The probability distribution of binary pulsar coalescence rates. I. Double neutron star systems in the Galactic field

Estimates of the Galactic coalescence rate (R) of close binaries with two neutron stars (NS-NS) are known to be uncertain by large factors (about 2 orders of magnitude) mainly because of the small number of systems detected as binary radio pulsars. We present an analysis method that allows us to estimate the Galactic NS-NS coalescence rate using the current observed sample and, importantly, to assign a statistical significance to these estimates and calculate the allowed ranges of values at various confidence levels. The method involves the simulation of selection effects inherent in all relevant radio pulsar surveys and a Bayesian statistical analysis for the probability distribution of the rate. The most likely values for the total Galactic coalescence rate (R-peak) lie in the range 2-60 Myr(-1) depending on different pulsar population models. For our reference model 1, in which the most likely estimates of pulsar population properties are adopted, we obtain R-tot = 8(-5)(+9) Myr(-1) at a 68% statistical confidence level. The corresponding ranges of expected detection rates of NS-NS inspiral are 3(-2)(+4) x 10(-3) yr(-1) for the initial LIGO and 18(-11)(+21) yr(-1) for the advanced LIGO.