We have conducted the most sensitive low frequency ( below 100 MHz ) search to date for prompt , low-frequency radio emission associated with short-duration gamma-ray bursts ( GRBs ) , using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Long Wavelength Array ( OVRO-LWA ) .
The OVRO-LWA ’ s nearly full-hemisphere field-of-view ( \sim 20 , 000 square degrees ) allows us to search for low-frequency ( sub- 100 MHz ) counterparts for a large sample of the subset of GRB events for which prompt radio emission has been predicted .
Following the detection of short GRB 170112A by Swift , we used all-sky OVRO-LWA images spanning one hour prior to and two hours following the GRB event to search for a transient source coincident with the position of GRB 170112A .
We detect no transient source , with our most constraining 1 \sigma flux density limit of 650 ~ { } \text { mJy } for frequencies spanning 27 ~ { } \text { MHz } -84 ~ { } \text { MHz } .
We place constraints on a number of models predicting prompt , low-frequency radio emission accompanying short GRBs and their potential binary neutron star merger progenitors , and place an upper limit of L _ { \text { radio } } / L _ { \gamma } \lesssim 7 \times 10 ^ { -16 } on the fraction of energy released in the prompt radio emission .
These observations serve as a pilot effort for a program targeting a wider sample of both short and long GRBs with the OVRO-LWA , including bursts with confirmed redshift measurements which are critical to placing the most constraining limits on prompt radio emission models , as well as a program for the follow-up of gravitational wave compact binary coalescence events detected by advanced LIGO and Virgo .