Session B10: Gravitational Waves from Compact Binary Inspirals and Mergers

10:45 AM–12:21 PM, Saturday, April 12, 2008
Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront (formerly Adam's Mark Hotel), - St. Louis A

Sponsoring Units: GGR DAP
Chair: Duncan Brown, Syracuse University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2008.APR.B10.5

Abstract: B10.00005 : Properties and application of statistical methods to estimating compact binary merger rates.

11:33 AM–11:45 AM

Preview Abstract

Authors:

  Rahul Biswas
    (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

  Patrick Brady
    (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

  Jolien Creighton
    (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee)

  Stephen Fairhurst
    (Cardiff University)

The use of the loudest observed event to generate statistical statements about rate and strength has become standard in searches for gravitational waves from compact binaries and pulsars. The Bayesian formulation of the method is generalized to allow for uncertainties both in the background estimate and in the properties of the population being constrained. The method is also extended to allow rate interval construction. Finally, it is shown how to combine the results from multiple experiments and a comparison is drawn between the upper limit obtained in a single search and the upper limit obtained by combining the results of two experiments each of half the original duration.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2008.APR.B10.5