INTEGRAL Upper Limits on Gamma-Ray Emission Associated with the Gravitational Wave Event GW150914
Abstract
Using observations of the INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL), we place upper limits on the gamma-ray and hard X-ray prompt emission associated with the gravitational wave event GW150914, which was discovered by the LIGO/Virgo Collaboration. The omnidirectional view of the INTEGRAL/SPI-ACS has allowed us to constrain the fraction of energy emitted in the hard X-ray electromagnetic component for the full high-probability sky region of LIGO triggers. Our upper limits on the hard X-ray fluence at the time of the event range from {F}γ =2× {10}-8 erg cm-2 to {F}γ ={10}-6 erg cm-2 in the 75 keV-2 MeV energy range for typical spectral models. Our results constrain the ratio of the energy promptly released in gamma-rays in the direction of the observer to the gravitational wave energy E {}γ / E {}{GW}\lt {10}-6. We discuss the implication of gamma-ray limits for the characteristics of the gravitational wave source, based on the available predictions for prompt electromagnetic emission.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 2016
- DOI:
- 10.3847/2041-8205/820/2/L36
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1602.04180
- Bibcode:
- 2016ApJ...820L..36S
- Keywords:
-
- gamma-ray burst: general;
- gravitational waves;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- accepted for publication in ApJL