Using Equation of State Constraints to Classify Sources in Low Mass Compact Binaries

Classification of compact objects with masses below 3 solar masses in binary

mergers represents a challenge for current and future gravitional-wave science.

While neutron stars will only form with masses below the

(uncertain) Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff maximum mass, it is often assumed that

black holes will only form above this mass. For objects of less than a solar mass,

there is no well-established formation mechanism for either a neutron star or

black hole, and therefore classification schemes based on the relatively

well-measured masses of the compact objects are not applicable. In this talk,

I will discuss how low-mass compact objects can be classified based on tidal

signatures by incorporating knowledge of the nuclear equation of state. This

classification is more effective for lower-mass objects; for objects of less

than a solar mass, we find this classification to be promising even for

detectors with current-generation sensitivty.