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GPS constellation search for exotic physics messengers coincident with the binary neutron star merger GW170817

Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics 2026-02-18 v1 High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena Atomic Physics Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability Instrumentation and Detectors

Abstract

The Global Positioning System (GPS) includes a continuously operating, planet-scale network of atomic clocks that, beyond navigation and time dissemination, enables precision tests of fundamental physics. Here we use GPS carrier phase archival data to perform a retrospective search for exotic low-mass fields (ELFs) that might be emitted by the binary neutron-star merger GW170817, complementing gravitational wave and electromagnetic modalitiesnin multi-messenger astronomy. Such ultra-relativistic fields would imprint a dispersive, anti-chirp signature in clock-frequency time series, delayed with respect to the LIGO-Virgo gravitational wave detection. We construct network-median pseudo-frequency data from eighteen Rb satellite clocks referenced to a terrestrial hydrogen maser and conduct a template-bank search spanning ELF pulse duration, arrival delay, and characteristic frequency. No statistically significant signal is observed after accounting for noise statistics and template-bank trials. We derive 95\% confidence-level lower bounds on the interaction energy scale Λα\Lambda_\alpha of quadratic couplings driving variations in electromagnetic fine-structure constant. These limits improve upon existing astrophysical and gravity-test constraints across the ELF-energy range 1018\approx10^{-18}--1014eV10^{-14}\,\mathrm{eV}. This demonstrates that mature global satellite-clock networks provide an observational capability for retrospective, multi-messenger searches for new physics using decades of archival timing data.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2602.15296,
  title  = {GPS constellation search for exotic physics messengers coincident with the binary neutron star merger GW170817},
  author = {Arko P. Sen and Geoffrey Blewitt and Andrey Sarantsev and Paul Ries and Andrei Derevianko},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2602.15296},
  year   = {2026}
}