Search for inspiralling binary events in the Virgo Engineering Run data

We report preliminary results of a search for inspiralling binary events, performed on data produced by the Virgo Central Interferometer during the Engineering 4 run. Given the limited sensitivity to gravitational waves, the goal was to test some of the analysis chain elements and their integration. The search method was the matched filtering, supplemented by a χ2 based method for the rejection of non-Gaussian events. The range of masses explored was [2–5] M⊙, while the frequency range considered was [24–1000] Hz. The algorithm was preliminarily tested on simulated data. On real E4 data, candidates were selected by the matched filter when the return SNR value was greater than 7; none of them survived the χ2 test. Further, it was possible to put in correspondence the candidates with precise external disturbances in the apparatus.