PyFstat: a Python package for continuous gravitational-wave data analysis

TL;DR

PyFstat is a Python package that simplifies and enhances the analysis of continuous gravitational-wave data, making existing methods more accessible and enabling new search strategies.

Contribution

It provides a modern Python interface to established CW analysis routines and introduces production-ready classes for advanced follow-up methods.

Findings

Facilitates easier access to LALSuite CW analysis tools.

Enables flexible design of new search strategies.

Supports MCMC-based follow-up of candidates.

Abstract

Gravitational waves in the sensitivity band of ground-based detectors can be emitted by a number of astrophysical sources, including not only binary coalescences, but also individual spinning neutron stars. The most promising signals from such sources, although not yet detected, are long-lasting, quasi-monochromatic Continuous Waves (CWs). The PyFstat package provides tools to perform a range of CW data-analysis tasks. It revolves around the F-statistic, a matched-filter detection statistic for CW signals that has been one of the standard methods for LIGO-Virgo CW searches for two decades. PyFstat is built on top of established routines in LALSuite but through its more modern Python interface it enables a flexible approach to designing new search strategies. Hence, it serves a dual function of (i) making LALSuite CW functionality more easily accessible through a Python interface, thus facilitating the new user experience and, for developers, the exploratory implementation of novel methods; and (ii) providing a set of production-ready search classes for use cases not yet covered by LALSuite itself, most notably for MCMC-based followup of promising candidates from wide-parameter-space searches.