INTEGRAL Upper Limits on Gamma-Ray Emission Associated with the Gravitational Wave Event GW150914
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Savchenko, V.
•
Ferrigno, C.
•
•
•
•
Bozzo, E.
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Brandt, S.
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Courvoisier, T. J. -L.
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Diehl, R.
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Hanlon, L.
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von Kienlin, A.
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Kuulkers, E.
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Laurent, P.
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Lebrun, F.
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Roques, J. P.
•
Ubertini, P.
•
Weidenspointner, G.
Abstract
Using observations of the INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL), we place upper limits on the gamma-ray and hard X-ray prompt emission associated with the gravitational wave event GW150914, which was discovered by the LIGO/Virgo Collaboration. The omnidirectional view of the INTEGRAL/SPI-ACS has allowed us to constrain the fraction of energy emitted in the hard X-ray electromagnetic component for the full high-probability sky region of LIGO triggers. Our upper limits on the hard X-ray fluence at the time of the event range from {F}γ =2× {10}-8 erg cm-2 to {F}γ ={10}-6 erg cm-2 in the 75 keV-2 MeV energy range for typical spectral models. Our results constrain the ratio of the energy promptly released in gamma-rays in the direction of the observer to the gravitational wave energy E {}γ / E {}{GW}\lt {10}-6. We discuss the implication of gamma-ray limits for the characteristics of the gravitational wave source, based on the available predictions for prompt electromagnetic emission.
Volume
820
Issue
2
Start page
L36
Issn Identifier
2041-8205
Ads BibCode
2016ApJ...820L..36S
Rights
open.access
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