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Thursday, March 30, 2023
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

LIGO Seminar

https://caltech.zoom.us/j/82072539167

Title: "Gravitational wave backgrounds: detection methods and implications" with Kevin Turbang, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Abstract: The detection of a gravitational-wave background would allow us to extract information about the astrophysical and/or cosmological sources that generated it. After briefly reviewing the current detection method for an isotropic gravitational-wave background using the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detectors, I will discuss an alternative, more sensitive, method targeting the intermittent nature of the astrophysical background. The remainder of the talk will be devoted to implications from a gravitational-wave background, both astrophysical and cosmological. In particular, I will illustrate how the gravitational-wave background, on top of compact binary coalescences, can provide additional information for population analyses. To conclude, I will discuss how the constraints on a gravitational-wave background can be used to probe the very early stages of the Universe, mostly focusing on first order phase transitions.

For more information, please contact Ryan Magee by email at [email protected].