Excluding Source Models with Multiple Astrophysical Observations

Abstract

We describe a general method to observationally exclude a theoretical model for gravitational wave (GW) emission from a transient astrophysical source (event) by using a null detection from a network of GW detectors. In the case of multiple astrophysical events with no GW detection, statements about individual events can be combined to increase the exclusion confidence. We frame and demonstrate the method using a population of hypothetical core collapse supernovae.