Measuring and putting limits on gravitational-waves using pulsar timing

Rutger van Haasteren

November 18, 2010

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Abstract: Several pulsar timing projects (PTAs) have been initiated around the globe to detect astrophysical gravitational-waves. We are now entering an era where such a detection can become reality, and a careful analysis of these projects and the data is needed. The data analysis algorithm we have developed is Bayesian, and is easily adjusted to detect many different kinds of signals. We have used it to calculate upper-limits on the gravitational-wave background, as part of the European PTA program, and in our search for single sources of gravitational-waves like gravitational-wave memory bursts.