Population synthesis and parameter estimation of neutron stars with continuous gravitational waves and third-generation detectors

Hua, Y., Wette, K., Scott, S. M. and Pitkin, M. D. (2023) Population synthesis and parameter estimation of neutron stars with continuous gravitational waves and third-generation detectors. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 527(4), pp. 10564-10574. (doi: 10.1093/mnras/stad3811)

Abstract

Precise measurement of stellar properties through the observation of continuous gravitational waves from spinning non-axisymmetric neutron stars can shed light onto new physics beyond terrestrial laboratories. Although hitherto undetected, prospects for detecting continuous gravitational waves improve with longer observation periods and more sensitive gravitational wave detectors. We study the capability of the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, and the Einstein Telescope to measure the physical properties of neutron stars through continuous gravitational wave observations. We simulate a population of Galactic neutron stars, assume continuous gravitational waves from the stars have been detected, and perform parameter estimation of the detected signals. Using the estimated parameters, we infer the stars’ moments of inertia, ellipticities, and the components of the magnetic dipole moment perpendicular to the rotation axis. The estimation of the braking index proved challenging and is responsible for the majority of the uncertainties in the inferred parameters. Using the Einstein Telescope with an observation period of $5\, {\rm {yr}}$, point estimates using median can be made on the moments of inertia with error of $\sim 10\!-\!100~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ and on the ellipticities with error of $\sim 5\!-\!50~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, subject to the inference of the braking index. The perpendicular magnetic dipole moment could not be accurately inferred for neutron stars that emit mainly gravitational waves.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: YH, KW, and SMS are supported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) through project number CE170100004. During part of this work MDP wassupported through the UK Science & Technology Facilities Council grant ST/V005707/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Pitkin, Dr Matthew
• Authors: Hua, Y., Wette, K., Scott, S. M., and Pitkin, M. D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Publisher: Oxford University Press for the Royal Astronomical Society
• ISSN: 1365-2966
• ISSN (Online): 1365-2966
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 527(4):10564–10574
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence