Characterize the selection function for eccentric CBC signals in quasi-circular template searches

Determine the selection function for eccentric compact binary coalescence gravitational-wave signals when analyzed with matched-filter search pipelines that employ only aligned-spin, quasi-circular templates, in order to quantify the detection bias against eccentric signals in LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA data.

Background

The paper notes that current matched-filter compact binary coalescence searches applied to gravitational-wave data use aligned-spin and quasi-circular templates. This implies a selection bias against signals with orbital eccentricity, since such signals are not well matched by the existing template banks.

The authors state that the selection function—i.e., the detection efficiency across parameter space—for eccentric systems under these search methods has not yet been adequately characterized. Clarifying this selection function is important for interpreting nondetections and for comparing astrophysical expectations for eccentric mergers against observational constraints.