Current Student /Thesis Database

This is a database of (we hope) all graduate students associated with the LSC, their advisors, and their thesis topics.

The purpose of this database is to enable students, who are working on related topics, to find each other, exchange ideas and information, and if appropriate, collaborate.

It is the responsibility of each student's thesis advisor to provide the information for this database to the webmaster, via the Thesis Input Page, and keep that information up to date. The advisor can delegate that responsibility.

Past Ph.D. students list and input form


Student Advisor Thesis Title Thesis Topics Start Estimated Completion
Amin, Rupal
[PhD]
LIGO Livingston
+1 225 686-3119
Joe Giaime
LIGO Livingston
+1 225 578-5794
Higher power in L1 detector
(very preliminary) Implementation of higher power and associated readout in L1 during post-S5 enhancements.
 
 
Betzwieser, Joseph
[PhD]
NW17-241
617-324-1630
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161, MIT
617-253-5657
Analysis of spatial modes for sensitivity improvements to a gravitational wave interferometer and an isolated pulsar search
A two part thesis that involves study of the modal content of the LIGO interferometer. resolving wavefront sensor, including different heating states which require corrections with a thermal compensation system
 
 
Blackburn, Lindy
[PhD]
NW17-161, 175 Albany St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 452-3605
Erik Katsavounidis
NW17-161, 175 Albany St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 258-9218
Search for gravitational wave burst from binary black hole mergers and supernovae
Develop a search pipeline for transients from binary black hole mergers and/or supernovae folding the waveform information available for these systems. Apply such techniques in the context of a short-GRB search. Establish a close to real-time analysis and follow up of candidates.
 
 
Bloomer, Edward
[PhD]
University of Glasgow
 
Graham Woan
University of Glasgow
 
not set yet
Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods applied to parameter estimation in ground- and space-based gravitational wave detection, concentrating on the LISA confusion problem.
 
 
Bodiya, Timothy
[PhD]
NW17-161 MIT
617-452-5049
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161 MIT
617-253-5657
TBD
Quantum effects in extreme radiation pressure dominated interferometers. Experimental prospects for measurement of light-mirror entanglement and squeezed states of the mirror position.
09/01/06
06/01/11
Chalkley, Eleanor
[PhD]
Dept of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Glasgow
+44 141 339 8855 ext 0097
Sheila Rowan
Dept of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Glasgow
+44 141 330 4701
TBD
Investigations of material properties of suspension, mirror substrate and coating materials for use in interferometric gravitational wave detectors, including studies of the use of nodal supports in measurements of mechanical loss.
 
 
Clark, James
[PhD]
University of Glasgow
 
Graham Woan
University of Glasgow
 
not set yet
Evidence-based Bayesian methods applied to burst detection in ground-based gravitational wave detection.
 
 
Corbitt, Thomas
[PhD]
NW17-161 MIT
617-452-5049
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161 MIT
617-253-5657
Creating non-classical radiaiton fields using a Heisenberg-limited macroscopic oscillator
Quantum noise in GW detectors; quantum optical simulation code; design and impelementation of an experiment to generate squeezed states of light using coupling of radiation pressure to a macroscopic mirror oscillator.
09/01/02
12/01/07
Cumming, Alan
[PhD]
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Glasgow
+44 141 339 8855 ext 0097
Jim Hough
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Glasgow
+44 141 330 4706
TBD
Investigations of material properties of suspension, mirror substrate and coating materials for use in interferometric gravitational wave detectors, including studies of fused silica suspension elements.
 
 
Dalrymple, Josh
[PhD]
201 Physics Building, Syracuse University, Syracus
1-315-443-5967
Peter Saulson
201 Physics Building, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1130
1-315-443-5994
TBD
Study of the influence of impulsive environmental disturbances on the interferometers, and development of methods to use PEM channels as vetoes appropriate for the burst search.
 
