Search for planetary-mass ultra-compact binaries using data from the first part of the LIGO--Virgo--KAGRA fourth observing run

TL;DR

This study searches for gravitational waves from planetary-mass ultra-compact binaries using LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data, setting constraints on their merger rates and primordial black hole mass distributions, with no detections found.

Contribution

First search for gravitational waves from planetary-mass ultra-compact binaries in the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data, establishing new constraints on their merger rates and primordial black hole distributions.

Findings

No evidence of such binaries was found.

Set upper limits on merger rate densities.

Constraints are consistent with microlensing results.

Abstract

We present a search for gravitational waves from inspiraling, planetary-mass ultra-compact binaries using data from the first part of the fourth observing run of LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA. Finding no evidence of such systems, we determine the maximum distance reach for such objects and their merger rate densities, independently of how they could have formed. Then, we identify classes of primordial black-hole mass distributions for which these rate limits can be translated into relevant constraints on the mass distribution of primordial black holes, assuming that they compose all of dark matter, in the mass range $[10^{-6},10^{-3}]M_\odot$. Our constraints are consistent with existing microlensing results in the planetary-mass range, and provide a complementary probe to sub-solar mass objects.