Validating continuous gravitational-wave candidates from a semicoherent search using Doppler modulation and an effective point spread function

Abstract

Following up large numbers of candidates in continuous gravitational wave searches presents a challenge, particularly in regard to computational power and the time required to manually scrutinize each of the candidates. It is important to design and test good follow-up procedures that are safe (i.e., minimize false dismissals) and computationally efficient across many search configurations. We investigate two follow-up procedures, or "vetoes," both of which exploit the Doppler modulation predicted in astrophysical signals. In particular, we introduce the concept of using an effective point spread function as part of our veto criteria. We take advantage of a well-established semicoherent search algorithm based on a hidden Markov model to study various search configurations and to generalize the veto criteria by considering the overall veto performance in terms of efficiency and safety. The results can serve as a guideline for follow-up studies in future continuous gravitational wave searches using a hidden Markov model algorithm. The results also apply qualitatively to other semicoherent search algorithms.

24 pages, 15 figures

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Cited by in corpus (7)

• Searches for Continuous-Wave Gravitational Radiation
• Methods and prospects for gravitational wave searches targeting ultralight vector boson clouds around known black holes
• Applications of machine learning in gravitational wave research with current interferometric detectors
• Search for continuous gravitational waves from PSR J0437$-$4715 with a hidden Markov model in O3 LIGO data
• Search for continuous gravitational waves directed at sub-threshold radiometer candidates in O3 LIGO data
• Assessing the similarity of continuous gravitational-wave signals to narrow instrumental artifacts
• Doppler correlation-driven vetoes for the Frequency Hough analysis in continuous gravitational-wave searches