arXiv subjects

Yi-Ming Hu

Publications and source records attributed to Yi-Ming Hu.

85 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Preliminary study on parameter estimation accuracy of supermassive black hole binary inspirals for TianQin

We use the Fisher information matrix method to calculate the parameter estimation accuracy of inspiraling supermassive black holes binaries for TianQin, a space-borne laser interferometric detector aimed at detecting gravitational waves in the millihertz frequency band. The `restricted' post-Newtonian waveform in which third order post-Newtonian (3PN) phase including spin effects (spin-orbit $β$ and spin-spin $σ$) and first-order eccentricity contribution is employed. Monte Carlo simulations using $10^3$ binaries for mass pairs with component masses in the range of $({10^5},{10^7}){M_ \odot }$ and cosmological redshift $z=0.5$ show that the medians of the root-mean-square error distributions for the chirp mass $M_c$ and symmetric mass ratio $η$ are in the range of $\sim 0.02\% - 0.7\% $ and $\sim 4\% - 8\% $, respectively. The luminosity distance $D_L$ can be determined to be $\sim 1\% - 3\% $, and the angular resolution of source $ΔΩ$ is better than 12 deg$^2$. The corresponding results for $z=1.0$ and $2.0$, which are deteriorated with the decreasing of the signal-to-noise ratio, have also been given. We show that adding spin parameters degrades measurement accuracy of the mass parameters (${M_c}$, $η$), and the time and the orbital phase of coalescence ($t_c$, $ϕ_c$); the inclusion of the first-order eccentricity correction to the phase worsens the estimation accuracy comparing with the circular cases. We also show the effects of post-Newtonian order on parameter estimation accuracy by comparing the results based on second order and third order post-Newtonian phases. Moreover, we calculate the horizon distance of supermassive black hole binaries for TianQin.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

Results from an Einstein@Home search for continuous gravitational waves from Cassiopeia A, Vela Jr. and G347.3

We report results of the most sensitive search to date for periodic gravitational waves from Cassiopeia A, Vela Jr. and G347.3 with frequency between 20 and 1500 Hz. The search was made possible by the computing power provided by the volunteers of the Einstein@Home project and improves on previous results by a factor of 2 across the entire frequency range for all targets. We find no significant signal candidate and set the most stringent upper limits to date on the amplitude of gravitational wave signals from the target population, corresponding to sensitivity depths between 54 $[1/ {\sqrt{\textrm{Hz}}}]$ and 83 $[1/ {\sqrt{\textrm{Hz}}}]$, depending on the target and the frequency range. At the frequency of best strain sensitivity, near $172$ Hz, we set 90% confidence upper limits on the gravitational wave intrinsic amplitude of $h_0^{90\%}\approx 10^{-25}$, probing ellipticity values for Vela Jr. as low as $3\times 10^{-8}$, assuming a distance of 200 pc.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Gravitational waves induced by the asymmetric jets of gamma-ray bursts

We study the gravitational wave (GW) production induced by the asymmetric jets of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The asymmetric jets result in a recoil force acted on the central compact object, whose motion leads to emission of GW. Under reasonable assumptions and simplifications, we derive the analytic form of the produce GWs. The amplitude of emitted GWs is estimated to be relatively low, but possibility exists that they can be detected by future experiments such as the Einstein Telescope. We find the dynamical properties of the central object, which is difficult to be studied via the electromagnetic (EW) channel, can be inferred by measuring the emitted GWs. Moreover, we find the emitted GWs can be used determine whether the relativistic jets is launched by the neutrino annihilation process or the Blandford-Znajek process, which cannot be clearly distinguished by the current GRB observations. Our work manifests the importance of the GW channel in multi-messenger astronomy. The physical information encoded in the GW and EW emissions of an astrophysical object is complementary to each other; in case some physics can not be effectively investigated using the EW channel alone, including the GW channel can be very helpful.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Fundamentals of the orbit and response for TianQin

TianQin is a space-based laser interferometric gravitational wave detector aimed at detecting gravitational waves at low frequencies (0.1 mHz -- 1 Hz). It is formed by three identical drag-free spacecrafts in an equilateral triangular constellation orbiting around the Earth. The distance between each pair of spacecrafts is approximately $1.7 \times 10^{5} ~\rm{km}$. The spacecrafts are interconnected by infrared laser beams forming up to three Michelson-type interferometers. The detailed mission design and the study of science objectives for the TianQin project depend crucially on the orbit and the response of the detector. In this paper, we provide the analytic expressions for the coordinates of the orbit for each spacecraft in the heliocentric-ecliptic coordinate system to the leading orders. This enables a sufficiently accurate study of science objectives and data analysis, and serves as a first step to further orbit design and optimization. We calculate the response of a single Michelson detector to plane gravitational waves in arbitrary waveform which is valid in the full range of the sensitive frequencies. It is then used to generate the more realistic sensitivity curve of TianQin. We apply this model on a reference white-dwarf binary as a proof of principle.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Excitation of high frequency voices from intermediate-mass-ratio inspirals with large eccentricity

