Analysis of the Principle for Gravitational Wave Detection Based on Pulsar Timing Arrays

Abstract

As a matter of fact, the hunt for gravitational waves have been under the spotlight since LIGO researchers took home the Nobel Prize. In reality, different from the laser interferometers used by LIGO, pulsar timing arrays are also feasible ways to detect gravitational waves. With this in mind, this article will mainly focus on how pulsar timing arrays could detect gravitational waves as well as its achievements so far. To be specific, pulsar timing arrays consisted of rotating pulsars in space, and their regular burst of radio waves serve as stopwatches. When gravitational waves pass by, the frequency at which human beings’ receiving radio waves will change at the same time. Pulsar timing array projects around the world have been busy recording pulsars up to now, but more discoveries will come out soon. They also utilized their data to verify previous calculations such as the Helling-Downs curve. According to the analysis, the current limitations and prospects are demonstrated.