arXiv subjects

Feng-Wei Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Feng-Wei Yang.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Probing Early Universe Supercooled Phase Transitions with Gravitational Wave Data

We investigate the reach of the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA detectors in the search for signatures of first-order phase transitions in the early Universe. Utilising data from the first three observing runs, we derive constraints on the parameters of the underlying gravitational-wave background, focusing on transitions characterised by strong supercooling. As an application of our analysis, we determine bounds on the parameter space of two representative particle physics models. We also comment on the expected reach of third-generation detectors in probing supercooled phase transitions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Implications for First-Order Cosmological Phase Transitions from the Third LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We place constraints on the normalized energy density in gravitational waves from first-order strong phase transitions using data from Advanced LIGO and Virgo's first, second and third observing runs. First, adopting a broken power law model, we place $95 \%$ confidence level upper limits simultaneously on the gravitational-wave energy density at 25 Hz from unresolved compact binary mergers, $Ω_{\rm CBC} < 6.1 \times 10^{-9}$, and strong first-order phase transitions, $Ω_{\rm BPL} < 4.4 \times 10^{-9}$. The inclusion of the former is necessary since we expect this astrophysical signal to be the foreground of any detected spectrum. We then consider two more complex phenomenological models, limiting at 25 Hz the gravitational-wave background due to bubble collisions to $Ω_{\rm pt} < 5.0\times 10^{-9}$ and the background due to sound waves to $Ω_{\rm pt} < 5.8\times10^{-9}$ at $95 \%$ confidence level for phase transitions occurring at temperatures above $10^8$GeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Searching for Dark Photon Dark Matter in LIGO O1 Data

Dark matter exists in our Universe, but its nature remains mysterious. The remarkable sensitivity of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) may be able to solve this mystery. A good dark matter candidate is the ultralight dark photon. Because of its interaction with ordinary matter, it induces displacements on LIGO mirrors that can lead to an observable signal. In a study that bridges gravitational wave science and particle physics, we perform a direct dark matter search using data from LIGO's first (O1) data run, as opposed to an indirect search for dark matter via its production of gravitational waves. We demonstrate an achieved sensitivity on squared coupling as $\sim 4 \times 10^{-45}$, in a $U(1)_{\rm B}$ dark photon dark matter mass band around $m_{\rm A} \sim 4 \times 10^{-13}$eV. Substantially improved search sensitivity is expected during the coming years of continued data taking by LIGO and other gravitational wave detectors in a growing global network.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Strong gravitational field time delay for photons coupled to Weyl tensor in a Schwarzschild black hole

We analyse strong gravitational field time delay for photons coupled to the Weyl tensor in a Schwarzschild black hole. By making use of the method of strong deflection limit, we find that these time delays between relativistic images are significantly affected by polarization directions of such a coupling. A practical problem about determination of the polarization direction by observations is investigated. It is found that if the first and second relativistic images can be resolved, the measurement of time delay can more effectively improve detectability of the polarization direction.

gr-qc↗