Searches for continuous gravitational waves from Scorpius X-1 and XTE J1751-305 in LIGO's sixth science run

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for continuous gravitational waves from Sco X-1 and XTE J1751-305 using LIGO data, setting new upper limits on gravitational-wave emission and demonstrating the TwoSpect method's effectiveness.

Contribution

The study applies the TwoSpect algorithm to LIGO data to set the first upper limits on r-mode gravitational-wave emission from XTE J1751-305.

Findings

No gravitational wave detections were made.

Upper limits on strain amplitude were established, reaching approximately 1.8 x 10^-24 at 165 Hz.

The TwoSpect method proved effective for future advanced detector searches.

Abstract

Scorpius X-1 (Sco X-1) and X-ray transient (XTE) J1751-305 are Low-Mass X-ray Binaries (LMXBs) that may emit continuous gravitational waves detectable in the band of ground-based interferometric observatories. Neutron stars in LMXBs could reach a torque-balance steady-state equilibrium in which angular momentum addition from infalling matter from the binary companion is balanced by angular momentum loss, conceivably due to gravitational-wave emission. Torque-balance predicts a scale for detectable gravitational-wave strain based on observed X-ray flux. This paper describes a search for Sco X-1 and XTE J1751-305 in LIGO Science Run 6 data using the TwoSpect algorithm, based on searching for orbital modulations in the frequency domain. While no detections are claimed, upper limits on continuous gravitational-wave emission from Sco X-1 are obtained, spanning gravitational-wave frequencies from 40 to 2040 Hz and projected semi-major axes from 0.90 to 1.98 light-seconds. These upper limits are injection validated, equal any previous set in initial LIGO data, and extend over a broader parameter range. At optimal strain sensitivity, achieved at 165 Hz, the 95% confidence level random-polarization upper limit on dimensionless strain $h_0$ is approximately $1.8 \times 10^{-24}$. Closest approach to the torque-balance limit, within a factor of 27, is also at 165 Hz. These are the first upper limits known to date on $r$-mode emission from this XTE source. Upper limits are set in particular narrow frequency bands of interest for J1751-305. The TwoSpect method will be used in upcoming searches of Advanced LIGO and Virgo data.