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Enhancing gravitational-wave detection: a machine learning pipeline combination approach with robust uncertainty quantification

Enhancing gravitational-wave detection: a machine learning pipeline combination approach with robust uncertainty quantification
Enhancing gravitational-wave detection: a machine learning pipeline combination approach with robust uncertainty quantification

Gravitational-wave data from advanced-era interferometric detectors consists of background Gaussian noise, frequent transient artifacts, and rare astrophysical signals. Multiple search algorithms exist to detect the signals from compact binary coalescences, but their varying performance complicates interpretation. We present a machine-learning-driven approach that combines results from individual pipelines and utilizes conformal prediction to provide robust, calibrated uncertainty quantification. Using simulations, we demonstrate improved detection efficiency and apply our model to GWTC-3, enhancing confidence in multipipeline detections, such as the subthreshold binary neutron star candidate GW200311_103121.

1079-7114
Ashton, Gregory
a8cec4b1-3c98-4b28-af2a-1e37cb3b9f2a
Malz, Ann-Kristin
9f72b997-5d91-4a82-acdf-a67747ed7e73
Colombo, Nicolo
1a85d51e-357f-48b7-b7be-ce36aeebf535
Ashton, Gregory
a8cec4b1-3c98-4b28-af2a-1e37cb3b9f2a
Malz, Ann-Kristin
9f72b997-5d91-4a82-acdf-a67747ed7e73
Colombo, Nicolo
1a85d51e-357f-48b7-b7be-ce36aeebf535

Ashton, Gregory, Malz, Ann-Kristin and Colombo, Nicolo (2026) Enhancing gravitational-wave detection: a machine learning pipeline combination approach with robust uncertainty quantification. Physical Review Letters, 136 (1), [011402]. (doi:10.1103/yfb3-fgf2).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Gravitational-wave data from advanced-era interferometric detectors consists of background Gaussian noise, frequent transient artifacts, and rare astrophysical signals. Multiple search algorithms exist to detect the signals from compact binary coalescences, but their varying performance complicates interpretation. We present a machine-learning-driven approach that combines results from individual pipelines and utilizes conformal prediction to provide robust, calibrated uncertainty quantification. Using simulations, we demonstrate improved detection efficiency and apply our model to GWTC-3, enhancing confidence in multipipeline detections, such as the subthreshold binary neutron star candidate GW200311_103121.

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Accepted/In Press date: 4 December 2025
Published date: 8 January 2026

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 508310
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508310
ISSN: 1079-7114
PURE UUID: b5c60736-d9ba-49cf-bb30-dd502289cf6c
ORCID for Gregory Ashton: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7288-2231

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Date deposited: 16 Jan 2026 17:42
Last modified: 17 Jan 2026 03:47

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Contributors

Author: Gregory Ashton ORCID iD
Author: Ann-Kristin Malz
Author: Nicolo Colombo

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