Improved search for galactic white-dwarf binaries in Mock LISA Data Challenge 1B using an {\cal F} -statistic template bank

Abstract

We report on our F-statistic search for white-dwarf binary signals in the Mock LISA Data Challenge 1B (MLDC1B). We focus in particular on the improvements in our search pipeline since MLDC1, namely refinements in the search pipeline and the use of a more accurate detector response (rigid adiabatic approximation). The search method employs a hierarchical templategrid-based exploration of the parameter space, using a coincidence step to distinguish between primary ('true') and secondary maxima, followed by a final (multi-TDI) 'zoom' stage to provide an accurate parameter estimation of the final candidates.