Matched Filtering and Convergence of Numerical Relativity Templates

Tremendous progress has been achieved recently towards the solution of the binary black hole problem. We are now in the position of quantifying the quality of the numerical relativity waveforms when used for data analysis. This paper presents a study that establishes a connection between the convergence of numerical waveforms and the matched filtering properties commonly used in data analysis. In particular, we focus attention on the impact of phase errors since these errors play a dominant role in simulations of binaries with large initial separations of the black holes. We also present a summary of our recent binary black hole evolutions.