The Fifth RIT Catalog of Binary Black Hole Simulations: Multiple-Resolution Studies of Eccentric Orbits

Abstract

This fifth release of the RIT public catalog of numerical relativity binary black hole waveforms http://ccrg.rit.edu/~RITCatalog introduces an additional 248 configurations, prioritizing 197 newly simulated eccentric orbits. This update brings the catalog to a total of 2129 cases. All waveforms are corrected for center-of-mass drift and extrapolated to future null infinity. To rigorously estimate waveform errors, we conduct multiple-resolution convergence studies on 10 eccentric simulations (up to 33 orbits to merger) using three global resolutions increasing by factors of 1.2, plus a comprehensive six-resolution study for a single 18-orbit configuration. We evaluate waveform accuracy by computing mismatches against theoretical infinite-resolution extrapolations. Additionally, we analyze the convergence properties of key physical observables: merger times, number of orbits, final masses, final spins, recoil velocities, and the peak amplitude, frequency, and luminosity of the gravitational radiation.