Gravitational wave detection using pulsars: status of the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array project

TL;DR

This paper reviews the status of the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array project, which aims to detect ultra-low frequency gravitational waves from cosmic sources using pulsar timing, and compares it with other detection methods.

Contribution

It provides an update on the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array project and analyzes its potential in gravitational wave detection relative to other techniques.

Findings

Parkes PTA is the only such project in the Southern hemisphere.

Pulsar timing array can detect ultra-low frequency gravitational waves.

Comparison shows different sensitivities and target sources for various detection methods.

Abstract

The first direct detection of gravitational waves may be made through observations of pulsars. The principal aim of pulsar timing array projects being carried out worldwide is to detect ultra-low frequency gravitational waves (f ~ 10^-9 to 10^-8 Hz). Such waves are expected to be caused by coalescing supermassive binary black holes in the cores of merged galaxies. It is also possible that a detectable signal could have been produced in the inflationary era or by cosmic strings. In this paper we review the current status of the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array project (the only such project in the Southern hemisphere) and compare the pulsar timing technique with other forms of gravitational-wave detection such as ground- and space-based interferometer systems.