Search for gravitational waves associated with Gamma-ray bursts during the second Advanced LIGO-Virgo observing run

Abstract

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are one of the most violent phenomena in the universe. They are generally divided into two categories: short-duration bursts created by a collision of two compact sources such as binary neutron stars; and long-duration bursts that are powered by the core collapse of rapidly rotating massive stars. We expect GRBs to be intrinsically linked to gravitational-wave (GW) emission, providing an opportunity for multimessenger astronomy. In this talk, I will present results from targeted GW searches associated with GRBs during the second Advanced LIGO-Virgo observing run. We have analyzed 42 (98) GRBs with modeled (unmodeled) searches and found no candidates other than GW170817. I will briefly discuss the case of GW170817-GRB170817A, as well as results for non-detections: analysis of subthreshold GRB population and lower bounds on the median source distance for various scenarios of GW emission. Finally, I will discuss the implications of these results for source rates and future observing runs.

Date
Jul 3, 2019
Location
Lancaster, United Kingdom
Avatar
Ronaldas Macas
Data Scientist

Applying my experience in gravitational-wave astronomy and machine learning to data science problems.