Date of Award
1-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College/School
College of Science and Mathematics
Department/Program
Mathematics
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Marc Favata
Committee Member
Shaon Ghosh
Committee Member
Bogdan Nita
Abstract
Accurate gravitational wave parameter estimation relies on waveform models that capture the physics of compact-object mergers. One commonly used waveform model is the analytic, frequency-domain TaylorF2 model. It uses post-Newtonian (PN) corrections to approximate general relativity via a series expansion in powers of the relative orbital speed v. A common convention applied to this waveform is to redefine a phase constant ψ0 to absorb a frequency-independent (but mass and spin dependent) term that corrects the waveform phasing at relative order O(v⁵) or 2.5PN order. The effect of this choice on parameter estimation has not previously been considered. This work quantifies the systematic bias induced by absorbing this 2.5PN term. This is done using an analytic Fisher information-based formalism, as well as with fully numerical Bayesian inference-based parameter estimation. A range of binary neutron star, binary black hole, and neutron star/black hole systems, observed with the LIGO network and Cosmic Explorer (a planned third-generation detector), are considered. Results show that absorbing the 2.5PN term can introduce a parameter bias of order the ±1σ statistical error. While this effect can be masked if one considers many random noise realizations, real gravitational wave observations correspond to a single, unique noise realization, making the absorption-induced bias potentially significant for individual events.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Giarratana, Michael, "The Effect of Waveform Conventions on Gravitational-Wave Parameter Estimation" (2026). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1622.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1622