• binary stellar evolution
• merger rate evolution
• post-O5
• Virgo_nEXT
• compact binary coalescences
• gravitational-waves
• Advanced Virgo

This thesis presents the observational prospects for the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detector network in the next observing runs, with a focus on compact binary coalescences.
The results of this work are functional to design the upgrades of Advanced Virgo (Virgo_nEXT), in order to maximize the scientific outcome.
This work combines accurate astrophysical population synthesis models of compact binary systems with simulations of the expected gravitational wave signal from compact binaries.
First, we simulated the evolution of a population of binary stars over cosmic time and we selected the ones forming merging compact binaries of black holes and/or neutron stars. Then, we derived the distance of each merger, as well as the merger rate density for each type of compact binary. For each of these sources, the gravitational wave signal is simulated within the detectors included in the network and, as a consequence, the detection rates and the localization regions are computed.
The simulation pipeline is tested by reproducing the past observing run and comparing it with the observations done. Consequently, we simulate the next run and we make a comparison between two different configurations for Virgo_nEXT in order to derive their impact on the entire network detection and localization capabilities.