MBTA is a low-latency gravitational-wave (GW) detection pipeline designed to identify signals from compact binary coalescences (CBCs), such as binary neutron star (BNS), binary black hole (BBH), and neutron star–black hole (NSBH) mergers. It focuses on speed and computational efficiency, enabling rapid detection and alert generation for electromagnetic (EM) follow-up in multi-messenger astrophysics.
Key Features
Low-Latency Detection
MBTA is optimized for real-time searches. It can identify GW signals and generate alerts within minutes of data acquisition, making it suitable for initiating prompt EM or neutrino observations.
Multi-Band Matched Filtering
To reduce computational cost while preserving sensitivity, MBTA splits the frequency range of the gravitational-wave signal into multiple bands and applies matched filtering separately in each band. This approach retains high detection efficiency with significantly faster processing.
Template Bank Searches
Uses precomputed banks of theoretical waveforms to match incoming data against possible CBC signals. MBTA is sensitive to a wide range of masses and spins and is particularly well-suited for detecting BNS systems due to their lower masses and longer signal durations.
Trigger Generation and Ranking
Identifies candidate events based on matched filter outputs and applies signal-consistency tests to reduce false alarms. Triggers are ranked based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), chi-squared tests, and network coincidence.
Multi-Detector Coincidence Analysis
Combines data from multiple detectors (e.g., LIGO, Virgo, KAGRA) to verify consistency in signal time, phase, and SNR, helping confirm astrophysical origin and reject noise artifacts.
Sky Localization Interface
Once a candidate is identified, MBTA interfaces with rapid localization tools (e.g., BAYESTAR) to produce sky maps, guiding EM follow-up telescopes toward likely source regions.
Integration with Alert Systems
MBTA is part of the global low-latency alert infrastructure. It contributes to generating public and private alerts through the Gravitational-Wave Candidate Event Database (GraceDB) and the Gamma-ray Coordinates Network (GCN).
Use Case
MBTA is primarily used for:
- Real-time detection of gravitational waves from compact binary mergers.
- Prompt generation of alerts to enable rapid EM counterpart searches.
- Supporting multi-messenger observational campaigns involving telescopes, satellites, and neutrino observatories.
It is especially valuable during observing runs when low-latency responsiveness is critical for capturing short-lived EM counterparts such as gamma-ray bursts or early kilonova emission.
MBTA is a fast and efficient gravitational-wave search pipeline tailored for real-time operations. Its multi-band approach and rapid alert capabilities make it a key component of the global effort to detect and study compact binary mergers in the era of multi-messenger astronomy.
link: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6382/abe913