In this dissertation we study the applicability of different waveform models in
gravitational wave searches for comparable mass binary black holes. We determine
the domain of applicability of the computationally inexpensive closed form models,
and the same for the semi-analytic models that have been calibrated to Numerical
Relativity simulations (and are computationally more expensive). We further explore
the option of using hybrid waveforms, constructed by numerically stitching analytic
and numerical waveforms, as filters in gravitational wave detection searches. Beyond
matched-filtering, there is extensive processing of the filter output before a detection
candidate can be confirmed. We utilize recent results from Numerical Relativity to
study the ability of LIGO searches to make detections, using (recolored) detector data.
Lastly, we develop a waveform model, using recent self-force results, that captures
the complete binary coalescence process. The self-force formalism was developed in
the context of extreme mass-ratio binaries, and we successfully extend it to model
intermediate mass-ratios.
","abstract_html":"<p>In this dissertation we study the applicability of different waveform models in</p> <p>gravitational wave searches for comparable mass binary black holes. We determine</p> <p>the domain of applicability of the computationally inexpensive closed form models,</p> <p>and the same for the semi-analytic models that have been calibrated to Numerical</p> <p>Relativity simulations (and are computationally more expensive). We further explore</p> <p>the option of using hybrid waveforms, constructed by numerically stitching analytic</p> <p>and numerical waveforms, as filters in gravitational wave detection searches. Beyond</p> <p>matched-filtering, there is extensive processing of the filter output before a detection</p> <p>candidate can be confirmed. We utilize recent results from Numerical Relativity to</p> <p>study the ability of LIGO searches to make detections, using (recolored) detector data.</p> <p>Lastly, we develop a waveform model, using recent self-force results, that captures</p> <p>the complete binary coalescence process. The self-force formalism was developed in</p> <p>the context of extreme mass-ratio binaries, and we successfully extend it to model</p> <p>intermediate mass-ratios.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Kumar, Prayush"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)","degree_level":"Dissertation","degree_discipline":"Physics","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Duncan A. Brown"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2014,"date_issued":"2014-12-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2014-12-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:54:59Z","subjects":["Black holes","Gravitational waves","Gravity","LIGO","Numerical Relativity","post-Newtonian","Physical Sciences and Mathematics"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://surface.syr.edu/etd/173","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Duncan A. Brown"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Kumar, Prayush"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Physics"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Black holes","Gravitational waves","Gravity","LIGO","Numerical Relativity","post-Newtonian","Physical Sciences and Mathematics"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://surface.syr.edu/etd/173"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["In this dissertation we study the applicability of different waveform models in
gravitational wave searches for comparable mass binary black holes. We determine
the domain of applicability of the computationally inexpensive closed form models,
and the same for the semi-analytic models that have been calibrated to Numerical
Relativity simulations (and are computationally more expensive). We further explore
the option of using hybrid waveforms, constructed by numerically stitching analytic
and numerical waveforms, as filters in gravitational wave detection searches. Beyond
matched-filtering, there is extensive processing of the filter output before a detection
candidate can be confirmed. We utilize recent results from Numerical Relativity to
study the ability of LIGO searches to make detections, using (recolored) detector data.
Lastly, we develop a waveform model, using recent self-force results, that captures
the complete binary coalescence process. The self-force formalism was developed in
the context of extreme mass-ratio binaries, and we successfully extend it to model
intermediate mass-ratios.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Topics in Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Duncan A. Brown"],"dc:creator":["Kumar, Prayush"],"dc:description.abstract":["In this dissertation we study the applicability of different waveform models in
gravitational wave searches for comparable mass binary black holes. We determine
the domain of applicability of the computationally inexpensive closed form models,
and the same for the semi-analytic models that have been calibrated to Numerical
Relativity simulations (and are computationally more expensive). We further explore
the option of using hybrid waveforms, constructed by numerically stitching analytic
and numerical waveforms, as filters in gravitational wave detection searches. Beyond
matched-filtering, there is extensive processing of the filter output before a detection
candidate can be confirmed. We utilize recent results from Numerical Relativity to
study the ability of LIGO searches to make detections, using (recolored) detector data.
Lastly, we develop a waveform model, using recent self-force results, that captures
the complete binary coalescence process. The self-force formalism was developed in
the context of extreme mass-ratio binaries, and we successfully extend it to model
intermediate mass-ratios.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://surface.syr.edu/etd/173"],"dc:subject":["Black holes","Gravitational waves","Gravity","LIGO","Numerical Relativity","post-Newtonian","Physical Sciences and Mathematics"],"dc:title":["Topics in Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Physics"],"thesis:degree_level":["Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_name":["Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:54:59Z"}