Search for gravitational waves associated with 39 gamma-ray bursts using data from the second, third, and fourth LIGO runs

Abstract

We present the results of a search for short-duration gravitational-wave bursts associated with 39 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by gamma-ray satellite experiments during LIGO's S2, S3, and S4 science runs. The search involves calculating the crosscorrelation between two interferometer data streams surrounding the GRB trigger time. We search for associated gravitational radiation from single GRBs, and also apply statistical tests to search for a gravitational-wave signature associated with the whole sample. For the sample examined, we find no evidence for the association of gravitational radiation with GRBs, either on a single-GRB basis or on a statistical basis. Simulating gravitational-wave bursts with sine-Gaussian waveforms, we set upper limits on the root-sum-square of the gravitational-wave strain amplitude of such waveforms at the times of the GRB triggers. We also demonstrate how a sample of several GRBs can be used collectively to set constraints on population models. The small number of GRBs and the significant change in sensitivity of the detectors over the three runs, however, limits the usefulness of a population study for the S2, S3, and S4 runs. Finally, we discuss prospects for the search sensitivity for the ongoing S5 run, and beyond for the next generation of detectors.

Methods and results of a search for gravitational waves associated with gamma-ray bursts using the GEO 600, LIGO, and Virgo detectors

“…Previously, searches for GWs associated with GRBs were performed on approximately 500 GRBs which occurred during times when at least two of the LIGO and Virgo detectors were collecting data [17,18,[25][26][27]. Related analyses have searched for extended-duration GW signals associated with long GRBs [28], and for GWs arising from the oscillation of neutron star f-modes in magnetars and soft gamma-ray repeaters [29][30][31].…”

Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow Plateaus and Gravitational Waves: Multi-Messenger Signature of a Millisecond Magnetar?

“…A point of interest for current analyses that GW detectors are carrying out (see e.g., Acernese et al 2008a;Abbott et al 2008aAbbott et al , 2008b) is that the scenario described here involves a new class of GW signals, which should be searched for in coincidence with GRBs. These would have a longer duration (10 3 -10 4 s) and a different frequency evolution than the type of GW signals currently considered to be possibly associated with GRBs.…”

Search for Gravitational Waves Associated withγ-ray Bursts Detected by the Interplanetary Network

“…By making use of the known time and sky location of the observed GRB, it is possible to significantly reduce the parameters of the search and consequently improve the sensitivity over an all-sky, alltime search of the data. Several searches for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts have been performed in the past using data from both LIGO and Virgo detectors [23][24][25][26][27]. Indeed, the data from LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs (S5 and S6) and Virgo's first through third science runs (VSR1-3) were analyzed to search for gravitational wave signals associated with both short and long GRBs observed with the Swift BAT and Fermi GBM and LAT detectors [28][29][30].…”