DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/9WY0-M997
Defense Date
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Physics and Applied Physics
First Advisor
Dr. Robert H. Gowdy
Second Advisor
Dr. Marco Aldi
Third Advisor
Dr. Dennis Demchenko
Abstract
The eld of gravitational wave astronomy is currently at an all time high. The
rst half of the most recent observing run (April 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019) yielded
a total of 39 gravitational wave detections, including 13 from sources which had not
been identied by other astronomical observation methods before. This is three times
as many detections than were measured in the rst two observing runs combined.
In this paper, the design sensitivity decisions leading to this unprecedented rate of
detection are explored. In particular, we detail the nature of the LIGO and VIRGO
gravitational wave interferometers. One recently detected event of particular interest,
GW190814, was shown to possess a number of extraordinary properties relative to
previous gravitational wave detections. It exhibits the greatest mass asymmetry of any
system observed to date, leading to evidence of waveform contributions from higher
order multipoles. The mass of the smaller object has generated curiosity in the eld
over whether the system is a binary black hole or neutron star-black hole merger. The
nature of this component and the resulting properties of the system will be explored.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-11-2020