 
Dergachev, Vladimir
[PhD]
One Devonshire place apt 1011;Boston, MA 02109
1-734-255-2357
Keith Riles
Randall Lab; 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040
1-734-764-4652
All-sky Search for Periodic Gravitational Waves in LIGO Data
PowerFlux Search for Pulsars; RF Phase Camera R&D
 
 
Dooley, Kate
[PhD]
Physics Department, University of Florida
(352) 392-0521
David Reitze
Physics Department, University of Florida
(352) 392-3582
To Be Determined
Instrument Science
01/07
 
Duke, Ian William
[PhD]
NW17-161 MIT
617-253-0203
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161 MIT
617-253-5657
TBD
Lock acquisition studies for Advanced LIGO, including quad suspension dynamics.
09/01/06
06/01/11
Fang, Hua
[PhD]
130-33, Caltech
626-395-8654
Kip S. Thorne
130-33, Caltech
626-395-4598
Topics in GW Science
1. Foundations for LIGO data analysis for EMRI's (extreme-mass-ratio inspirals). 2. Non-LSC topics: tidal coupling in EMRI's, "kludge" waveforms of LISA's EMRI's, and frame dragging & Mach's Principle.
 
 
Fazi, Diego
[PhD]
Caltech MC 18-34
626 395 8506
Duncan Brown
Caltech MC 18-34
626 395 8812
Searching for spinning neutron star black hole binaries in S5 data
Implementation of the Physical Template Family described in Phys. Rev. D 69, 104017 (2004). Using this code to search S5 data for spinning neutron star/black hole binaries.
 
 
Fotopoulos, Nickolas
[PhD]
NW17-161, 175 Albany St, Cambridge, MA 02139
 
Erik Katsavounidis
NW17-161, 175 Albany St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 258 9218
Searching for Stochastic Gravitational Waves Using Co-located Interferometric Detectors
Demonstrate limitations, capability of the H1-H2 pair of detectors in a search for stochastic radiation. Investigate environmental couplings to the instruments and establish vetoes for cleaning coherence spectrum. (MASTER'S THESIS, COMPLETED SEPTEMBER 2006)
 
 
Fotopoulos, Nickolas
[PhD]
Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Mil
414 229 6438
Jolien Creighton
Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1900 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee WI, 53211
414 229 2907
Association of short duration Gamma Ray Bursts with binary coalescence: A gravitational wave search for Inspiral, Burst, and Ringdown signatures
Fotopoulos will: (i) use the inspiral, burst, ringdown pipeline to search for gravitational waves from coalescing NS/NS or NS/BH systems in association with short-duration GRB triggers from the GCN; (ii) perform a triggered search for ringdown radiation from black hole formation associated with long-duration GRBs; (iii) conduct a search for high frequency stochastic gravitational waves using the co-located Hanford detectors.
 
 
Fricke, Tobin
[PhD]
1909 Arlington Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
510-520-9697
Adrian Melissinos
University of Rochester
 
Enhanced LIGO
 
01/2005
05/2009
Fricke, Tobin
[PhD]
1062 East Villa Street, Pasadena CA 91106
510-520-9697
Adrian Melissinos
University of Rochester
 
Enhanced LIGO
 
01/2005
 
Giampanis, Stefanos
[PhD]
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Roch
585-275-9024
Adrian Melissinos
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester
585-275-2707
Search for a high frequency stochastic background of gravitational waves
I will analyze the S5 data for a stochastic background in the region of 37.52 kHz by correlating the H1 and H2 interferometers. I will also make a directed search at this frequency by correlating H1 and L1.
 
 
Goda, Keisuke
[PhD]
MS18-34 Caltech
626-395-4627
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161, MIT
617-253-5657
Development of techniques for squeezing-enhanced gravitational wave interferometers
Experimental demonstration of techniques necessary for injection of squeezed vacuum into the output port of a gravitational wave interferometer, especially applicable to LIGO and Advanced LIGO.
 
 
Goetz, Evan
[PhD]
LIGO Hanford Observatory; Route 10, Mile Marker 2
1-509-372-8300 x171
Keith Riles
Randall Lab; 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040
1-734-764-4652
Unspecified (yet) Search for Pulsars in LIGO Data
Search for Pulsars (focus not yet defined); Calibration and commissioning contributions
 
 
Goggin, Lisa
[PhD]
607 Millikan, Caltech
626-395-8505
Alan Weinstein
256-48 Caltech
626-395-6682
Search for Ringdowns in LIGO data
Search for BH ringdowns in S4 and S5 data, with the LSC inspiral group
 
 
Hanna, Chad
[PhD]
202 Nicholson Hall, Tower Dr., Louisiana State Uni
225 578 0945
Gabriela Gonzalez
202 Nicholson Hall, Tower Dr., Louisiana State Univ.
225 578 0468
Reducing false alarm rates in gravitational wave searches (preliminary)
A signal-based veto is developed for searches of gravitational waves using matched filtering. The veto strategy is based in a statistical test applied to the template bank used. The veto will be applied to the LIGO searches for neutron stars and black holes.
 
