English

F-statistic search for white-dwarf binaries in the first Mock LISA Data Challenge

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2008-11-26 v1

Abstract

The F-statistic is an optimal detection statistic for continuous gravitational waves, i.e., long-duration (quasi-)monochromatic signals with slowly-varying intrinsic frequency. This method was originally developed in the context of ground-based detectors, but it is equally applicable to LISA where many signals fall into this class of signals. We report on the application of a LIGO/GEO F-statistic code to LISA data-analysis using the long-wavelength limit (LWL), and we present results of our search for white-dwarf binary signals in the first Mock LISA Data Challenge. Somewhat surprisingly, the LWL is found to be sufficient -- even at high frequencies -- for detection of signals and their accurate localization on the sky and in frequency, while a more accurate modelling of the TDI response only seems necessary to correctly estimate the four amplitude parameters.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0707.0128,
  title  = {F-statistic search for white-dwarf binaries in the first Mock LISA Data Challenge},
  author = {Reinhard Prix and John T. Whelan},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0707.0128},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

submitted to CQG for proceedings of 11th GW Data Analysis workshop

R2 v1 2026-06-21T08:54:11.285Z