Searching for periodic gravitational waves from spinning neutron stars Seminar

In this talk I will review the current status and future outlook of searches for continuous gravitational waves (CWs) from spinning neutron stars. The Initial LIGO and Virgo detectors have finished taking data, and are currently being upgraded to the 2nd generation Advanced stage. This is therefore a good opportunity to review our progress so far, and to confront prospects for CW searches in the Advanced era. Two of the main questions [addressed in this talk] are: (i) Can we reasonably expect a CW detection in the Advanced era? (ii) What astrophysical insights can we gain in the absence or presence of a detection?