Low-latency detection and localization of gravitational waves from compact binary coalescences

Following the first direct detection of gravitational waves by LIGO, the next breakthrough could be joint observations with electromagnetic emissions. This thesis presents the scientific motivation and development of a new low-latency binary merger gravitational wave detect ion pipeline to help facilitate capture of prompt electromagnetic emissions. This new development includes the exploration of coherent information from different detectors, a novel significance evaluation method for gravitational wave signals, and computational acceleration using Graphics Processing Units. This thesis reports on the pipeline performance using realistic data, and also reports on a preliminary online search result during the first Advanced LIGO science run.