RUI: Searching for Gamma-Ray Burst and Fast Radio Burst Counterparts in LIGO Gravitational Wave Data

Christopher Newport University, Newport News VA

Investigators

Abstract

Starting with the initial detection of gravitational waves (GW) from a binary black hole merger, and now continuing with the first detection of GWs from a binary neutron star merger associated with a gamma-ray burst (GRB), the era of true GW astronomy has begun. The detection of GWs from the binary neutron star merger, GW170817, when combined with the coincident GRB detection, GRB 170817A, and the electromagnetic follow-up campaign that discovered associated afterglows across the electromagnetic spectrum, has had a significant impact on the understanding of the progenitors of short GRBs, kilonovae, and the equation of state of neutron stars. This collection of observations and discoveries has demonstrated the capabilities of multi-messenger astronomy with the addition GWs. These successes of the first and second Observing Runs of The Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and the French-Italian Virgo detector are now being expanded upon, as these detectors began observing the universe at sensitivities never before achieved in their third Observing Run, starting in April of 2019. This award will support the search for GWs associated with new GRB events, for which only one coincident detection has so far been made. The award will also support the search for GWs associated with fast radio bursts (FRB), which are extremely short-lived and extremely energetic bursts radio waves first detected by radio telescopes in 2007. The progenitors of FRBs are completely unknown, and many astronomers are actively trying to detect more of these events to learn what might cause them. Any detection of a GW associated with a FRB would result in a significant increase in the understanding of the astrophysical origin of these mysterious events. The award will support the development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce through the training of undergraduate and masters students to become competent scientific researchers able to conduct research at the internationally recognized level as the next generation of gravitational-wave astronomers. As was demonstrated with the multi-messenger observations of GW170817, combined detections of GWs with electromagnetic detections have significantly advanced the understanding of astrophysics of high-energy events. This award will support the search for GWs associated with GRBs using a coherent, matched-filter search for compact binary coalescence sources. These searches will be conducted in response to announced GRB detections, and any GWs detected will be announced to the astronomical community for prompt follow-up. This search extends the effective sensitivity of the GW detection network beyond that of an all-sky search by using the information provided by the external trigger's sky location. Additional detections of GWs associated with GRBs in the third and fourth observing runs of LIGO and complimentary Virgo data will enable the astrophysical properties of neutron stars to be better constrained. Additionally, the full electromagnetic emission model for these binary neutron star merger sources will be refined with future multi-messenger observations. This award will also support the coherent, template-based search for GWs associated with fast radio bursts (FRB). Currently, the models of FRB progenitors are poorly constrained, and very few candidate progenitor sources have been eliminated due to a combination of the paucity of bursts detected thus far and a lack of multispectral observations. If a GW were detected with a template-based search in LIGO and Virgo data and found to be associated with a FRB, this would immediately indicate that the source of FRBs are binary neutron star mergers or neutron star-black hole mergers. At the same time, if no coincident detections are made in this search, this will better constrain models of the FRB progenitors. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.