dr John and Woan, Professor Graham
• Authors: Umstatter, R., Meyer, R., Dupuis, R.J., Veitch, J., Woan, G., and Christensen, N.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Research Centre: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
• Journal Name: Classical and Quantum Gravity
• ISSN: 0264-9381
• ISSN (Online): 1361-6382