Detecting Neutron Star-Black Hole Mergers with Next Generation Ground-Based Gravitational-Wave Detectors

Gravitational-wave detections by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory have been pivotal in expanding our understanding of the universe. Though the detector has observed tens of exciting compact binary mergers since its inception, neutron star-black hole (NSBH) mergers have been elusive, with the first confident detection made as late as last year. This statistic is expected to improve with the proposed construction of new detectors and advancements in the current detectors. In this work, we explore the potential of the current networks and assess the science case of the next generation detectors for NSBH detections using the following metrics: network detection efficiency and detection rate as a function of redshift, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and the errors in measurement of intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, accuracy of sky-area measurement in relation to SNR and redshift, and enabling multimessenger astronomy with early-warning alerts.