How photon astronomy affects searches for continuous gravitational waves

TL;DR

Photon astronomy enhances the sensitivity and interpretation of continuous gravitational wave searches by informing target selection, setting sensitivity benchmarks, and guiding astrophysical models, thereby advancing GW astronomy.

Contribution

The paper clarifies how photon astronomy influences GW search strategies, sensitivity milestones, and interpretation, highlighting the collaborative role of photon and GW observations.

Findings

Photon astronomy informs GW search targets and sensitivity goals.

Indirect limits from photon data guide GW search priorities.

Photon data helps interpret GW results within astrophysical models.

Abstract

Due to their computational limitations, searches for continuous gravitational waves (GW) are significantly more sensitive when informed by observational photon astronomy and theoretical astrophysics. Indirect upper limits on GW emission inferred from photon astronomy indicate which objects are more interesting for GW searches, and also set sensitivity milestones which GW searches need to beat to be considered GW astronomy. How GW results are interpreted depends on previous indirect limits and the theory of astrophysical GW emission mechanisms. I describe the interplay between these issues for the four types of continuous GW search, and show how photon astronomers can help the growing field of GW astronomy now and in the near future.