The European Pulsar Timing Array: current efforts and a LEAP toward the future

Ferdman RD;van Haasteren R;Bassa CG;Burgay M;Cognard I;Corongiu A;D'AMICO, NICOLO';Desvignes G;Hessels JWT;Janssen GH;Jessner A;Jordan C;Karuppusamy R;Keane EF;Kramer M;Lazaridis K;Levin Y;Lyne AG;Pilia M;Possenti A;Purver M;Stappers B;Sanidas S;Smits R;Theureau G.

2010-01-01

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Abstract

The European Pulsar Timing Array (EPTA) is a multi-institutional, multi-telescope collaboration, with the goal of using high-precision pulsar timing to directly detect gravitational waves. In this paper we discuss the EPTA member telescopes, current achieved timing precision and near-future goals. We report a preliminary upper limit to the amplitude of a gravitational wave background. We also discuss the Large European Array for Pulsars, in which the five major European telescopes involved in pulsar timing will be combined to provide a coherent array that will give similar sensitivity to the Arecibo radio telescope, and larger sky coverage.