Gravitational wave detection and cosmic string detection with current radio interferometers

Abstract

Analysis of highly precise pulsar timing observations may result in the detection of gravitational waves. Following Jenet et al. (2005) we present the detection significance of current and future radio observatories including the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA), the GMRT, the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR), the Arecibo Telescope and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) to gravitational waves as a function of background amplitude and sensitivity. The feasibility of such detections and the required duration of observations are determined by the achievable root-mean-square (rms) error of the timing residuals and the timing stability of the pulsars involved. Using the same procedure as Jenet et al. (2005) the sensitivity curves produced here indicate the amplitude range detectable with these new observatories and provide bounds on the observability of gravitational waves with current radio interferometers. Through the generation of fake times-of arrival data files for millisecond pulsars, we investigate how the sensitivity function of each observatory varies with increasing observation time. An attempt to simulate and detect a gravitational wave background generated from cosmic strings, is also made.