Search method for unmodeled transient gravitational waves associated with SGR flares

We describe a method for searching for transient gravitational waves associated with Soft Gamma-ray Repeater flares or other burst-like events using data collected by interferometric gravitational wave detectors. The method as implemented can be used to analyze data from either a single detector or from two detectors coherently. The excess power type algorithm creates a time series from conditioned detector data which is then calibrated via signal simulations of known strength based on plausible waveform classes. Estimated search sensitivities obtained by performing two-detector searches on simulated S5 LIGO data are presented. In the case of 22 ms duration white noise bursts in the 100-200 Hz band, we find characteristic strain sensitivity h rss = 2.8× 10−22 Hz− 1 2 . PACS numbers: 07.05.Kf P. Kalmus, S. Márka, L. Matone, R. Khan Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA E-mail: [email protected] LIGO-P070024-00-Z