Parameter estimation for compact binary coalescence signals with the first generation gravitational wave detector network

Document #:

LIGO-P1200021-v13

Document type:

P - Publications

Abstract:

Compact binary systems with neutron stars or black holes are one of the most promising sources for ground-based gravitational wave detectors. Gravitational radiation encodes rich information about source physics; thus parameter estimation and model selection are crucial analysis steps for any detection candidate events. Detailed models of the anticipated waveforms enable inference on several parameters, such as component masses, spins, sky location and distance that are essential for new astrophysical studies of these sources. However, accurate measurements of these parameters and discrimination of models describing the underlying physics are complicated by artifacts in the data, uncertainties in the waveform models and in the calibration of the detectors. Here we report such measurements on a selection of simulated signals added either in hardware or software to the data collected by the two LIGO instruments and the Virgo detector during their most recent joint science run, including a “blind injection” where the signal was not initially revealed to the collaboration. We exemplify the ability to extract information about the source physics on signals that cover the neutron star and black hole parameter space over the individual mass range 1 M⊙ − 25 M⊙ and the full range of spin parameters. The cases reported in this study provide a snap-shot of the status of parameter estimation in preparation for the operation of advanced detectors.

Files in Document:

• paper (s6pe.pdf, file is not accessible)

Other Files:

• Data files for the figures in section III.A.1. (section_III_A_1.zip, file is not accessible)
• Data files for the figures in section III.A.2. (section_III_A_2.zip, file is not accessible)
• Data files for the figures in section III.B.1. (section_III_B_1.zip, file is not accessible)
• Data files for the figures in section III.B.2. (section_III_B_2.zip, file is not accessible)
• Data files for the figures in section III.C. (section_III_C.zip, file is not accessible)
• Data files for the figures in section III.D. (section_III_D.zip, file is not accessible)

Topics:

• Compact Binaries
• Data Analysis

Author Groups:

• LVC

Keywords:

parameter estimation compact binary coalescence Bayesian

Publication Information:

arXiv posting:
http://arxiv.org/abs/1304.1775

Public science summary:
http://www.ligo.org/science/Publication-S6PE/index.php