First Associated Neutrino Search for a Failed Supernova Candidate with Super-Kamiokande

TL;DR

This study searches for neutrinos from a failed supernova candidate in Andromeda using Super-Kamiokande data, setting upper limits on neutrino emission and constraining theoretical models despite no detection.

Contribution

It introduces a dedicated analysis method for failed supernova neutrino searches and applies it to a recent candidate, providing new constraints on neutrino emission models.

Findings

No significant neutrino excess detected

Upper limit of 1.76 x 10^{53} erg on neutrino luminosity

Constraints on the Shen-TM1 EOS model

Abstract

In 2024, a failed supernova candidate, M31-2014-DS1, was reported in the Andromeda galaxy (M31), located at a distance of approximately 770 kpc. In this paper, we search for neutrinos from this failed supernova using data from Super-Kamiokande (SK). Based on the estimated time of black hole formation inferred from optical and infrared observations, we define a search window for neutrino events in the SK data. Using this window, we develop a dedicated analysis method for failed supernovae and apply it to M31-2014-DS1, by conducting a cluster search using the timing and energy information of candidate events. No significant neutrino excess is observed within the search region. Consequently, we place an upper limit on the electron antineutrino luminosity from M31-2014-DS1 and discuss its implications for various failed SN models and their neutrino emission characteristics. Despite the 18 MeV threshold adopted to suppress backgrounds, the search remains sufficiently sensitive to constrain the Shen-TM1 EOS, yielding a 90% confidence level upper limit of 1.76 \times 10^{53} erg on the electron antineutrino luminosity, slightly above the expected value of 1.35 \times 10^{53} erg.