The coalescence of a stellar-mass compact object together with an intermediate-mass black hole, also known as intermediate-mass-ratio inspiral, is usually not expected to be a viable gravitational wave source for the current ground-based gravitational wave detectors, due to the generally lower frequency of such source. In this paper, we adopt the effective-one-body formalism as the equation of motion, and obtain the accurately calculated gravitational waveforms by solving the Teukolsky equation in frequency-domain. We point out that high frequency modes of gravitational waves can be excited by large eccentricities of intermediate-mass-ratio inspirals. These high frequency modes can extend to more than 10 Hz, and enter the designed sensitive band of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. We propose that such kind of highly eccentric intermediate-mass-ratio inspirals could be feasible sources and potentially observable by the ground-based gravitational wave detectors, like the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Hearing the birth of the lightest intermediate mass black holes with the second generation gravitational wave detectors

Intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) with a mass between $10^{2}$ and $10^{5}$ times that of the sun, which bridges the {mass gap between the} stellar-mass black holes and the supermassive black holes, are crucial in understanding the evolution of the black holes. Although they are widely believed to exist, decisive evidence has long been absent. Motivated by the successful detection of massive stellar-mass black holes by advanced LIGO, through the gravitational wave radiation during the binary merger, in this work we investigate the prospect of detecting/identifying the lightest IMBHs (LIMBHs; the black holes $\gtrsim 100M_\odot$) with the second generation gravitational wave detectors. In general, the chance of hearing the birth of the LIMBHs is significantly higher than that to identify pre-merger IMBHs. The other formation channel of LIMBHs, where stars with huge mass/low-metallicity directly collapse, is likely "silent", so the merger-driven birth of the LIMBHs may be the only "observable" scenario in the near future. Moreover, the prospect of establishing the presence of (lightest) intermediate mass black holes in the O3 run and beyond of advanced LIGO is found quite promising, implying that such an instrument could make another breakthrough on astronomy in the near future. The joining of other detectors like advanced Virgo would only increase the detection rate.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Neutron star-black hole coalescence rate inferred from macronova/kilonova observations

Neutron star$-$black hole (NS$-$BH) coalescences are widely believed to be promising gravitational wave sources in the era of advanced detectors of LIGO/Virgo but such binaries have never been directly detected yet. Evidence for NS$-$BH coalescences have been suggested in short and hybrid GRB observations, which are examined critically. Based on the suggested connection between the observed macronovae/kilonovae events and NS$-$BH coalescences, we get a fiducial lower limit of NS$-$BH coalescence rate density ${\cal R}_{\rm nsbh} \approx 18.8^{+12.5}_{-8.6} ~{\rm Gpc^{-3}~ yr^{-1}~ (θ_j/0.1~{\rm rad})^{-2}}$, where $θ_{\rm j}$ is the typical half-opening angle of the GRB ejecta. The real value of ${\cal R}_{\rm nsbh}$ is likely at least $\sim {\rm a~few}$ times larger, depending upon the equation of state of NS material and the properties of the NS$-$BH system, such as the mass and spin distribution of the black hole. If the link between macronovae/kilonovae and NS$-$BH coalescence is valid, one can expect that at design sensitivity the aLIGO/AdVirgo network will detect NS$-$BH coalescence signals at a rate of at least a dozen per year, and to consequently place constraints on certain physical properties of NS$-$BH systems.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

GRB/GW association: Long-short GRB candidates, time-lag, measuring gravitational wave velocity and testing Einstein's equivalence principle

Short-duration gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) are widely believed to be powered by the mergers of compact binaries, such as binary neutron stars or possibly neutron star-black hole binaries. Though the prospect of detecting SGRBs with gravitational wave (GW) signals by the advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)/VIRGO network is promising, no known SGRB has been found within the expected advanced LIGO/VIRGO sensitivity range for binary neutron star systems. We find, however, that the two long-short GRBs (GRB 060505 and GRB 060614) may be within the horizon of advanced GW detectors. In the upcoming era of GW astronomy, the merger origin of some long-short GRBs, as favored by the macronova signature displayed in GRB 060614, can be unambiguously tested. The model-dependent time lags between the merger and the onset of the prompt emission of the GRB are estimated. The comparison of such time lags between model predictions and the real data expected in the era of the GW astronomy would be helpful in revealing the physical processes taking place at the central engine (including the launch of the relativistic outflow, the emergence of the outflow from the dense material ejected during the merger, and the radiation of gamma rays). We also show that the speed of GWs, with or without a simultaneous test of Einstein's equivalence principle, can be directly measured to an accuracy of $\sim 3\times 10^{-8}~{\rm cm~s^{-1}}$ or even better in the advanced LIGO/VIRGO era. The Astrophysical Journal, Volume

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Maximising the detection probability of kilonovae associated with gravitational wave observations

