Detection in coincidence of gravitational wave bursts with a network of interferometric detectors (I): Geometric acceptance and timing

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how a network of interferometric detectors can detect gravitational wave bursts by examining geometric acceptance and timing accuracy, crucial for source localization amidst low signal-to-noise ratios.

Contribution

It provides a statistical analysis of detector coincidence likelihood and estimates timing precision, aiding in gravitational wave burst detection and source localization.

Findings

Coincidence likelihood depends on detector geometry and source direction.

Timing precision is critical for accurate source localization.

Network configuration impacts detection efficiency.

Abstract

Detecting gravitational wave bursts (characterised by short durations and poorly modelled waveforms) requires to have coincidences between several interferometric detectors in order to reject non-stationary noise events. As the wave amplitude seen in a detector depends on its location with respect to the source direction and as the signal to noise ratio of these bursts are expected to be low, coincidences between antennas may not be so likely. This paper investigates this question from a statistical point of view by using a simple model of a network of detectors; it also estimates the timing precision of a detection in an interferometer which is an important issue for the reconstruction of the source location, based on time delays.