Parameter estimation for compact binaries with ground-based gravitational-wave observations using the LALInference software library

The Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave (GW) detectors will begin operation in the coming years, with compact binary coalescence events a likely source for the first detections. The gravitational waveforms emitted directly encode information about the sources, including the masses and spins of the compact objects. Recovering the physical parameters of the sources from the GW observations is a key analysis task. This work describes the LALInference software library for Bayesian parameter estimation of compact binary signals, which builds on several previous methods to provide a well-tested toolkit which has already been used for several studies. We show that our implementation is able to…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1307020, 0757058, PHY-0923409, PHY-0600953, PHY-0757058, PHY-0970074, 1307429, PHY-1307020, 0970074, DGE 1144152, 0923409, PHY-1204371, 0600953, PHY-1307429, 1204371, 1144152
• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• OR
  Oak Ridge Associated Universities
• MI
  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Award: PHY-0757058
• CI
  California Institute of Technology
• LT
  Leverhulme Trust
• RS
  Royal Society
• CU
  Cardiff University
• SV
  Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie
• NO
  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
• IN
  Isaac Newton Trust
• GS
  Goddard Space Flight Center
• SA
  Science and Technology Facilities Council

  Awards: ST/K005014/1, ST/L000946/1, ST/I006269/1, ST/K005014/1, ST/L000946/1, ST/K000845/1