MaxWave: Rapid maximum likelihood wavelet reconstruction of non-Gaussian features in gravitational wave data

TL;DR

MaxWave introduces a rapid, approximate maximum likelihood wavelet reconstruction method that enhances gravitational wave data analysis by improving efficiency and enabling detailed non-Gaussian feature reconstruction.

Contribution

It presents three key innovations in wavelet transforms and algorithms to accelerate and improve non-Gaussian feature reconstruction in gravitational wave data.

Findings

Reduces computational complexity of wavelet-based reconstructions

Enables denoising of long-duration gravitational wave signals

Supports improved glitch classification and understanding

Abstract

Advancements in the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors have increased the detection rate of transient astrophysical signals. We improve the existing BayesWave initialization algorithm and present a rapid, low latency approximate maximum likelihood solution for reconstructing non-Gaussian features. We include three enhancements: (1) using a modified wavelet basis to eliminate redundant inner product calculations; (2) shifting from traditional time-frequency-quality factor wavelet transforms to time-frequency-time extent transforms to optimize wavelet subtractions; and (3) implementing a downsampled heterodyned wavelet transform to accelerate initial calculations. Our model can be used to denoise long-duration signals, which include the stochastic gravitational wave background from numerous unresolved sources and continuous wave signals from isolated sources such as rotating neutron stars. Through our model, we can also supplement machine learning applications that use spectrographic training data to classify and understand glitches by providing nonwhitened, time and frequency domain reconstructions of any glitch.