Upper Limits on a Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background Using LIGO and Virgo Interferometers at 600-1000 Hz

• Published in: NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI). Misc. Resources
• Main Authors: Abadie, J, Abbott, B P, Agathos, M, Agatsuma, K, Ajith, P, Allen, B, Amador Ceron, E, Amariutei, D, Anderson, S B, Anderson, W G, Arai, K, Arain, M A, Abbott, R, Araya, M C, Aston, S M, Blackburn, L, Cannizzo, J, Abbott, T D, Abernathy, M, Accadia, T, Acernese, F, Adams, C, Adhikari, R, Affeldt, C
• Format: Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Hampton NASA/Langley Research Center 23.02.2012
• Subjects: Gravitation; Gravitational waves; Interferometers; Superposition (mathematics)

A stochastic background of gravitational waves is expected to arise from a superposition of many incoherent sources of gravitational waves, of either cosmological or astrophysical origin. This background is a target for the current generation of ground-based detectors. In this article we present the first joint search for a stochastic background using data from the LIGO and Virgo interferometers. In a frequency band of 600-1000 Hz, we obtained a 95% upper limit on the amplitude of omega(sub GW)(f) = omega(sub 3) (f/900Hz)3, of omega(sub 3) < 0.33, assuming a value of the Hubble parameter of h(sub 100) = 0.72. These new limits are a factor of seven better than the previous best in this frequency band.