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 |
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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. |
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Baker, Paul [PhD] Dept. Physics, MSU |
Cornish, Neil Dept. Physics, MSU 406 994 7986 |
TBD |
Black Hole Ringdown searches in S5/S6
Bayesian Followup, MCMC |
01/15/2008 |
04/1/2011 |
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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 |
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Biswas, Rahul [PhD] Dept of Physics, Univ of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI 53201 414-229-6438 |
Patrick Brady Dept of Physics, Univ of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI 53201 414-678-1174 |
TBD |
Search for compact binary signals in S5/VSR2 LIGO-Virgo data; statistical methods for rate upper limits and intervals; novel background estimation techniques |
06/01/2005 |
06/01/2010 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Britzger, Michael [PhD] Albert Einstein Institute, Callinstr. 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany +49 511 762 17086 |
Prof. Dr. Roman Schnabel Albert Einstein Institute, Callinstr. 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany +49 511 762 19169 |
Diffractive optics for gravitational wave astronomy |
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02/08 |
12/11 |
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Burmeister, Oliver [PhD] Albert-Einstein-Institute, Callinstr. 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany +4951176217087 |
Prof. Roman Schnabel Albert-Einstein-Institute, Callinstr. 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany +4951176219169 |
Properties of 3-port grating cavities |
All-reflective interferometry |
04/01/05 |
01/10 |
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Caride, Santiago [PhD] 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-5146 |
Keith Riles 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-4652 |
TBD |
Likely to concern pulsar searches. |
09/08 |
08/13 |
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Chalermsongsak, Tara [PhD] MC 103-33 Pasadena CA 91125 +1 626 395 2063 |
Eric Black, Ken Libbrecht MC 264-33 Pasadena CA 91125 626-395-3858 |
TBD |
Instrument Science, Thermal and Non-Gaussian Noise |
07/16/2007 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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Dahl, Katrin [PhD] AEI Hannover, Callinstr. 38, D-30167 Hannover, Germany +49-511-762-17139 |
Karsten Danzmann AEI Hannover, Callinstr. 38, D-30167 Hannover, Germany +49-511-762-2229 |
Suspension Platform Interferometer for the AEI 10m Prototype Interferometer |
Construction of an interferometer to measure and control the relative motions between 10m apart optical benches, which are situated inside the AEI 10m Prototype vacuum tanks. |
01/2008 |
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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. |
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Dergachev, Vladimir [PhD] 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-5146 |
Keith Riles 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-4652 |
An All-Sky Search for Continuous Gravitational Waves |
PowerFlux All-sky pulsar search;
Development of RF wavefront camera. |
09/02 |
08/09 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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Fotopoulos, Nickolas [Master] 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) |
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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. |
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Fricke, Tobin [PhD] 1909 Arlington Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 510-520-9697 |
Adrian Melissinos University of Rochester |
Enhanced LIGO |
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01/2005 |
05/2009 |
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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. |
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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. |
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Goetz, Evan [PhD] 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-5146 |
Keith Riles 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-4652 |
Searching for Continuous Gravitational Waves from Binary Systems |
All-sky search for binary pulsars;
calibration method development. |
09/04 |
08/10 |
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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 |
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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. |
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Harry, Ian [PhD] |
Stephen Fairhurst |
TBD |
Searches for coalescing binaries in S5 and S6/VSR2, development of search pipeline, stochastic template banks, coherent search for spinning waveforms |
10/01/07 |
12/10 |
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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. |
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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 |
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Hodge, Kari [PhD] 607 Millikan, Caltech 626-395-8813 |
Alan Weinstein 256-48 Caltech 626-395-6682 |
TBD |
S6 high mass search.
Improvements in signal/background separation in CBC searches using multivariate statistics. |
6/1/2007 |
6/1/2012 |
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Hooper, Shaun [PhD] School of Physics, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, UWA, WA 6009, Australia +61(8) 6488 4262 |
Linqing Wen School of Physics, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, UWA, WA 6009, Australia +61 (8) 6488 2726 |
Low latency searches and localization of inspiral sources |
on GW data analysis |
01/2009 |
06/2012 |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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,... |
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Khalaidovski, Alexander [PhD] Callinstrasse 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany 004951176217125 |
Roman Schnabel Callinstrasse 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany 004951176219169 |
Generation of squeezed states for gravitational wave detectors |
Generation of squeezed states; Nonlinear- and quantum optics; Construction of a strong portable squeezed light source for GEO 600 |
08/10/2007 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Meadors, Grant [PhD] 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-5146 |
Keith Riles 450 Church St.; Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1040 734-764-4652 |
TBD |
Likely to concern pulsar searching. |
09/08 |
08/13 |
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Mehmet, Moritz [PhD] AEI Hannover +49 511 762 17093 |
Roman Schnabel AEI Hannover +49 511 762 19169 |
TBD |
Generation of squeezed light and optimization of squeezed light sources at 1064nm and1550nm. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Ogin, Gregory [PhD] MC 103-33 Pasadena CA 91125 |
Eric Black, Ken Libbrecht MC 264-33 Pasadena CA 91125 +1 626 395 3858 |
TBD |
Thermooptic noise in dielectric mirror coatings for advanced interferometric gravitational wave detectors. |
06/2006 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Pletsch, Holger [PhD] Callinstr. 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany +49-511-762-17171 |
Bruce Allen Callinstr. 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany +49-511-762-17148 |
TBD |
Continuous gravitational-wave data analysis, Einstein@Home. |
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Privitera, Stephen [PhD] 607 Millikan, Caltech 626-395-8509 |
Alan Weinstein 256-48 Caltech 626-395-6682 |
TBD |
S6 high mass search.
Calibration uncertainties in CBC parameter estimation (SNR, sky localization, etc). |
6/1/2009 |
6/1/2013 |
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Raymond, Vivien [PhD] Department of Physics & Astronomy, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3112, USA |
Kalogera, Vassiliki Department of Physics & Astronomy, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3112, USA +1-847-491-5669 |
Parameter estimation using MCMC methods for spinning inspirals. |
Parameter estimation based on Markov-Chain Monte Carlo methods. Application to spinning inspirals signals from ground based interferometers. Bayesian signal analysis. |
09/15/07 |
09/12 |
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Reed, Tracie [PhD] Louisiana Tech University 318-560-4998 |
Zotov, Natalia Louisiana Tech University 318-257-3171 |
TBD |
Development and application of multi-channel veto for use particularly in CBC analyses. |
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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 |
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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). |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
- |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Villar, Akira [PhD] MC 103-33 Pasadena CA 91125 +1 626 395 3313 |
Eric Black, Ken Libbrecht MC 264-33 Pasadena CA 91125 +1 626 395 3858 |
TBD |
Doping and geometric optimization of dielectric mirror coatings for advanced interferometric gravitational wave detectors. |
06/2003 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |