Search for GravitationalWaves from Low Mass Compact Binary Coalescence in 186 Days of LIGO’s Fifth Science Run

Document #:

LIGO-P0900009-v8

Document type:

P - Publications

Abstract:

We report on a search for gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries using LIGO observations
between November 14, 2006 and May 18, 2007. This search targeted binaries with total mass between 2 and 35 M_sun and a minimum component mass of 1 M_sun. No gravitational-wave signals were detected during our
observations. We place upper limits on the rate of compact binary coalescences per L_10 (10^10 times the blue
solar luminosity) as a function of mass. Assuming a compact binary object population with a Gaussian mass
distribution representing binary neutron star systems, binary black hole systems, and black hole-neutron star binary systems, we find the 90%-confidence upper limit on the rate of coalescences to be 1.4 x 10^-2 yr^-1 L_10^-1, 7.3 x 10^-4 yr^-1 L_10^-1 and 3.6 x 10^-3 yr^-1 L_10^-1 respectively.

Files in Document:

• s5-2yr-12to18-lowcbc-v8.pdf (958.2 kB)

Topics:

• Compact Binaries

Authors:

• David McKechan