Systematic challenges for future gravitational wave measurements of precessing binary black holes

Williamson, A. R., Lange, J., O’Shaughnessy, R., Clark, J. A., Kumar, P., Calderón Bustillo, J. and Veitch, J. (2017) Systematic challenges for future gravitational wave measurements of precessing binary black holes. Physical Review D, 96(12), 124041. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevD.96.124041)

[img]
Preview
Text
156824.pdf - Accepted Version

2MB

Abstract

The properties of precessing, coalescing binary black holes are presently inferred through comparison with two approximate models of compact binary coalescence. In this work we show that these two models often disagree substantially when binaries have modestly large spins (a ≳ 0.4) and modest mass ratios (q ≳ 2). We demonstratethese disagreements using standard figures ofmeritandthe parametersinferred for recent detections of binary black holes. By comparing to numerical relativity, we confirm that these disagreements reflect systematic errors. We provide concrete examples to demonstrate that these systematic errors can significantly impact inferences about astrophysically significant binary parameters. For the immediate future, parameter inference for binary black holes should be performed with multiple models (including numerical relativity), and carefully validated by performing inference under controlled circumstances with similar synthetic events.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Veitch, Dr John
Authors: Williamson, A. R., Lange, J., O’Shaughnessy, R., Clark, J. A., Kumar, P., Calderón Bustillo, J., and Veitch, J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Research Centre:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
Journal Name:Physical Review D
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:2470-0010
ISSN (Online):2470-0029
Published Online:29 December 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 American Physical Society
First Published:First published in Physical Review D 96(12):124041
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher
Related URLs:

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record