11311944
Precise calibration of LIGO test mass actuators using photon radiation pressure
Precise calibration of kilometer-scale interferometric gravitational wave detectors is crucial for source localization and waveform reconstruction. A technique that uses the radiation pressure of a power-modulated auxiliary laser to induce calibrated displacements of one of the ~10 kg arm cavity mirrors, a so-called photon calibrator, has been demonstrated previously and has recently been implemented on the LIGO detectors. In this paper, we discuss the inherent precision and accuracy of the LIGO photon calibrators and several improvements that have been developed to reduce the estimated voice coil actuator calibration uncertainties to less than 2% (1σ). These improvements include accounting for rotation-induced apparent length variations caused by interferometer and photon calibrator beam centering offsets, absolute laser power measurement using temperature-controlled InGaAs photodetectors mounted on integrating spheres and calibrated by NIST, minimizing errors induced by localized elastic deformation of the mirror surface by using a two-beam configuration with the photon calibrator beams symmetrically displaced about the center of the optic and simultaneously actuating the test mass with voice coil actuators and the photon calibrator to minimize fluctuations caused by the changing interferometer response. The photon calibrator is able to operate in the most sensitive interferometer configuration, and is expected to become a primary calibration method for future gravitational wave searches.
118446989
Stacking gravitational wave signals from soft gamma repeater bursts
Soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) have unique properties that make them intriguing targets for gravitational wave (GW) searches. They are nearby, their burst emission mechanism may involve neutron star crust fractures and excitation of quasinormal modes, and they burst repeatedly and sometimes spectacularly. A recent LIGO search for transient GW from these sources placed upper limits on a set of almost 200 individual SGR bursts. These limits were within the theoretically predicted range of some models. We present a new search strategy which builds upon the method used there by “stacking” potential GW signals from multiple SGR bursts. We assume that variation in the time difference between burst electromagnetic emission and burst GW emission is small relative to the GW signal duration, and we time-align GW excess power time-frequency tilings containing individual burst triggers to their corresponding electromagnetic emissions. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we confirm that gains in GW energy sensitivity of N^(1/2) are possible, where N is the number of stacked SGR bursts. Estimated sensitivities for a mock search for gravitational waves from the 2006 March 29 storm from SGR 1900+14 are also presented, for two GW emission models, “fluence-weighted” and “flat” (unweighted).
117574348
Excluding Source Models with Multiple Astrophysical Observations
We describe a general method to observationally exclude a theoretical model for gravitational wave (GW) emission from a transient astrophysical source (event) by using a null detection from a network of GW detectors. In the case of multiple astrophysical events with no GW detection, statements about individual events can be combined to increase the exclusion confidence. We frame and demonstrate the method using a population of hypothetical core collapse supernovae.
14925786
Benefits of artificially generated gravity gradients for interferometric gravitational-wave detectors
We present an approach to experimentally evaluate gravity gradient noise, a potentially limiting noise source in advanced interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. In addition, the method can be used to provide sub-percent calibration in phase and amplitude. Knowledge of calibration to such certainties shall enhance the scientific output of the instruments in the case of an eventual detection of gravitational waves. The method relies on a rotating symmetrical two-body mass, a dynamic gravity field generator (DFG). The placement of the DFG in the proximity of one of the interferometer's suspended test masses generates a change in the local gravitational field detectable with current interferometric gravitational-wave detectors.
26319866
Accurate calibration of test mass displacement in the LIGO interferometers
We describe three fundamentally different methods we have applied to calibrate the test mass displacement actuators to search for systematic errors in the calibration of the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors. The actuation frequencies tested range from 90 Hz to 1 kHz and the actuation amplitudes range from 10−6 m to 10−18 m. For each of the four test mass actuators measured, the weighted mean coefficient over all frequencies for each technique deviates from the average actuation coefficient for all three techniques by less than 4%. This result indicates that systematic errors in the calibration of the responses of the LIGO detectors to differential length variations are within the stated uncertainties.
14181827
Search method for unmodeled transient gravitational waves associated with SGR flares
We describe a method for searching for transient gravitational waves associated with soft gamma-ray repeater (SGR) flares or other burst-like events using data collected by interferometric gravitational wave detectors. The method can be used to analyze data from either a single detector or from two detectors coherently. The excess power-type algorithm creates event sets from conditioned detector data which may be compared to signal simulations of known strength based on plausible waveform classes. Estimated search sensitivities obtained by performing two-detector searches on the simulated data are presented. In the case of 22 ms duration white noise bursts in the 100–200 Hz band injected into simulated noise, we find a characteristic strain sensitivity h90%rss = 3.0 × 10−22 .
123331390
Experimental techniques in particle physics
Abstract The great majority of experiments in particle physics use beams of particles from accelerators. Individual interactions of these with other particles are observed by detector systems. Fixed target and colliding beam experiments are contrasted, and non-accelerator experiments mentioned briefly. An account is given of the principles of the various detectors. These include scintillation and Cerenkov counters and the various tracking devices such as bubble chambers, proportional and drift chambers. Calorimeters have emerged recently as important detectors at the highest energies. Electronic logic modules are mentioned and the main steps in data acquisition and analysis are described. Finally an example is given of a large detector system.
123687310
Antiproton--proton annihilation into charged pion and kaon pairs
Events of the type anti pp $Yields$ K$sup -$K$sup +$, $pi$$sup - $$pi$$sup +$ were studied at 0.79 to 2.43 GeV/c. Differential cross sections and Legendre coefficient ratios are shown. Resonances found as a result of model fitting showing spin--parity assignment versus mass squared are also shown. (JFP)
124176528
Wide-angle proton-proton elastic scattering from 1.3 to 3.0 GeV/c
SummaryDifferential cross-sections for proton-proton elastic scattering have been measured covering the angular range from 50° to 90° c.m. at twelve incident momenta from 1.3 to 3.0 GeV/c. The angular distributions are quite smooth, but there is evidence of structure in the energy dependence of fixed-angle cross-sections at |t| ∼ 1 (GeV)2.RiassuntoSi sono misurate le sezioni d’urto differenziali per lo scattering elastico protone-protone coprendo l’intervallo angolare da 50° a 90° c.m. a dodici impulsi incidenti da 1.3 a 3.0 GeV/c. Le distribuzioni angolari sono abbastanza lineari, ma si hanno prove di una struttura nella dipendenza dell’energia dalle sezioni d’urto ad angolo fisso per |t| ∼ 1 (GeV)2.РеэюмеБыли иэмерены дифференциальные поперечные сечения протон-протонного упругого рассеяния в области углов от 50° до 90° в системе центра масс при двенадцати эначениях начальных импульсов от 1.3 до З.ОГзВ/с. Угловые распределения являются довольно плавными, но обнаружена структура в знергетической эависимости поперечных сечений при фиксированном угле при |t| ∼ 1 (ГзВ)2.
121546122
Central Hadron Calorimeter of UA1
Abstract An iron—scintillator sampling calorimeter is described, which measures hadronic energy in proton-antiproton interactions at the CERN 540 GeV SPS collider. Construction details are given of the instrumentation of the magnet pieces of the UA1 experiment and of the methods used to measure the calorimeter response and resolution. The system of lasers and quartz fibres, which allows long term monitoring of the calorimeter response, is also described.
123678522
Options for machines and experiments in the future
The highest energy particle accelerators in operation and under construction are described briefly, together with a selection of detectors. Extrapolations of existing techniques both for accelerators and for detectors appear to be adequate for the next upward step in energy, but beyond this new techniques will probably have to be developed. Some predictions are given.