Excluding Source Models with Multiple Astrophysical Observations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to exclude astrophysical source models by combining null detection data from multiple gravitational wave observations, demonstrated with supernovae examples.

Contribution

It presents a general framework for excluding source models using null GW detections across multiple events, enhancing confidence with combined data.

Findings

Method effectively excludes models with no GW detection

Combining multiple observations increases exclusion confidence

Applicable to various transient astrophysical sources

Abstract

We describe a general method to observationally exclude a theoretical model for gravitational wave (GW) emission from a transient astrophysical source (event) by using a null detection from a network of GW detectors. In the case of multiple astrophysical events with no GW detection, statements about individual events can be combined to increase the exclusion confidence. We frame and demonstrate the method using a population of hypothetical core collapse supernovae.