PycWB: A User-friendly, Modular, and Python-based Framework for Gravitational Wave Unmodelled Search

TL;DR

PycWB is a new, user-friendly, modular Python framework that simplifies unmodelled gravitational wave searches and reconstruction, improving efficiency, flexibility, and integration with analysis tools.

Contribution

It introduces a Python-based, modular framework for unmodelled gravitational wave analysis, replacing complex C++ scripts with YAML configurations and enhancing usability and performance.

Findings

Enhanced user experience with YAML configuration

Improved modularity and dependency management

Facilitated parallel computation and visualization

Abstract

Unmodelled searches and reconstruction is a critical aspect of gravitational wave data analysis, requiring sophisticated software tools for robust data analysis. This paper introduces PycWB, a user-friendly and modular Python-based framework developed to enhance such analyses based on the widely used unmodelled search and reconstruction algorithm Coherent Wave Burst (cWB). The main features include a transition from C++ scripts to YAML format for user-defined parameters, improved modularity, and a shift from complex class-encapsulated algorithms to compartmentalized modules. The pycWB architecture facilitates efficient dependency management, better error-checking, and the use of parallel computation for performance enhancement. Moreover, the use of Python harnesses its rich library of packages, facilitating post-production analysis and visualization. The PycWB framework is designed to improve the user experience and accelerate the development of unmodelled gravitational wave analysis.