4996128
Identification of noise artifacts in searches for long-duration gravitational-wave transients
We present an algorithm for the identification of transient noise artifacts (glitches) in cross-correlation searches for long gravitational-wave (GW) transients lasting seconds to weeks. The algorithm utilizes the auto-power in each detector as a discriminator between well-behaved stationary noise (possibly including a GW signal) and non-stationary noise transients. We test thealgorithmwithbothMonteCarlonoiseandtime-shifteddatafromtheLIGO S5 science run and find that it removes a significant fraction of glitches while keeping the vast majority (99.6%) of the data. We show that this cleaned data can be used to observe GW signals at a significantly lower amplitude than can otherwise be achieved. Using an accretion disk instability signal model, we estimate that the algorithm is accidentally triggered at a rate of less than 10 −5 % by realistic signals, and less than 3% even for exceptionally loud signals. We conclude that the algorithm is a safe and effective method for cleaning the cross-correlation data used in searches for long GW transients.
122598875
RESULTS FROM LIGO OBSERVATIONS: STOCHASTIC BACKGROUND AND CONTINUOUS WAVE SIGNALS
The search for gravitational radiation has entered a new era as the Laser Interferom-eter Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) has reached its initial target sensitivity. Other similar interferometric detectors are also approaching their design goals. There is presently vigorous activity in the gravitational radiation community in the search for signals. Here we review the status of the LIGO search for a stochastic background, and continuous wave signals.
15022161
A first comparison of search methods for gravitational wave bursts using LIGO and Virgo simulated data
We present a comparative study of six search methods for gravitational wave bursts using simulated LIGO and Virgo noise data. The simulated data were generated according to the design sensitivity of the two 4 km LIGO interferometers and the 3 km Virgo interferometer. The searches were applied on replicas of the data sets to which eight different signals were injected. Three figures of merit were employed in this analysis: (a) receiver operator characteristic curves, (b) necessary signal-to-noise ratios for the searches to achieve 50% and 90% efficiencies and (c) variance and bias for the estimation of the arrival time of a gravitational wave burst.
2702261
LISA source confusion: identification and characterization of signals
The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is expected to detect gravitational radiation from a large number of compact binary systems. We present a method by which these signals can be identified and have their parameters estimated. Our approach uses Bayesian inference, specifically the application of a Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The simulation study that we present here considers a large number of sinusoidal signals in noise, and our method estimates the number of periodic signals present in the data, the parameters for these signals and the noise level. The method is significantly better than classical spectral techniques at performing these tasks and does not use stopping criteria for estimating the number of signals present.
13085972
Using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods for estimating parameters with gravitational radiation data
We present a Bayesian approach to the problem of determining parameters for coalescing binary systems observed with laser interferometric detectors. By applying a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, specifically the Gibbs sampler, we demonstrate the potential that MCMC techniques may hold for the computation of posterior distributions of parameters of the binary system that created the gravity radiation signal. We describe the use of the Gibbs sampler method, and present examples whereby signals are detected and analyzed from within noisy data.
43905547
Veto studies for LIGO inspiral triggers
LIGO recently conducted its third scientific data run, S3. Here, we summarize the veto and data quality studies conducted by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration in connection with the search for binary inspiral signals in the S3 data. The veto results presented here come from studies on the S3 playground data. LIGO's interferometer channels and physical environmental monitors were monitored, and events in these channels coincident with inspiral triggers were examined.
15385740
A comprehensive approach to new physics simulations
We describe a framework to develop, implement and validate any perturbative Lagrangian-based particle physics model for further theoretical, phenomenological and experimental studies. The starting point is FeynRules, a Mathematica package that allows to generate Feynman rules for any Lagrangian and then, through dedicated interfaces, automatically pass the corresponding relevant information to any supported Monte Carlo event generator. We prove the power, robustness and flexibility of this approach by presenting a few examples of new physics models (the Hidden Abelian Higgs Model, the general Two-Higgs-Doublet Model, the most general Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, the Minimal Higgsless Model, Universal and Large Extra Dimensions, and QCD-inspired effective Lagrangians) and their implementation/validation in FeynArts/FormCalc, CalcHep, MadGraph/MadEvent, and Sherpa.
53470475
Implications of dynamical generation of standard-model fermion masses
We point out that if quark and lepton masses arise dynamically, then in a wide class of theories the corresponding running masses m{sub f{sub j}}(p) exhibit the power-law decay m{sub f{sub j}}(p){proportional_to}{lambda}{sub j}{sup 2}/p{sup 2} for Euclidean momenta p>>{lambda}{sub j}, where f{sub j} is a fermion of generation j, and {lambda}{sub j} is the maximal scale relevant for the origin of m{sub f{sub j}}. We estimate resultant changes in precision electroweak quantities and compare with current data. It is found that these data allow the presence of such corrections. We also note that this power-law decay renders primitively divergent fermion mass corrections finite.
118442865
Determining the dark matter particle mass through antler topology processes at lepton colliders
We study the kinematic cusps and endpoints of processes with the ``antler topology'' as a way to measure the masses of the parity-odd missing particle and the intermediate parent at a high energy lepton collider. The fixed center-of-mass energy at a lepton collider makes many new physics processes suitable for the study of the antler decay topology. It also provides new kinematic observables with cusp structures, optimal for the missing mass determination. We also study realistic effects on these observables, including initial state radiation, beamstrahlung, acceptance cuts, and detector resolution. We find that the new observables, such as the reconstructed invariant mass of invisible particles and the summed energy of the observable final state particles, appear to be more stable than the commonly considered energy endpoints against realistic factors and are very efficient at measuring the missing particle mass. For the sake of illustration, we study smuon pair production and chargino pair production within the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. We adopt the log-likelihood method to optimize the analysis. We find that at the 500 GeV international linear collider (ILC), a precision of approximately 0.5 GeV can be achieved in the case of smuon production with a leptonic final state, and approximately 2 GeV in the case of chargino production with a hadronic final state.
117409062
Exploring compactified HEIDI models at the LHC
Models with multi-scalar Higgs sectors inspired by a higher-dimensional setup are interesting alternatives to the Standard Model because, although they have a Higgs sector which gives mass to the W and Z gauge bosons as well as the SM fermions, this Higgs sector is potentially undiscoverable at the Large Hadron Collider or shows considerable deviations from the Standard Model Higgs sector. We investigate a compactified version of such models and study its phenomenology in the "golden" four-lepton channel at the LHC in areas of parameter space compatible with electroweak precision observables.
118658638
Top triangle moose: Combining Higgsless and topcolor mechanisms for mass generation
We present the details of a deconstructed model that incorporates both Higgsless and top-color mechanisms. The model alleviates the tension between obtaining the correct top quark mass and keeping {delta}{rho} small that exists in many Higgsless models. It does so by singling out the top quark mass generation as arising from a Yukawa coupling to an effective top Higgs which develops a small vacuum expectation value, while electroweak symmetry breaking results largely from a Higgsless mechanism. As a result, the heavy partners of the SM fermions can be light enough to be seen at the LHC. After presenting the model, we detail the phenomenology, showing that for a broad range of masses, these heavy fermions are discoverable at the LHC.