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Finite tidal effects in GW170817: Observational evidence or model assumptions?
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology · Submitted 27 Sep 2019
abstract compiled · 2026-09-23 · no language-model review
The authors' main claim Our findings strongly indicate that existing lower credible bounds are mainly a consequence of prior assumptions combined with information gained about the system's masses.
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The abstract, sentence by sentence
After the detection of gravitational waves caused by the coalescence of compact objects in the mass range of neutron stars, GW170817, several studies have searched for an imprint of tidal effects in the signal, employing different model assumptions. One important distinction is whether or not to assume that both objects are neutron stars and obey the same equation of state. Some studies assumed independent properties. Others assume a universal equation of state, and in addition that the tidal deformability follows certain phenomenological relations. An important question is whether the gravitational-wave data alone constitute observational evidence for finite tidal effects. All studies provide Bayesian credible intervals, often without sufficiently discussing the impact of prior assumptions, especially in the case of lower limits on the neutron-star tidal deformability or radius. In this article, we scrutinize the implicit and explicit prior assumptions made in those studies. Our findings strongly indicate that existing lower credible bounds are mainly a consequence of prior assumptions combined with information gained about the system's masses. Importantly, those lower bounds are typically not informed by the observation of tidal effects in the gravitational-wave signal. Thus, regarding them as observational evidence might be misleading without a more detailed discussion. Further, we point out technical problems and conceptual inconsistencies in existing studies. We also assess the limitations due to systematic waveform model uncertainties in a novel way, demonstrating that differences between existing models are not guaranteed to be small enough for an unbiased estimation of lower bounds on the tidal deformability. Finally, we propose strategies for gravitational-wave data analysis designed to avoid some of the problems we uncovered.
background contribution method result interpretation main claim
| # | sentence | role | the authors' own work | states the main conclusion | strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s0 | After the detection of gravitational waves caused by the coalescence of compact objects in the mass range of neutron stars, GW170817, several studies have searched for an imprint of tidal effects in the signal, employing different model assumptions. | background 1.00 | 0.03 | 0.02 | asserted 0.99 |
| s1 | One important distinction is whether or not to assume that both objects are neutron stars and obey the same equation of state. | background 1.00 | 0.04 | 0.02 | asserted 0.98 |
| s2 | Some studies assumed independent properties. | background 1.00 | 0.03 | 0.01 | asserted 0.99 |
| s3 | Others assume a universal equation of state, and in addition that the tidal deformability follows certain phenomenological relations. | background 1.00 | 0.03 | 0.02 | asserted 0.99 |
| s4 | An important question is whether the gravitational-wave data alone constitute observational evidence for finite tidal effects. | gap 0.72 | 0.04 | 0.03 | unclear 0.91 |
| s5 | All studies provide Bayesian credible intervals, often without sufficiently discussing the impact of prior assumptions, especially in the case of lower limits on the neutron-star tidal deformability or radius. | gap 0.61 | 0.06 | 0.03 | asserted 0.96 |
| s6 | In this article, we scrutinize the implicit and explicit prior assumptions made in those studies. | contribution 0.96 | 0.78 | 0.03 | asserted 0.90 |
| s7 | Our findings strongly indicate that existing lower credible bounds are mainly a consequence of prior assumptions combined with information gained about the system's masses. | result 0.98 | 0.95 | 0.83 | hedged possibility 0.56 |
| s8 | Importantly, those lower bounds are typically not informed by the observation of tidal effects in the gravitational-wave signal. | result 0.70 | 0.51 | 0.19 | asserted 0.92 |
| s9 | Thus, regarding them as observational evidence might be misleading without a more detailed discussion. | interpretation 1.00 | 0.22 | 0.15 | hedged possibility 0.70 |
| s10 | Further, we point out technical problems and conceptual inconsistencies in existing studies. | contribution 0.95 | 0.81 | 0.03 | asserted 1.00 |
| s11 | We also assess the limitations due to systematic waveform model uncertainties in a novel way, demonstrating that differences between existing models are not guaranteed to be small enough for an unbiased estimation of lower bounds on the tidal deformability. | contribution 0.62 | 0.92 | 0.06 | asserted 0.94 |
