Non parametric constraints of gravitational-electromagnetic luminosity distance ratio

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new non-parametric method to constrain the ratio of gravitational wave to electromagnetic wave luminosity distances, enabling model-independent tests of gravity using binary black hole merger data.

Contribution

It develops a novel non-parametric approach for analyzing GW-EMW luminosity distance ratios, avoiding reliance on specific theoretical models.

Findings

Results are consistent with general relativity.

Method applied successfully to GWTC-3 data.

Joint analysis of cosmological and population parameters.

Abstract

The ratio between the gravitational waves (GW) and electromagnetic waves (EMW) luminosity distance ratio is a key observable that allows to test the nature of gravity, using gravitational waves emitted from compact binary coalescences. We develop a new non parametric method for constraining the GW-EMW distance ratio, in order to perform model independent analysis of observational data, not based on any specific theoretical of phenomenological assumption. We apply the method to the analysis of binary black hole mergers data from the GWTC-3 catalogue, performing a joint analysis of cosmological and population parameters. The results are consistent with general relativity and with previous analyses based on parametric methods.