Searches for sub-solar mass ultracompact objects with Advanced LIGO

ORAL

Abstract

The recent observations of stellar mass black hole binaries by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo have revived interest in the possibility of sub-solar mass ultracompact objects. Due to the lack of knowledge surrounding the composition of sub-solar mass ultracompact objects, they have long been of interest as a potential dark matter candidate. Since astrophysical processes are not expected to produce ultracompact objects below one solar mass, the detection of such an object could be an indication of new physics. We aim to test this theory by conducting an Advanced LIGO search for sub-solar mass binaries. We describe the effects that signal frequency, black hole mass, and spin have on the computational difficulty of the search. The results of this work have been implemented in Advanced LIGO sub-solar mass searches.

*Funding for this project was provided by the Charles E. Kaufman Foundation of The Pittsburgh Foundation.

Authors

  • Phoebe McClincy

    • Pennsylvania State University
  • Ryan Magee

    • Pennsylvania State University
  • Anne-Sylvie Deutsch

    • Pennsylvania State University
  • Chad Hanna

    • Pennsylvania State University
  • Christian Horst

    • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • Duncan Meacher

    • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • Cody Messick

    • Pennsylvania State University
  • Sarah Shandera

    • Pennsylvania State University
  • Madeline Wade

    • Kenyon College