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We introduce a semi-parametric model for the primary mass distribution ofbinary black holes (BBHs) observed with gravitational waves (GWs) that appliesa cubic-spline perturbation to a power law. We apply this model to the 46 BBHsincluded in the second gravitational wave transient catalog (GWTC-2). Thespline perturbation model recovers a consistent primary mass distribution withprevious results, corroborating the existence of a peak at $35\,M_\odot$($>97\%$ credibility) found with the \textsc{Powerlaw+Peak} model. The peakcould be the result pulsational pair-instability supernovae (PPISNe). Thespline perturbation model finds potential signs of additional features in theprimary mass distribution at lower masses similar to those previously reportedby Tiwari and Fairhurst (2021). However, with fluctuations due to small numberstatistics, the simpler \textsc{Powerlaw+Peak} and \textsc{BrokenPowerlaw}models are both still perfectly consistent with observations. Oursemi-parametric approach serves as a way to bridge the gap between parametricand non-parametric models to more accurately measure the BBH mass distribution.With larger catalogs we will be able to use this model to resolve possibleadditional features that could be used to perform cosmological measurements,and will build on our understanding of BBH formation, stellar evolution andnuclear astrophysics.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Semi-Parametric Modeling of LIGO-Virgos Binary Black Hole Mass Distribution