The optimal detection statistic for precessing black-hole binaries in gravitational wave data

As a part of the ongoing search for inspiraling black hole binaries in gravitational-waves data, we derive a scheme to obtain the optimal detection test-statistic (the evidence ratio) in a way that is efficient to compute both on the target signal and compute its exact properties using time-slides (time-shifting the detectors with respect to each other). This detection statistic, for the first time, includes the effects of both precession and high emission modes. Due to computational limitations, we employ the test for the 10^4 most promising candidates from the regular (fast) match-filtering pipeline. This is an improvement in both statistical significance and run-time compared to a previous scheme by the GW@IAS collaboration (Zackay et al. 2019). A key component of the new scheme is posterior probability estimation, commonly performed today by sampling algorithms (e.g. MCMC, Nested Samplers). Time permitting, we'll discuss recent developments in this area.