DETECTING GRAVITATIONAL WAVES AND THEIR ELECTROMAGNETIC COUNTERPARTS

Abstract

In the next decade, we expect a first detection of gravitational waves predicted by Einstein's general theory of relativity. A detection of their electromagnetic counterparts will significantly contribute to our confidence in a first time detection and identification of the source. We discuss the challenges in using gravitational-wave events as triggers for prompt follow-up electromagnetic observations. We demonstrate that wide-field cameras are desirable for follow-up observations of gravitational wave sources and that a larger gravitational wave detector network, e.g. adding AIGO detector in Australia, can significantly help pinpoint the direction of gravitational wave sources. We also argue that low-latency real-time detection methods and hardware acceleration using graphics processing units will help generate prompt gravitational-wave triggers within the time frames allowed for electromagnetic follow-ups in the era of advanced detectors.