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Free keywords:
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, gr-qc,Astrophysics, astro-ph
Abstract:
The LISA Parameter Estimation (LISAPE) Taskforce was formed in September 2007
to provide the LISA Project with vetted codes, source distribution models, and
results related to parameter estimation. The Taskforce's goal is to be able to
quickly calculate the impact of any mission design changes on LISA's science
capabilities, based on reasonable estimates of the distribution of
astrophysical sources in the universe. This paper describes our Taskforce's
work on massive black-hole binaries (MBHBs). Given present uncertainties in the
formation history of MBHBs, we adopt four different population models, based on
(i) whether the initial black-hole seeds are small or large, and (ii) whether
accretion is efficient or inefficient at spinning up the holes. We compare four
largely independent codes for calculating LISA's parameter-estimation
capabilities. All codes are based on the Fisher-matrix approximation, but in
the past they used somewhat different signal models, source parametrizations
and noise curves. We show that once these differences are removed, the four
codes give results in extremely close agreement with each other. Using a code
that includes both spin precession and higher harmonics in the
gravitational-wave signal, we carry out Monte Carlo simulations and determine
the number of events that can be detected and accurately localized in our four
population models.
