RTModel

RTModel is a tool for microlensing event interpretation.


Keywords
Microlensing, analysis, and, fitting
License
GPL-3.0
Install
pip install RTModel==2.0

Documentation

RTModel

RTModel is a package for modeling and interpretation of microlensing events. It uses photometric time series collected from ground and/or space telescopes to propose one or more possible models among the following:

  • Single-lens-single-source microlensing (i.e. Paczynski)
  • Single-lens-binary-source microlensing (with or without xallarap)
  • Binary-lens-single-source microlensing (including planetary microlensing, parallax and orbital motion)

All models include the finite-size of the source(s).

The modeling strategy is based on a grid search in the parameter space for single-lens models, whereas a template library for binary-lens models is used including all possible geometries of the source trajectory with respect to the caustics. In addition to this global search, planets are searched where maximal deviations from a Paczynski model occurs.

The library is in the form of a standard Python package that launches specific subprocesses for different tasks. Model fitting is executed in parallel exploiting available processors in the machine. The full modeling may take from one to three hours depending on the event and on the machine speed. The results of modeling are given in the form of a text assessment file; in addition, final models are made available with their parameters and covariance matrices.

RTModel also includes a subpackage RTModel.plotmodel that allows an immediate visualization of models and the possibility to review each individual fitting process as an animated gif.

Attribution

A paper is in preparation describing all algorithms behind RTModel in detail. At the moment, any use of this code for scientific publications should be acknowledged by citing this GitHub repository.

Installation

The easiest way to install RTModel is through pip.

First clone this repository.

Then go to the repository directory and type

pip install .

Currently, RTModel works on Linux and Windows, requiring Python >= 3.6. A C++ compiler compatible with C++17 standard is needed for installation. RTModel also incorporates version 3.7 of VBBinaryLensing.

Documentation

Full documentation for the use of RTModel is available.

In the directory events we provide some microlensing data on which you may practise with RTModel.

A Jupyter notebook for quick start-up is also available in the jupyter folder.

License

RTModel is freely available to the community under the GNU Lesser General Public License Version 3 included in this repository.