Inferring the spin distribution of binary black holes using deep learning

Abstract

Abstract The spin characteristics of black holes offer valuable insights into the evolutionary pathways of their progenitor stars. This is crucial for understanding the broader population properties of black holes. Traditional hierarchical Bayesian inference techniques employed to discern these properties often demand substantial time, and consensus regarding the spin distribution of binary black hole (BBH) systems remains elusive. In this study, leveraging observations from GWTC-3, we adopted a machine learning approach to infer the spin distribution of black holes within BBH systems. Specifically, we developed a deep neural network (DNN) and trained it using data generated from a Beta distribution. Our training strategy, involving the segregation of data into 10 bins, not only expedites model training but also enhances the versatility and adaptability of the DNN to accommodate the growing volume of gravitational wave observations. Utilizing Monte Carlo-bootstrap (MC-bootstrap) to generate observation-simulated samples, we derived spin distribution parameters: for the larger BH sample and for the smaller BH sample. Within our constraints, the distributions of component spin magnitudes suggest the likelihood of both black holes in the BBH merger possessing non-zero spin.