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arXiv · 1310.5300

Sensitivity curves for searches for gravitational-wave backgrounds

Eric Thrane·Joseph D Romano
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Abstract

We propose a graphical representation of detector sensitivity curves for stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds that takes into account the increase in sensitivity that comes from integrating over frequency in addition to integrating over time. This method is valid for backgrounds that have a power-law spectrum in the analysis band. We call these graphs "power-law integrated curves." For simplicity, we consider cross-correlation searches for unpolarized and isotropic stochastic backgrounds using two or more detectors. We apply our method to construct power-law integrated sensitivity curves for second-generation ground-based detectors such as Advanced LIGO, space-based detectors such as LISA and the Big Bang Observer, and timing residuals from a pulsar timing array. The code used to produce these plots is available at https://dcc.ligo.org/LIGO-P1300115/public for researchers interested in constructing similar sensitivity curves.

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Eric Thrane, Joseph D Romano. 2013-10-20. Sensitivity curves for searches for gravitational-wave backgrounds. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.88.124032

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