Exploring the Impact of Microlensing on Gravitational Wave Signals: Biases, Population Characteristics, and Prospects for Detection

Understand

In this study, we investigate the impact of microlensing on gravitational wave (GW) signals in the LIGO$-$Virgo sensitivity band.

• Microlensing caused by an isolated point lens, with (redshifted) mass ranging from $M_\mathrm{Lz}\in(1,10^5){\rm M}_\odot$ and impact parameter $y\in (0.01,~5)$, can result in a maximum mismatch of $\sim 30\%$ with their unlensed counterparts.
• When $y<1$, it strongly anti-correlates with the luminosity distance enhancing the detection horizon and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• Biases in inferred source parameters are assessed, with in-plane spin components being the most affected intrinsic parameters.