Searching for prompt signatures of nearby core-collapse supernovae by a joint analysis of neutrino and gravitational-wave data

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of combined gravitational-wave and neutrino data analysis to detect and study nearby supernovae, enhancing detection capabilities and understanding of supernova explosion mechanisms.

Contribution

It proposes a joint analysis framework for GW and neutrino data to improve detection sensitivity and coverage for nearby supernovae.

Findings

Current detectors can detect Galactic core-collapse supernovae.

Joint analysis lowers detection thresholds and increases detection range.

Enhanced collaboration improves chances of observing nearby supernovae.

Abstract

We discuss the science motivations and prospects for a joint analysis of gravitational-wave (GW) and low-energy neutrino data to search for prompt signals from nearby supernovae (SNe). Both gravitational-wave and low-energy neutrinos are expected to be produced in the innermost region of a core-collapse supernova, and a search for coincident signals would probe the processes which power a supernova explosion. It is estimated that the current generation of neutrino and gravitational-wave detectors would be sensitive to Galactic core-collapse supernovae, and would also be able to detect electromagnetically dark SNe. A joint GW-neutrino search would enable improvements to searches by way of lower detection thresholds, larger distance range, better live-time coverage by a network of GW and neutrino detectors, and increased significance of candidate detections. A close collaboration between the GW and neutrino communities for such a search will thus go far toward realizing a much sought-after astrophysics goal of detecting the next nearby supernova.