GRB-triggered searches for gravitational waves in LIGO data

TL;DR

This paper reports on LIGO's recent data collection and a search for gravitational waves associated with a gamma-ray burst, concluding no signals were detected but setting constraints on binary mergers in M31.

Contribution

It presents the first search for gravitational waves coincident with a gamma-ray burst using LIGO data from its most sensitive science run.

Findings

No gravitational wave signals detected

Binary merger in M31 excluded at 99% confidence

Demonstrates the sensitivity of LIGO during the science run

Abstract

The LIGO gravitational wave detectors have recently reached their design sensitivity and finished a two-year science run. During this period one year of data with unprecedented sensitivity has been collected. I will briefly describe the status of the LIGO detectors and the overall quality of the most recent science run. I also will present results of a search for inspiral waveforms in gravitational wave data coincident with the short gamma ray burst detected on 1st February 2007, with its sky location error box overlapping a spiral arms of M31. No gravitational wave signals were detected and a binary merger in M31 can be excluded at the 99% confidence level.