Probing Early Universe Supercooled Phase Transitions with Gravitational Wave Data

TL;DR

This paper assesses the ability of current and future gravitational wave detectors to identify signals from early Universe supercooled phase transitions, constraining models and exploring detector sensitivities.

Contribution

It provides the first constraints on supercooled phase transition parameters using LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA data and evaluates future detector prospects.

Findings

Constraints on phase transition parameters derived from current data.

Bounds established on particle physics model parameters.

Projected sensitivity of third-generation detectors to supercooled transitions.

Abstract

We investigate the reach of the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA detectors in the search for signatures of first-order phase transitions in the early Universe. Utilising data from the first three observing runs, we derive constraints on the parameters of the underlying gravitational-wave background, focusing on transitions characterised by strong supercooling. As an application of our analysis, we determine bounds on the parameter space of two representative particle physics models. We also comment on the expected reach of third-generation detectors in probing supercooled phase transitions.