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arXiv · 1808.04772

Methods for the detection of gravitational waves from sub-solar mass ultracompact binaries

Ryan Magee·Anne-Sylvie Deutsch·Phoebe McClincy·Chad Hanna·Christian Horst·Duncan Meacher·Cody Messick·Sarah Shandera·Madeline Wade
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Abstract

We describe detection methods for extensions of gravitational wave searches to sub-solar mass compact binaries. Sub-solar mass searches were previously carried out using Initial LIGO, and Advanced LIGO boasts a detection volume approximately 1000 times bigger than Initial LIGO at design sensitivity. Low masses present computational difficulties, and we suggest a way to rein in the increase while retaining a sensitivity much greater than previous searches. Sub-solar mass compact objects are of particular interest because they are not expected to form astrophysically. If detected they could be evidence of primordial black holes (PBH). We consider a particular model of PBH binary formation that would allow LIGO/Virgo to place constraints on this population within the context of dark matter, and we demonstrate how to obtain conservative bounds for the upper limit on the dark matter fraction.

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Ryan Magee, Anne-Sylvie Deutsch, Phoebe McClincy, Chad Hanna, Christian Horst, Duncan Meacher, Cody Messick, Sarah Shandera, Madeline Wade. 2018-08-15. Methods for the detection of gravitational waves from sub-solar mass ultracompact binaries. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.98.103024

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