On gravitational-wave echoes from neutron-star binary coalescences

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential detection of gravitational-wave echoes from neutron-star mergers, suggesting that if confirmed, such echoes could challenge existing neutron-star models and impact our understanding of nuclear physics and gravity.

Contribution

It highlights that echoes could originate from ultracompact neutron stars with radii near the Buchdahl limit, challenging current models if confirmed.

Findings

Echoes at ~72 Hz are compatible with ultracompact neutron star models.

Detected echoes could imply objects with radius close to the Buchdahl limit.

Low-frequency echoes would conflict with current neutron-star theories.

Abstract

A tentative detection of gravitational-wave echoes in the post-merger signal of GW170817 has been recently claimed at $4.2\sigma$ significance level. It has been speculated that the signal might provide evidence for near-horizon quantum structures in the remnant exotic object. We point out that if the remnant object is an ultracompact neutron star, echoes are expected for objects with radius only slightly smaller than that of an ordinary neutron star. The reported echoes at ~72 Hz are compatible with a toy model of incompressible star with mass approximately $M\in(2,3) M_\odot$ and radius close to the Buchdahl limit, R~9GM/(4c^2). If confirmed, low-frequency gravitational-wave echoes would be in tension with all current neutron-star models and would have dramatic implications for nuclear physics and gravity.