# Astrophysical science metrics for next-generation gravitational-wave detectors

## TL;DR

This paper proposes astrophysical performance metrics for third-generation gravitational-wave detectors and evaluates how different design choices impact scientific outcomes, aiding optimal detector development.

## Contribution

It introduces a set of astrophysically motivated metrics and provides a quantitative analysis of design trade-offs for next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.

## Key findings

- Metrics effectively evaluate detector performance.
- Design choices significantly influence scientific potential.
- Quantitative cost-benefit analysis guides detector optimization.

## Abstract

The second generation of gravitational-wave detectors are being built and tuned all over the world. The detection of signals from binary black holes is beginning to fulfill the promise of gravitational-wave astronomy. In this work, we examine several possible configurations for third-generation laser interferometers in existing km-scale facilities. We propose a set of astrophysically motivated metrics to evaluate detector performance. We measure the impact of detector design choices against these metrics, providing a quantitative cost-benefit analyses of the resulting scientific payoffs.