Second MAYA Catalog of Binary Black Hole Numerical Relativity Waveforms

TL;DR

This paper introduces the second MAYA catalog, adding 181 new binary black hole waveforms with diverse parameters, filling gaps in existing data, and validating their convergence and consistency with gravitational wave models.

Contribution

The paper presents a new, extensive catalog of 181 numerical relativity waveforms, including high mass ratio, precessing, and eccentric cases, enhancing resources for gravitational wave research.

Findings

Waveforms are convergent and reliable.

Catalog includes diverse binary black hole configurations.

Waveforms are consistent with current gravitational wave models.

Abstract

Numerical relativity waveforms are a critical resource in the quest to deepen our understanding of the dynamics of, and gravitational waves emitted from, merging binary systems. We present 181 new numerical relativity simulations as the second MAYA catalog of binary black hole waveforms (a sequel to the Georgia Tech waveform catalog). Most importantly, these include 55 high mass ratio (q >= 4), 48 precessing, and 92 eccentric (e > 0.01) simulations, including seven simulations which are both eccentric and precessing. With these significant additions, this new catalog fills in considerable gaps in existing public numerical relativity waveform catalogs. The waveforms presented in this catalog are shown to be convergent and are consistent with current gravitational wave models. They are available to the public at https://cgpstorage.ph.utexas.edu/waveforms.