PPTA Collaboration Science

Alongside projects where I lead or perform a focused search, I contribute to broader Parkes Pulsar Timing Array science through pulsar observations and manuscript review.

RoleObservations & review
CollaborationPPTA
Period2025–2026

Supermassive binaries at cosmic dawn

Chen et al. (2026) introduces a redshift-aware continuous-wave framework for using pulsar timing arrays beyond the local Universe. Applied to PPTA DR3, the study constrains possible binaries in the quasar J0100+2802 and the galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0, and shows how a small set of accurately located pulsars could improve high-redshift source localisation by more than an order of magnitude.

Targeted eccentric binaries

Zhao et al. (2026) searched the PPTA DR3 for eccentric supermassive binary black holes in OJ 287 and five nearby galaxy-cluster directions. No signal was found; the analysis instead constrained the binary masses and mass ratios allowed in these systems.

Anisotropy in the gravitational-wave background

Chen et al. (2026) searched for directional structure in the nanohertz gravitational-wave background. The analysis found no statistically significant anisotropy; its most prominent hotspot was consistent with a noise fluctuation.

Frequency- and phase-resolved polarimetry

Curyło et al. (2026) developed full-Stokes, frequency-dependent pulse templates for precision timing. Applied to Parkes ultra-wideband observations, the method improved timing uncertainties by as much as 20–30% for some pulsars.

My contribution across these studies: I helped obtain PPTA observations and contributed to review of the analyses and manuscripts.