Evidence for a dual population of neutron star mergers from short gamma-ray burst observations

Document #:

LIGO-P1500208-v2

Document type:

P - Publications

Abstract:

Short duration Gamma-Ray Bursts are thought to originate from the coalescence of neutron stars in binary systems. They are detected as a brief ( 2s), intense flash of gamma-ray radiation followed by a weaker, rapidly decreasing afterglow. They are expected to be detected by Advanced LIGO and Virgo when their sensitivity will be low enough. In a recent study we identified a population of short gamma-ray bursts that are intrinsically faint and nearby. Here we provide evidence in favor of the existence of this new population that can hardly be reproduced with a model of field neutron star binary coalescences. We propose that these systems may be produced dynamically in globular clusters, and may result from the merger of a black hole and a neutron star. The advanced LIGO and Virgo observation of a high rate of NSBH mergers compatible with the dynamical formation in globular clusters would be a confirmation of this hypothesis and would enable for the derivation of the mass function of black holes inside globular clusters, as well as the luminosity function of faint short GRBs.

Files in Document:

• LIGO-P1500208-v2.pdf (673.0 kB)

Topics:

• Compact Binaries
• Astrophysics / Multi-messenger

Author Groups:

• LVC

Keywords:

short GRBs NSBH mergers globular clusters

Referenced by:

Publication Information:

To be submitted to Science