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Electromagnetic Chirps from Neutron Star-Black Hole MergersWe calculate the electromagnetic signal of a gamma-ray flare coming from the surface of a neutron star shortly before merger with a black hole companion. Using a new version of the Monte Carlo radiation transport code Pandurata that incorporates dynamic spacetimes, we integrate photon geodesics from the neutron star surface until they reach a distant observer or are captured by the black hole. The gamma-ray light curve is modulated by a number of relativistic effects, including Doppler beaming and gravitational lensing. Because the photons originate from the inspiraling neutron star, the light curve closely resembles the corresponding gravitational waveform: a chirp signal characterized by a steadily increasing frequency and amplitude. We propose to search for these electromagnetic chirps using matched filtering algorithms similar to those used in LIGO data analysis.
Document ID
20180002889
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Schnittman, Jeremy D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Dal Canton, Tito
(Universities Space Research Association Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Camp, Jordan B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Tsang, David
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Kelly, Bernard J.
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
May 16, 2018
Publication Date
February 1, 2018
Publication Information
Publication: The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Volume: 853
Issue: 2
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN55358
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: 80GSFC17M0002
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNH15CO48B
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
gamma-ray burst
black hole physics
gravitational waves

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