Constraints on gravitational waves from the 2024 Vela pulsar glitch

TL;DR

This study searches for gravitational waves from the 2024 Vela pulsar glitch using LIGO data, setting new upper limits on gravitational strain and discussing implications for emission models.

Contribution

First direct observational upper limits on gravitational waves from a pulsar glitch, surpassing previous indirect estimates, and analysis of potential emission mechanisms.

Findings

No significant gravitational-wave signals detected.

Established stricter upper limits on strain amplitude.

Discussed implications for theoretical emission models.

Abstract

Among known neutron stars, the Vela pulsar is one of the best targets for gravitational-wave searches. It is also one of the most prolific in terms of glitches, sudden frequency changes in a pulsar's rotation. Such glitches could cause a variety of transient gravitational-wave signals. Here we search for signals associated with a Vela glitch on 29 April 2024 in data of the two LIGO detectors from the fourth LIGO--Virgo--KAGRA observing run. We search both for seconds-scale burst-like emission, primarily from fundamental (f-)mode oscillations, and for longer quasi-monochromatic transients up to four months in duration, primarily from quasi-static quadrupolar deformations. We find no significant detection candidates, but for the first time we set direct observational upper limits on gravitational strain amplitude that are stricter than what can be indirectly inferred from the overall glitch energy scale. We discuss the short- and long-duration observational constraints in the context of specific emission models. These results demonstrate the potential of gravitational-wave probes of glitching pulsars as detector sensitivity continues to improve.