Gravitational-wave detection rates for compact binaries formed in isolation: LIGO/Virgo O3 and beyond

Abstract

Using simulations performed with the population synthesis code mobse, we compute the merger rate densities and detection rates of compact binary mergers formed in isolation for second- and third-generation gravitational wave detectors. We estimate how rates are affected by uncertainties on key stellar physics parameters, namely common envelope evolution and natal kicks. We estimate how future upgrades will increase the size of the available catalog of merger events, and we discuss features of the merger rate density that will become accessible with third-generation detectors.