Foundations of Gravitational Waves:
Theory, Sources, and Detection
From linearised Einstein equations through laser interferometry, compact binary coalescences, stochastic backgrounds, and matched-filter data analysis across four structured modules with lectures, assignments, and computational notebooks.
This course bridges general relativity and observational gravitational-wave astronomy. Starting from the quadrupole formula and Peters (1964) orbital decay formalism, it progresses through LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA detector technology, the astrophysical zoo of GW sources — compact binaries, continuous wave emitters, stochastic backgrounds, and concludes with the Bayesian and matched-filter machinery used to extract signals from noise. The course is specifically designed for advanced undergraduates, postgraduate students, and researchers entering the field.
Meet the speakers
Modules
01Foundations of Gravitational Wave Theory▼
Lectures
Tutorials
Foundations Tutorial - I
Foundations Tutorial - II
Foundations Tutorial - III
Foundations Tutorial - IV
Foundations Tutorial - V
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.
02Detection and Instrumentation▼
Detection
Lecture 2.1: Gravitational Wave Detection - I
Lecture 2.2: Gravitational Wave Detection - II
Lecture 2.3: Gravitational Wave Detection - III
Lecture 2.4: Gravitational Wave Detection - IV
Instrumentation
Lecture 2.5: Gravitational Wave Instrumentation - I
Lecture 2.6: Gravitational Wave Instrumentation - II
Tutorial
Instrumentation Experiments Tutorial
Optical Simulations using Finesse
Lecture 2.7: Optical Simulations using Finesse
Tutorial
Finesse Tutorial
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.
03Sources and Modelling▼
Post-Newtonian Theory
Lecture 3.1: Post-Newtonian Theory - I
Lecture 3.2: Post-Newtonian Theory - II
Lecture 3.3: Post-Newtonian Theory - III
Tutorials
PN Theory - I
PN Theory - II
PN Theory - III
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.
Numerical Relativity
Lecture 3.4: Numerical Relativity - I
Lecture 3.5: Numerical Relativity - II
Lecture 3.6: Numerical Relativity - III
BH Perturbation Theory
Lecture 3.7: Black Hole Perturbation Theory - I
Lecture 3.8: Black Hole Perturbation Theory - II
Lecture 3.9: Black Hole Perturbation Theory - III
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.
Stochastic Backgrounds
Lecture 3.10: Stochastic Gravitational Wave Sources and Detection
Tutorials
Stochastic Sources Tutorial
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.
Burst Sources
Lecture 3.11: Burst Sources - I
Lecture 3.12: Burst Sources - II
Tutorials
Burst Sources Tutorial
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.
Continuous Sources
Lecture 3.13: Continuous Sources
Tutorials
Continuous Sources Tutorial
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.
04Data Analysis▼
Lectures
Lecture 4.1: Data Analysis - I
Lecture 4.2: Data Analysis - II
Lecture 4.3: Data Analysis - III
Lecture 4.4: Data Analysis - IV
Lecture 4.5: Gravitational Wave Searches
Tutorials
Data Analysis Tutorial - I
Data Analysis Tutorial - II
Data Analysis Tutorial - III
Data Analysis Tutorial - IV
Data Analysis Tutorial - V
Tutorial Materials
Question sheets, Python & Mathematica notebooks, and datasets for this tutorial.