 
Harstad, Emelie
[PhD]
Physics Department, 1274 Univ. of Oregon, Eugene,
(451) 346-4722
Brau/Frey
Physics Department, 1274 Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1274
(541) 346-4766
TBD
Instrumental work: investigation of noise sources. Astrophysical work: (tentative) search for signals from Supernovae.
 
 
Hirose, Eiichi
[PhD]
201 Physics Building, Syracuse University, Syracus
1-315-443-3881
Saulson, Peter
201 Physics Building, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1130
1-315-443-5994
TBD
Validation of time domain calibration, study of short-timescale variations in interferometer calibration, and the influence of such variations on interpretations of burst search results.
 
 
Hirose, Eiichi
[PhD]
201 Physics Building, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1130
1-315-443-3881
Saulson, Peter
201 Physics Building, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13224-1130
1-315-443-5994
Radiation pressure effects (esp. Sigg-Sidles Instability) in GW ifos
Work at Hanford (esp. with Keita Kawabe) on experiments and theory to demonstrate and explore the Sigg-Sidles instability and its relevance to future GW interferometers.
06/01/05
05/15/09
Kalmus, Peter Michael
[PhD]
Pupin Lab, Columbia University
212 854 5762
Szabolcs Marka
1009 Pupin Lab, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
212 854 8209
(TBD) Detector calibration and search for astrophisically triggered signals
Investigate higher accuracy calibration method(s) for LIGO/Virgo. Search for the gravitational wave counterpart of bursts of astrophisical origin in S5 data, focusing on the close by GRBs and Soft Gamma-Ray Repeater s(SGR) with coincident detector coverage.
 
 
Kanner, Jonah
[PhD]
Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College
 
Shawhan, Peter
Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
301-405-1580
TBD
Search for gravitational wave bursts with electromagnetic counterparts.
01/07/07
07/10
Kasprzyk, Dominik
[PhD]
School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of
 
Alberto Vecchio
School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
+44 (0)121 414 6447
TBD
Upper-limits on radiation from accreting msec x-ray pulsars and other LMXBs based on the analysis of LIGO/GEO/.. data using a frequency domain coherent analysis approach
 
 
Kawazoe, Fumiko
[PhD]
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3625
Seiji Kawamura
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3618
TBD
Experiment on the 4m tuned resonant sideband extraction prototype.
 
 
Keppel, Drew
[PhD]
607 Millikan, Caltech
626-395-8508
Alan Weinstein
256-48 Caltech
626-395-6682
TBD
Search for BNS inspiral signals in S5 data with the LSC Inspiral group; inpiral parameter estimation; measuring GW speed, polarization, and presence of PN corrections in high-SNR inspiral detections,...
 
 
Kokeyama, Keiko
[PhD]
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3662
Seiji Kawamura
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3618
TBD
Experiment on advanced interferometer configuration.
 
 
Lovelace, Geoffrey
[PhD]
130-33, Caltech
626-395-4221
Kip S. Thorne
130-33, Caltech
626-395-4598
Topics in GW Science
1. Scaling laws for thermal noise with changes of light-beam shape. 2. Foundations for LIGO data analysis for EMRI's (extreme-mass-ratio inspirals). 3. Non-LSC topics: a. tidal coupling in EMRI's, and numerical simulations of binary black holes.
 
 
Mandel, Ilya
[PhD]
130-33, Caltech
626-395-8655
Kip S. Thorne
130-33, Caltech
626-395-4598
Topics in GW Science
1. Foundations for LIGO data analysis for EMRI's (extreme-mass-ratio inspirals). 2. Non-LSC topic: Periodic Standing Wave Approximation for binary black holes.
 
 
Markowitz, Jared
[PhD]
NW17-161, 175 Albany St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 452-3605
Erik Katsavounidis
NW17-161, 175 Albany St, Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 258-9218
Directional Searches for Gravitational Wave Transients with LIGO
Apply coherent and incoherent methods for pursuing astrophysical point sources. Obtain the gravitational wave sky map for transient sources. Detector work TBD.
 
 
Martin, Iain
[PhD]
Dept of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasg
+44 141 339 8855 ext 0097
Sheila Rowan
Dept of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow
+44 141 330 4701
TBD
Investigations of material properties of suspension, mirror substrate and coating materials for use in interferometric gravitational wave detectors, including studies of the mechanical loss of coatings as a function of temperature.
 
