Results of the First IPTA Closed Mock Data Challenge

TL;DR

This paper reports on the results of the first IPTA Mock Data Challenge, evaluating gravitational wave detection algorithms using simulated pulsar timing data to assess their effectiveness.

Contribution

It introduces and compares two detection algorithms for stochastic gravitational wave backgrounds within the context of the IPTA MDC.

Findings

Likelihood method shows promising detection capabilities.

Optimal statistic method provides robust upper limits.

Results inform future GW detection strategies.

Abstract

The 2012 International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) Mock Data Challenge (MDC) is designed to test current Gravitational Wave (GW) detection algorithms. Here we will briefly outline two detection algorithms for a stochastic background of gravitational waves, namely, a first-order likelihood method and an optimal statistic method and present our results from the closed MDC data sets.