Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy: An Introduction to Theory, Experiment and Data Analysis (Wiley Series in Cosmology)

This most up-to-date, one-stop reference combines coverage of both theory and observational techniques, with introductory sections to bring all readers up to the same level. Written by outstanding researchers directly involved with the scientific program of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), the book begins with a brief review of general relativity before going on to describe the physics of gravitational waves and the astrophysical sources of gravitational radiation. Further sections cover gravitational wave detectors, data analysis, and the outlook of gravitational wave astronomy and astrophysics. Jolien Creighton is Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA. He is chair of a group of the internal review committee for the LIGO gravitational physics experiment, member e.g. of the LIGO Software Change Control Board, reviewer for NSF, NSERC, and several scientific journals. His research is awarded with continuous NSF funding since 2002 and NSERC student/postdoc awards for many years in a row. Warren Anderson is Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics at UWM, a position he has assumed after coming from University of Texas. He has served as Associate Director of Center for Gravitational Wave Astronomy from 2002-2003, also chairs a group of LIGO Scientific Collaboration, and is on organizing committees for various scientific meetings as well as on review panels, e.g. for NASA. Patrick Brady is Professor of Physics at UWM. Previous assignments have been with UC Santa Barbara, CALTECH and other institutions. He is chair of the Data Analysis Software Working Group of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, Co-chair of the Inspiral Analysis Group of the LSC, and also has served as reviewer for NSF and for NASA, and for scientic journals. He is speaker for World Year of Physics APS speakers program. Introduction Prologue: Tides in Newton’s gravity/Relativity 1. A brief review of General Relativity 2. Gravitational waves 3. Beyond the Newtonian limit 4. Sources of gravitational radiation 5. Gravitational wave detectors 6. Gravitational wave data analysis Epilogue: Gravitational wave astronomy and astrophysics A. Gravitational wave detector data B. Post-Newtonian Binary Inspiral Waveform