Search for planetary-mass ultracompact binaries using data from the first part of the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA fourth observing run

Authors

• A. G. Abac
• I. Abouelfettouh, LIGO Hanford
• Teviet Creighton, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Mario C. Diaz, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Raul Alberto Espinosa Perez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• J. Lawrence, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Francisco Llamas Villarreal, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Soma Mukherjee, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Volker Quetschke, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Miriam Ramos Arevalo, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Wenhui Wang, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-24-2026

Abstract

We present a search for gravitational waves from inspiraling, planetary-mass ultracompact binaries using data from the first part of the fourth observing run of LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA. Finding no evidence of such systems, we determine the maximum distance reach for such objects and their merger rate densities. Then, we identify classes of primordial black hole mass distributions for which these rate limits can be translated into relevant constraints on the mass distribution of primordial black holes, assuming that they are all composed of dark matter, in the mass range [10−6,10−3]⁢𝑀⊙. Our constraints for the class of primordial black hole mass distribution functions 𝑓⁡(𝑚) we consider reach down to 𝑓⁡(𝑚) ∼0.1. They are consistent with existing microlensing results in the planetary-mass range, provide a complementary probe to subsolar mass objects, and are publicly available [1].

Comments

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

Recommended Citation

Abac, A. G., I. Abouelfettouh, F. Acernese, K. Ackley, C. Adamcewicz, S. Adhicary, D. Adhikari et al. "Search for planetary-mass ultracompact binaries using data from the first part of the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA fourth observing run." Physical Review D 114, no. 2 (2026): 022005. https://doi.org/10.1103/s551-7pch

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Physical Review D

DOI

10.1103/s551-7pch