%0 Generic
%A Downing, Jonathan Michael Blake
%D 2009
%F heidok:10079
%K Globular clusters , Black Hole Binaries , Gravitational Waves , Monte Carlo Simulations
%R 10.11588/heidok.00010079
%T Compact Binary Populations in Globular Clusters and Prospects for Gravitational Wave Detection
%U https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/10079/
%X The inspiral and merger of compact binary stars will be major detection events for interferometric gravitational wave observatories.  These observatories operate most effectively by comparing their output to template waveforms.  In order to make these templates the physical parameters of the source population must be understood.  Compact binaries in the galactic field have been investigated using population synthesis models but in dense stellar environments interactions can alter the binary population and may enhance the merger rate. I study compact binaries in star clusters using a Monte Carlo model for the dynamics.  I find that the black hole population interacts strongly, leading to an enhancement in both the number of black hole binaries and the black hole binary merger rate.  Due to the high interaction rate the majority of black hole binaries are ejected and thus the mergers occur in the galactic field.  I find a promising rate of $1-100$ detections per year for the next generation of ground-based gravitational wave detectors and two possible sources for space-based detectors, both highly eccentric.  I conclude that star clusters must be taken into account in order to predict accurate event rates for gravitational wave detectors.