| s12 | Finally, we propose strategies for gravitational-wave data analysis designed to avoid some of the problems we uncovered. | contribution 0.52 | 0.88 | 0.05 | asserted 0.95 |
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The paper
Original abstract
After the detection of gravitational waves caused by the coalescence of compact objects in the mass range of neutron stars, GW170817, several studies have searched for an imprint of tidal effects in the signal, employing different model assumptions. One important distinction is whether or not to assume that both objects are neutron stars and obey the same equation of state. Some studies assumed independent properties. Others assume a universal equation of state, and in addition that the tidal deformability follows certain phenomenological relations. An important question is whether the gravitational-wave data alone constitute observational evidence for finite tidal effects. All studies provide Bayesian credible intervals, often without sufficiently discussing the impact of prior assumptions, especially in the case of lower limits on the neutron-star tidal deformability or radius. In this article, we scrutinize the implicit and explicit prior assumptions made in those studies. Our findings strongly indicate that existing lower credible bounds are mainly a consequence of prior assumptions combined with information gained about the system's masses. Importantly, those lower bounds are typically not informed by the observation of tidal effects in the gravitational-wave signal. Thus, regarding them as observational evidence might be misleading without a more detailed discussion. Further, we point out technical problems and conceptual inconsistencies in existing studies. We also assess the limitations due to systematic waveform model uncertainties in a novel way, demonstrating that differences between existing models are not guaranteed to be small enough for an unbiased estimation of lower bounds on the tidal deformability. Finally, we propose strategies for gravitational-wave data analysis designed to avoid some of the problems we uncovered.
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References
How the literature uses it
13 arXiv papers cite this in 13 sentences
Papers citing it · 10 sentences without a confident label
Uses its method or tool 2 papers
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Specifically, we use the binary Love relations [ref] and follow the approach outlined in Ref. [ref] , while acknowledging the associated caveats and drawbacks discussed in Ref. [ref] .
Analyzing GW231109_235456 and understanding its potential implications for population studies, nuclear physics, and multi-messenger astronomy · Priors · 0.99
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We thus reweight the $Λ̃$ posterior to have a uniform prior in $Λ̃$ (as in, e.g., Refs. [ref] ),[See Ref. [ref] for a discussion about caveats concerning this reweighting procedure; future work may consider the modified reweighting procedure used in the LIGO-Virgo GW190425 analysis [ref] .] obtaining the results given in Fig. [ref].
Distinguishing high-mass binary neutron stars from binary black holes with second- and third-generation gravitational wave observatories · Posteriors for $Λ̃$ and distinguishability · 0.89
Cites it as support 1 paper
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We are able then to confirm the concerns raised by [ref] that existing fits to the $C$-$Λ_2$ are unreliable at large $C$.
Updated universal relations for tidal deformabilities of neutron stars from phenomenological equations of state · Multipole and Compactness Relations · 0.97
What it cites · 3 sentences without a confident label
Cites as background 4 papers
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For the first observation of GWs from a binary NS merger, GW170817 [ref] , several studies have already presented constraints on the tidal parameters that enter the GW signal [ref] .
GW170817: Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Neutron Star Inspiral · Introduction · 0.84
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For the first observation of GWs from a binary NS merger, GW170817 [ref] , several studies have already presented constraints on the tidal parameters that enter the GW signal [ref] .
Non-parametric inference of the neutron star equation of state from gravitational wave observations · Introduction · 0.84
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For the first observation of GWs from a binary NS merger, GW170817 [ref] , several studies have already presented constraints on the tidal parameters that enter the GW signal [ref] .
Stringent constraints on neutron-star radii from multimessenger observations and nuclear theory · Introduction · 0.84
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