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arXiv · 2503.22504

Generalized parameter-space metrics for continuous gravitational-wave searches

P. B. Covas·R. Prix
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Abstract

Many searches for continuous gravitational waves face significant computational challenges due to the need to explore large parameter spaces characterized by unknown parameters. Parameter-space metrics are used to predict the relative loss of signal power when the searched parameters differ from the true signal parameters. In this paper we present generalized parameter-space metrics for the $\mathcal{F}$-statistic (a detection statistic used in many searches) that improve upon previous idealized metrics by incorporating realistic effects such as data gaps and varying noise floors. We derive a new marginalized $\mathcal{F}$-statistic metric that is more accurate than the previous averaged $\mathcal{F}$-statistic metric, especially for short coherent segments. We also derive a more accurate semi-coherent metric that properly accounts for the signal-power variability over segments. We provide numerical tests illustrating that the new generalized metrics provide more accurate mismatch predictions than previous expressions. More accurate metrics can result in a reduced number of templates needed for a given search, a feature that could improve the sensitivity of future searches.

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P. B. Covas, R. Prix. 2025-03-28. Generalized parameter-space metrics for continuous gravitational-wave searches. https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.22504

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