Key Elements of Robustness in Binary Black Hole Evolutions using Spectral Methods

TL;DR

This paper details the key elements and optimization of the Spectral Einstein Code ({ t SpEC}) for simulating binary black hole evolutions, aiming to improve gravitational waveform modeling for detection and analysis.

Contribution

It introduces an optimized spectral adaptive mesh refinement algorithm tailored for binary black hole simulations in { t SpEC}.

Findings

Enhanced accuracy in binary black hole waveform simulations.

Improved efficiency of spectral adaptive mesh refinement.

Potential impact on gravitational wave detection and parameter estimation.

Abstract

As a network of advanced-era gravitational wave detectors is nearing its design sensitivity, efficient and accurate waveform modeling becomes more and more relevant. Understanding of the nature of the signal being sought can have an order unity effect on the event rates seen in these instruments. The paper provides a description of key elements of the Spectral Einstein Code ({\tt SpEC}), with details of our spectral adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) algorithm that has been optimized for binary black hole (BBH) evolutions. We expect that the gravitational waveform catalog produced by our code will have a central importance in both the detection and parameter estimation of gravitational waves in these instruments.