15–19 Jun 2026
Dipartimento di Fisica G. Occhialini, Università Degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
Europe/Zurich timezone

samsara: A Continuous-Time Markov Chain Monte Carlo Sampler for Trans-Dimensional Bayesian Analysis

17 Jun 2026, 15:40
20m
Oral contribution Topical Session 4 - GW

Speaker

Gabriele Astorino (University of Pisa)

Description

Trans-dimensional Bayesian analysis requires determining the posterior distribution when the number of parameters is not fixed. In this talk, I will present an alternative approach to Reversible Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo and Simulation-Based Inference. Our method relies on the evolution of the parameter space through birth-death and mutation processes in a continuous-time framework. More specifically, the state is evolved according to Poisson dynamics with rates associated with each process. Such rates are constructed to satisfy the detailed balance conditions, ensuring the asymptotic convergence of the chain to the posterior distribution. We show that birth-death processes allow the sampler to explore the trans-dimensional parameter space in a very efficient way, because the rates adapt to the current value of the posterior. I will then present the algorithm we developed in Pisa for continuous-time Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling, samsara, and discuss a few test cases, including a preliminary application to the LISA Global Fit.

Parallel session Gravitational Waves from Binary Systems

Author

Gabriele Astorino (University of Pisa)

Co-authors

Dr Lorenzo Valbusa Dall'Armi (University of Pisa) Dr Riccardo Buscicchio (Università degli Studi MIlano-Bicocca) Mr Joachim Pomper (University of Pisa) Prof. Angelo Ricciardone (University of Pisa) Prof. Walter Del Pozzo (University of Pisa)

Presentation materials

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