arXiv subjects

J. R. Sanders

Publications and source records attributed to J. R. Sanders.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Narrow spectral artifact investigation and mitigation in LIGO data from the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run

We present efforts to identify, characterize, and mitigate narrow spectral artifacts in LIGO detector data during the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run. Narrow spectral artifacts in gravitational-wave detectors are non-astrophysical noise sources that can degrade searches for narrowband persistent gravitational waves. Identifying and, where possible, mitigating these noise sources is one of the core efforts of the LIGO Detector Characterization group. Key software tools have been updated and new tools deployed for the fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observing run to facilitate investigations and data monitoring. We discuss these tool upgrades, and present several identified narrowband artifacts that have been successfully investigated and mitigated in LIGO data. Regardless of whether artifacts are mitigated or not, narrowband persistent gravitational-wave searches require information on which frequency bands contain non-astrophysical artifacts. Minimizing the number of bands containing non-astrophysical artifacts is essential to maximize the potential for discovery of a new class of gravitational-wave signals.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

Prospects for Multimessenger Observations of Thorne-Żytkow Objects

Thorne-Żytkow objects (TŻOs) are a class of stellar object comprised of a neutron star core surrounded by a large and diffuse envelope. Their exterior appearance is identical to red supergiants; the distinctive electromagnetic signature of a TŻO is a suite of unusual chemical abundance patterns, including excesses of Li, Rb, Mo, and Ca. However, electromagnetic observations cannot unambiguously identify the presence of a neutron star core. Detection of continuous gravitational wave emission from a rotating neutron star core would provide strong supporting evidence for the existence of TŻOs. We present a model for gravitational wave detector confirmation of TŻOs and demonstrate that these objects should be detectable with Advanced LIGO. We also investigate possible targets for joint optical and gravitational searches, and comment on prospects for detectability in both current and future gravitational wave detector networks.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Sensing Optical Cavity Mismatch with a Mode-Converter and Quadrant Photodiode

We present a new technique for sensing optical cavity mode mismatch and alignment by using a cylindrical lens mode converting telescope, radio-frequency quadrant photodiodes, and a heterodyne detection scheme. The telescope allows the conversion of the Laguerre-Gauss bullseye mode (LG01) into the 45deg rotated Hermite-Gauss ("pringle") mode (HG11), which can be easily measured with quadrant photodiodes. We show that we can convert to the HG basis optically, measure mode mismatched and alignment signals using widely produced radio-frequency quadrant photodiodes, and obtain a feedback error signal with heterodyne detection.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Folding Gravitational-Wave Interferometers

The sensitivity of kilometer-scale terrestrial gravitational wave interferometers is limited by mirror coating thermal noise. We explore the effect of folding the arm cavities of such interferometers. While simple folding alone does not reduce the mirror coating thermal noise, it makes the folding mirror the critical mirror, opening up a variety of design and upgrade options.

gr-qc↗