Can LIGO see compact binaries?

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the accuracy of 2PN gravitational wave templates for detecting inspiraling compact binaries with LIGO, suggesting they are sufficient for successful searches with advanced detectors.

Contribution

It demonstrates that 2PN templates are adequate for LIGO's search for compact binaries, supporting their use in gravitational wave detection.

Findings

2PN templates are sufficiently accurate for LIGO searches

Results support the use of these templates in advanced LIGO detectors

Analysis includes data from Caltech prototype and initial LIGO

Abstract

The probability that interferometric detectors such as LIGO and VIRGO will successfully detect inspiraling compact binaries depends in part on our knowledge of the expected gravitational wave forms. The best approximations to the true wave forms available today are the post-Newtonian (PN) templates. In this paper we argue that these 2PN templates are accurate enough for a successful search for compact binaries with the advanced LIGO interferometer. Results are presented for the 40-meter Caltech prototype as well as for the inital and advance LIGO detectors.