First steps towards characterizing the hierarchical algorithm for curves and ridges pipeline

The hierarchical algorithm for curves and ridges is a variation of the burst gravitational wave search algorithm known as TFClusters. In this paper, we examine the detection efficiency of the hierarchical algorithm for curves and ridges by injecting sine-Gaussian burst waveforms with four different central frequencies into data acquired by the GEO600 gravitational wave detector during the S1 run. The fluctuation of the output signal-to-noise ratios was observed to be ∼5% for frequencies above 1.5 kHz and at least 15% for frequencies below 1.5 kHz. The uncertainty in the estimation of the arrival time is found to be less than 0.05 s.