Model-independent inference on compact-binary observations

Mandel, I., Farr, W. M., Colonna, A., Stevenson, S., Tino, P. and Veitch, J. (2016) Model-independent inference on compact-binary observations. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 465(3), pp. 3254-3260. (doi: 10.1093/mnras/stw2883)

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Abstract

The recent advanced LIGO detections of gravitational waves from merging binary black holes enhance the prospect of exploring binary evolution via gravitational-wave observations of a population of compact-object binaries. In the face of uncertainty about binary formation models, model-independent inference provides an appealing alternative to comparisons between observed and modelled populations. We describe a procedure for clustering in the multidimensional parameter space of observations that are subject to significant measurement errors. We apply this procedure to a mock data set of population-synthesis predictions for the masses of merging compact binaries convolved with realistic measurement uncertainties, and demonstrate that we can accurately distinguish subpopulations of binary neutron stars, binary black holes, and mixed neutron star–black hole binaries with tens of observations.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:IM and WMF acknowledge partial financial support from STFC.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Veitch, Dr John
Authors: Mandel, I., Farr, W. M., Colonna, A., Stevenson, S., Tino, P., and Veitch, J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:0035-8711
ISSN (Online):1365-2966
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