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This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2026

Title: Bayesian Search of Massive Scalar Fields from LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Binaries
Massive scalar fields are promising candidates for addressing many unresolved problems in fundamental physics. We report the first model-agnostic Bayesian search of massive scalar fields that are nonminimally coupled to gravity in LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA gravitational-wave data. We find no evidence for such fields and place the most stringent upper limits on their coupling for scalar masses 2 × 10 12 eV . We exemplify the strength of these bounds by applying them to massive scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity, finding the tightest constraints on the coupling constant to date, α GB 1 km for scalar masses 10 13 eV to 90% credible level. Published by the American Physical Society2025  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2207650
PAR ID:
10609526
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
APS
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Physical Review Letters
Volume:
134
Issue:
19
ISSN:
0031-9007
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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