Effects of the interstellar medium on detection of low-frequency gravitational waves
Abstract
Time variable delays due to radio wave propagation in the ionized interstellar medium are a substantial source of error in pulsar timing array efforts. We describe the physical origin of these effects, discussing dispersive and scattering effects separately. Where possible, we give estimates of the magnitude of timing errors produced by these effects and their scaling with radio frequency. Although there is general understanding of the interstellar medium propagation errors to be expected with pulsar timing array observations, detailed comparison between theory and practice is still in its infancy, particularly with regard to scattering effects.
Repository Citation
Stinebring, Dan. 2013. "Effects of the interstellar medium on detection of low-frequency gravitational waves." Classical and Quantum Gravity 30(22): 224006.
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Publication Date
11-21-2013
Publication Title
Classical and Quantum Gravity
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/30/22/224006
Keywords
Pulsar scintillation arcs, Refractive scintillation, VLBI astrometry, Parabolic arcs, Flux-density, Spectra, Plasma, Scattering
Language
English
Format
text
