Improving performance for gravitational-wave parameter inference with an efficient and highly-parallelized algorithm

Abstract

The rapid iterative fitting (RIFT) parameter inference algorithm provides a framework for efficient, highly parallelized parameter inference for GW sources. In this paper, we summarize essential algorithm enhancements and operating point choices for the RIFT iterative algorithm, including settings used for analysis of LIGO/Virgo O3 observations. We also describe other extensions to the RIFT algorithm and software ecosystem. Some extensions increase RIFT's flexibility to produce outputs pertinent to GW astrophysics. Other extensions increase its computational efficiency or stability. Using many randomly selected sources, we assess code robustness with two distinct code configurations, one designed to mimic settings as of LIGO/Virgo O3 and another employing several performance enhancements. We illustrate RIFT's capabilities with analysis of selected events.