 
Martin, Robert
[Master]
Computer Science/ Physics department, University of Texas at Brownsville, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520.
956-882-6778
Soma Mukherjee
Physics department, University of Texas at Brownsville, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520.
956 882-6679
(Very preliminary) Implementation of multidimensional classification analysis pipeline in a distributed environment.
This project involves script development and implementation of the multidimensional glitch classification pipeline in a distributed environment, automation, archiving, and development of a GUI for external LSC use.
Fall 2007
Summer 2009
Miller, John
[PhD]
CIT LIGO Laboratory, California Institute of Techn
626-395-2079
Ken Strain
Dept of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ
+44 141 330 5884
TBD
Experimental tests of cavities with flat-top mode shapes for application in advanced gravitational wave detectors. This will involve the construction of test cavities and characterisation of their behaviour. Work is also planned towards the direct measurement of thermal noise. The work is to be carried out at Caltech and elsewhere.
 
 
Mitra Sanjit
[PhD]
IUCAA, Ganeshkhind, Pune - 411 007, India
**91-20-25604215
Dhurandhar Sanjeev (guide) & Souradeep Tarun (co-guide)
IUCAA, Ganeshkhind, Pune - 411 007, India
**91-20-25604224, 212
Efficient analysis algorithms for gravitational waves and cosmology (provisional)
Developing efficient data analysis algorithms for the analysis of gravitational waves (GW) and cosmic microwave background (CMB). Analysis of detector beams in GW and CMB and their effective deconvolution for obtaining sky maps.
 
 
Murray, Peter
[PhD]
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Univ.of Glasgow
+44 141 339 8855 ext 0099
Sheila Rowan
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Univ.of Glasgow
+44 141 330 4701
TBD
Investigations of the mechanical loss of mirror substrate materials and coatings for use in interferometric gravitational wave detectors, including studies of the loss factors of silicon samples of different crystalline axes, doping and dimensions.
 
 
Nishizawa, Atsushi
[PhD]
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3662
Seiji Kawamura
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3618
TBD
Theory on advanced interferometer configuration.
 
 
Pankow, Chris
[PhD]
Department of Physics P.O. Box 118440, Gainesville FL 32611
352-846-3115
Sergey Klimenko
Department of Physics P.O. Box 118440, Gainesville FL 32611
352-392-9225
Search For Gravitational Waves From Binary Black Holes
Utilizing a burst algorithm with model-dependent constraints to perform a search for gravitational waves from all three phases of coalescing binary systems.
05/2006
05/2010
Pankow, Chris
[PhD]
Physics Department, University of Florida
(352) 846-3115
Sergei Klimenko
Physics Department, University of Florida
(352) 392-9225
Data Analysis
TBD
09/07
09/11
Patel, Pinkesh
[PhD]
607 Millikan, Caltech
626-395-8508
Alan Weinstein
256-48 Caltech
626-395-6682
TBD
Search for pulsar signals in LIGO data; parameter estimation; measurement of GW speed and polarization in high-SNR CW signals
 
 
Pletsch, Holger
[PhD]
UWM Physics Department 1900 East Kenwood Blvd
+1 414 229 4474
Bruce Allen
UWM Physics Department
+1 414 229 6439
Searching for Continuous Gravitational Waves from Rotating Neutron Stars with Einstein@Home
Postprocessing of Einstein@Home results to search for isolated pulsars.
 
 
Reed, Tracie
[PhD]
Grambling State University
318-274-2423
Zotov, Natalia
Louisiana Tech University
318-257-3171
TBD
Automated trigger analysis, particularly for the Inspiral group.
 
 
Robinson, Emma L
[PhD]
School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bir
+44 (0)121 414 3721
Vecchio, Alberto
School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
+44 (0)121 414 6447
A Bayesian approach to searches for gravitational wave stochastic backgrounds (provisional)
Searches for/upper-limits on isotropic gravitational wave stochastic backgrounds in LIGO, GEO (and possibly VIRGO) data using a Bayesian approach
 
 
Rollins, Jameson Graef
[PhD]
Pupin Lab, Columbia University
212 854 5762
Szabolcs Marka
1009 Pupin Lab, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
212 854 8209
(TBD) Advanced detector studies and search for the gravitational wave signature of close by optical supernovae
Advanced detector studies (TBD) Search for gravitational waves associated optical supernovae focusing on relatively closeby events with well detected light curve signatures (to minimize the uncertainity in the timing of the event).
 
