INTRHYGUE: Simulations of Hyperbolic Binary Black-Hole Mergers

INTRHYGUE is a new research effort that aims at developing complete gravitational-wave templates for the observation of intermediate mass-ratio and highly eccentric binary black hole mergers. Accurate templates for this class of mergers are missing although recent LIGO-Virgo observations point to their the possible astrophysical existance. Detections of these black hole mergers will be possible with future ground- and space-based experiments provided that detailed templates will be in place. The project combines high-precision data from $$(3+1)$$ ( 3 + 1 ) D numerical relativity simulations with a state-of-art effective-one-body analytical model for generic orbits. Simulations are performed with a novel numerical relativity code with pre-exascale capabilities. The data are employed to inform analytical, suitably resummed, expressions for the gravitational radiation reaction and the merger-ringdown waveforms. The initial focus of the project is the first systematic exploration of mergers from dynamical encounters (hyperbolic orbits). Such numerical relativity simulations have strengthen recent evidence that the signal GW190521 was originated by a dynamical capture of black holes.