Astrophysics from data analysis of spherical gravitational wave detectors

TL;DR

This paper discusses the data analysis methods for spherical gravitational wave detectors, demonstrating that even with fewer operational transducers, source direction and wave amplitudes can be accurately determined, aiding astrophysical research.

Contribution

It introduces a data analysis approach for spherical detectors that remains effective even with incomplete transducer data, enhancing detection robustness.

Findings

Source direction can be determined with fewer than six transducers.

Simulated data confirms the effectiveness of the analysis method.

Operational flexibility improves detector reliability.

Abstract

The direct detection of gravitational waves will provide valuable astrophysical information about many celestial objects. Also, it will be an important test to general relativity and other theories of gravitation. The gravitational wave detector SCHENBERG has recently undergone its first test run. It is expected to have its first scientific run soon. In this work the data analysis system of this spherical, resonant mass detector is tested through the simulation of the detection of gravitational waves generated during the inspiralling phase of a binary system. It is shown from the simulated data that it is not necessary to have all six transducers operational in order to determine the source's direction and the wave's amplitudes.