Memory Effect or Cosmic String? Classifying Gravitational-Wave Bursts with Bayesian Inference

Understand

A variety of gravitational-wave transient sources can be modeled in the Fourier domain using a power law.

• This simple power-law model provides a reasonable approximation for gravitational-wave bursts from cosmic string cusps, cosmic string kinks, and the memory effect.
• Each of these sources is described using a different spectral index.
• In this work, we simulate interferometer strain data with injections of power-law and memory bursts to demonstrate parameter estimation, signal detection, and model selection.