Estimates of the source sky location for gravitational wave signals are likely span areas ranging up to hundreds of square degrees or more, making it very challenging for most telescopes to search for counterpart signals in the electromagnetic spectrum. To boost the chance of successfully observing such counterparts, we have developed an algorithm which optimizes the number of observing fields and their corresponding time allocations by maximizing the detection probability. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we optimize follow-up observations targeting kilonovae using telescopes including CTIO-Dark Energy Camera, Subaru-HyperSuprimeCam, Pan-STARRS and Palomar Transient Factory. We consider three simulated gravitational wave events with 90% credible error regions spanning areas from ~30 deg^2 to ~300 deg^2. Assuming a source at 200 Mpc, we demonstrate that to obtain a maximum detection probability, there is an optimized number of fields for any particular event that a telescope should observe. To inform future telescope design studies, we present the maximum detection probability and corresponding number of observing fields for a combination of limiting magnitudes and fields-of-view over a range of parameters. We show that for large gravitational wave error regions, telescope sensitivity rather than field-of-view, is the dominating factor in maximizing the detection probability.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Systematic errors in estimation of gravitational-wave candidate significance

We investigate the issue in determining the significance of candidate transient gravitational-wave events in a ground-based interferometer network. Given the presence of non-Gaussian noise artefacts in real data, the noise background must be estimated empirically from the data itself. However, the data also potentially contains signals, thus the background estimate may be overstated due to contributions from signals. It has been proposed to mitigate possible bias by removing single-detector data samples that pass a multi-detector consistency test from the background estimates. We conduct a high-statistics Mock Data Challenge to evaluate the effects of removing such samples, modelling a range of scenarios with plausible detector noise distributions and with a range of plausible foreground astrophysical signal rates. We consider the two different modes: one in which coincident samples are removed, and one in which all samples are retained and used. Three algorithms were operated in both modes, show good consistency with each other; however, discrepancies arise between the results obtained under the "coincidence removal" and "all samples" modes, for false alarm probabilities below a certain value. In most scenarios the median of the false alarm probability (FAP) estimator under the "all samples" mode is consistent with the exact FAP. On the other hand the "coincidence removal" mode is found to be unbiased for the mean of the estimated FAP. While the numerical values at which discrepancies become apparent are specific to the details of our experiment, we believe that the qualitative differences in the behaviour of the median and mean of the FAP estimator have more general validity. On the basis of our study we suggest that the FAP of candidates for the first detection of gravitational waves should be estimated without removing single-detector samples that form coincidences.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2015

Global Optimization for Future Gravitational Wave Detectors' Sites

We consider the optimal site selection of future generations of gravitational wave detectors. Previously, Raffai et al. optimized a 2-detector network with a combined figure of merit. This optimization was extended to networks with more than two detectors in a limited way by first fixing the parameters of all other component detectors. In this work we now present a more general optimization that allows the locations of all detectors to be simultaneously chosen. We follow the definition of Raffai et al. on the metric that defines the suitability of a certain detector network. Given the locations of the component detectors in the network, we compute a measure of the network's ability to distinguish the polarization, constrain the sky localization and reconstruct the parameters of a gravitational wave source. We further define the `flexibility index' for a possible site location, by counting the number of multi-detector networks with a sufficiently high Figure of Merit that include that site location. We confirm the conclusion of Raffai et al., that in terms of flexibility index as defined in this work, Australia hosts the best candidate site to build a future generation gravitational wave detector. This conclusion is valid for either a 3-detector network or a 5-detector network. For a 3-detector network site locations in Northern Europe display a comparable flexibility index to sites in Australia. However for a 5-detector network, Australia is found to be a clearly better candidate than any other location.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Efficient Exploration of Multi-Modal Posterior Distributions

The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm is a widely recognised as an efficient method for sampling a specified posterior distribution. However, when the posterior is multi-modal, conventional MCMC algorithms either tend to become stuck in one local mode, become non-Markovian or require an excessively long time to explore the global properties of the distribution. We propose a novel variant of MCMC, mixed MCMC, which exploits a specially designed proposal density to allow the generation candidate points from any of a number of different modes. This new method is efficient by design, and is strictly Markovian. We present our method and apply it to a toy model inference problem to demonstrate its validity.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Glitch or Anti-Glitch: a Bayesian View

The sudden spin-down in the rotation of magnetar 1E 2259+586 observed by Archibald et al. (2013) was a rare event. However this particular event, referred to as an anti-glitch, was followed by another event which Archibald et al. (2013) suggested could either be a conventional glitch or another anti-glitch. Although there is no accompanied radiation activity or pulse profile change, there is decisive evidence for the existence of the second timing event, judging from the timing data. We apply Bayesian Model Selection to quantitatively determine which of these possibilities better explains the observed data. We show that the observed data strongly supports the presence of two successive anti-glitches with a Bayes Factor, often called the odds ratio, greater than 40. Furthermore, we show that the second anti-gtlich has an associated frequency change $Δν$ of $-8.2 \times 10^{-8}$ Hz. We discuss the implications of these results for possible physical mechanisms behind this anti-glitch.

astro-ph.HE↗