Gravitational-wave data analysis overview of compact binary searches using waveforms inspired by numerical relativity

Abstract

Binary black holes with total masses between ∼20 and 200 M⊙ require numerical relativity to describe the detectable signal in ground-based, gravitational-wave detectors. The time–frequency properties of the signals suggest that both modeled, matched filter searches and unmodeled, burst searches can expect to detect high mass binary signals. This paper presents a comparison of a matched filter pipeline and two unmodeled burst pipelines on the inspiral, merger and ring-down phases of compact binary coalescence by evaluating the sensitivity to binaries with total masses between 25 and 100 M⊙ at a fixed false alarm rate. All three algorithms provided an average range of ∼250 Mpc for a 50,50 M⊙ binary at 10−7 Hz false alarm rate.