The Dawn of Pulsar Timing Array Gravitational-Wave Astronomy

Explore a comprehensive seminar on the emerging field of Pulsar Timing Array Gravitational-wave Astronomy. Delve into the fundamentals of pulsars, pulsar timing arrays, and the Helens Bounce Curve. Examine the history of pulsar limits, detection methods, and common spectrum processes. Investigate background issues, cross correlations, and the road ahead for this exciting area of research. Learn about spectral characterization, directional power, continuous wave signals, and Bayesian limits. Discover the multimessenger approach and other potential sources of gravitational waves. Gain insights into detection prospects, the expected timeline for robust detection, and the nature of the gravitational wave background. Analyze the spectrum and limitations of power law models, and explore methods for constraining isotropy. Understand decision thresholds, signal-to-noise ratios, and their evolution. Engage with experts Prof. Stephen Taylor and Dr. Nihan Pol from Vanderbilt University as they present cutting-edge research and answer questions in this hour-long APS Physics seminar.

Introduction
Pulsars
Pulsar Timing Array
Helens Bounce Curve
Sources
Who are we
A brief aside on terminology
The history of Pulsar limits
Pulsar detection
Common Spectrum Process
Background Issues
Cross Correlations
Road Ahead
Spectral Characterization
Directional Power
Continuous Wave Signals
Bayesian Limits
Multimessengers
Other Sources
Overview
Thanks Steve
Detection prospects for a single stochastic background
When can we expect to meet a robust detection
The source of the gravitational wave background
The spectrum of the background
Analyzing the background
Detecting the second background
Limitations of power law
constraining an isotopy
choosing a basis
Decision threshold
Signal to noise
Signal to noise statistic
Decision threshold evolution
Summary
Questions
Targeted PTA validation