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| Paper: |
Galactic Merger Rate of Double-Neutron-Star Systems and Prospects for Detecting Gravitational Waves |
| Volume: |
362, The Seventh Pacific Rim Conference on Stellar Astrophysics |
| Page: |
151 |
| Authors: |
Kim, C. |
| Abstract: |
We present the most up-to-date estimates of the Galactic merger rate of double-neutron-star (DNS) systems and inferred detection rates with LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory). We calculate a probability density function (PDF) of rate estimates, P(R), taking into account three known systems (PSRs B1913+16, B1534+12, and J0737-3039). The most likely values of the DNS merger rate lie in the range 3 − 190 Myr−1 depending on different pulsar models. For our reference model, we find that the most probable event rates are about 1 per 30 years and 1 per 2 days, for initial and advanced LIGO, respectively. Comparing the peak rate estimates, we find that the discovery of J0737-3039 increases the estimated DNS merger rate by a factor ~6 compared to what has been previously known. In addition to studying individual pulsar models, we calculate a global PDF of rate estimates, motivated by a strong correlation between the peak rate estimates and a pulsar luminosity function. Comparing the global PDF with observed supernova Ib/c rate, we show how the supernova rates can set stringent constraints on the DNS merger rate. Finally, we discuss the implications of new discoveries such as of PSR J1756−2251, the 4-th DNS in the Galactic disk, and PSR J1906+0746, a DNS candidate. |
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