Inference on neutron star parameters and the nuclear equation of state with RIFT, using prior EOS information

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new inference method using RIFT that incorporates prior nuclear EOS information to improve neutron star parameter estimation from gravitational wave data, demonstrated on GW170817.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel approach that integrates prior EOS knowledge into the RIFT inference engine, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in neutron star analysis.

Findings

Incorporating prior EOS information sharpens parameter constraints.

The method yields more rapid inference on gravitational wave events.

Application to GW170817 validates the approach's effectiveness.

Abstract

In this paper, we present an inference method for determining neutron star parameters and constraining the nuclear equation of state (EOS) using the RIFT parameter inference engine. We incorporate externally-produced prior information about the EOS to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the inference process. We apply this method to the GW170817 event and assess its performance. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of incorporating prior EOS information in the inference process, leading to sharper conclusions and more rapid inference on new detections. This approach has the potential to enhance our understanding of neutron stars and the nuclear EOS in future gravitational wave observations.