English

GWDALI: A Fisher-matrix based software for gravitational wave parameter-estimation beyond Gaussian approximation

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2025-10-27 v1 Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics

Abstract

We introduce GWDALI, a new Fisher-matrix, python based software that computes likelihood gradients to forecast parameter-estimation precision of arbitrary network of terrestrial gravitational wave detectors observing compact binary coalescences. The main new feature with respect to analogous software is to assess parameter uncertainties beyond Fisher-matrix approximation, using the derivative approximation for Likelihood (DALI). The software makes optional use of the LSC algorithm library LAL and the stochastic sampling algorithm Bilby, which can be used to perform Monte-Carlo sampling of exact or approximate likelihood functions. As an example we show comparison of estimated precision measurement of selected astrophysical parameters for both the actual likelihood, and for a variety of its derivative approximations, which turn out particularly useful when the Fisher matrix is not invertible.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2307.10154,
  title  = {GWDALI: A Fisher-matrix based software for gravitational wave parameter-estimation beyond Gaussian approximation},
  author = {Josiel Mendonça Soares de Souza and Riccardo Sturani},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2307.10154},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

18 pages, 11 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T11:34:55.279Z