 
Sakata, Shihori
[PhD]
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3664
Seiji Kawamura
NAOJ, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
+81-422-34-3618
TBD
Experiment of observation and reduction of radiation pressure noise.
 
 
Savov, Pavlin
[PhD]
130-33, Caltech
626-395-2151
Kip S. Thorne
130-33, Caltech
626-395-4598
Topics in GW Science
1. Sidles-Sigg instability for Mexican-Hat Mirrors. 2. Duality relations for nearly concentric and nearly flat optical cavities. 3. Influence of low-finesse modes on Parametric Instability in advanced LIGO.
 
 
Shapiro, Brett
[PhD]
NW17-161 MIT
617-452-3574
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161 MIT
617-253-5657
Control optimization of a quadruple pendulum
Control laws in the Advanced LIGO quadruple suspension and isolation platform.
09/01/05
06/01/10
Smith, Nicolas
[PhD]
NW17-161 MIT
617-324-1630
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161 MIT
617-253-5657
TBD
Optical torque instabilities in radiation pressure dominated interferometers; enhanced LIGO readout beam line.
09/01/06
06/01/11
Stone, Robert
[PhD]
Physics department, University of Texas at Brownsville, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520.
956-882-6655
Soma Mukherjee
soma@phys.utb.edu
956 882-6679
(Preliminary) Study of band-limited non-stationarity and development of seismic data quality flag for LIGO fifth science run; Glitch classification using time series classification algorithms.
This project involves analysis of non-stationarity using the output of NoiseFloorMon for S5. A seismic data quality flag is under development. The second part of the thesis involves glitch classification using time series classification algorithms.
2007
-
Taylor, J. Robert
[PhD]
Dept of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Glasgow
+44 141 339 8855 ext 2517
Ken Strain
Dept of Physics and Astronomy, Univ. of Glasgow
+44 141 330 5884
TBD
Design and construction of a thermal noise measurement interferometer. Design, construction and testing of 3-mirror coupled cavity experiments.
 
 
Torres, Charlie
[PhD]
University of Texas at Brownsville
 
Warren Anderson
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
 
Tracksearch: Searching for longer-lived unmodeled bursts in interferometric gravitational wave data
Tracksearch is a method for looking for unmodeled gravitational waves that is particularly well suited to longer-lived (seconds or minutes long) signals. It was introduced into the literature in 1999, but has not been actively pursued until Charlie picked it up for his thesis topic. He has introduced a new trigger statistic, compared it to the original statistic, and written a full lal/condor based implementation. He will be running on LIGO data to give some initial insight into how to the algorithm performs on real data and what refinements might be needed for real data.
 
 
Veitch, John
[PhD]
University of Glasgow
 
Graham Woan
University of Glasgow
 
not set yet
Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods applied to parameter estimation in ground- and space-based gravitational wave detection, concentrating on periodic souces.
 
 
Ward, Robert
[PhD]
LIGO 40m Lab, Caltech
626-395-2351
Alan Weinstein
256-48 Caltech
626-395-6682
Development of Advanced Interferometer configurations and readout
Lock acquisition for 40m/AdLIGO dual-recycled FPMI interferometers, DC readout, simulations
 
 
Wen, Shyang
[PhD]
LIGO Livingston
1 (225) 686-3119
Joe Giaime
LIGO Livingston
1 (225) 578-5794
Increased duty fraction at LLO
Configuration of LLO detector to maximize duty fraction, study of effect of seismic noise on detector performance, both for LIGO-1 and its enhancements.
 
 
Wipf, Christopher
[PhD]
NW17-240
617-452-5046
Nergis Mavalvala
NW17-161, MIT
617-253-5657
TBD
Study quantum behavior in an interferometer comprising low-mass pendular mirrors and high-power optical fields. A theoretical and experimental study of quantum effects arising in this system.
 
 
Wu, Wan
[PhD]
Physics Department, University of Florida
(352) 392-1194
David Tanner
Physics Department, University of Florida
(352) 392-4715
(Preliminary) Development and Characterization of Electro-optic Modulation for Second Generation Gravitational Wave Interferometers
- measurement of noises in EO modulation - simulation of EO noise in Advanced LIGO - development of novel EO architectures
09/02
09/07
Zhang, Junyi
[PhD]
Randall Lab; 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1
1-734-764-5146
Keith Riles
Randall Lab; 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040
1-734-764-4652
To be determined
Astrophysical search TBD; Instrumental work TBD