Probing dynamical gravity with the polarization of continuous gravitational waves

Isi, M., Pitkin, M. and Weinstein, A. J. (2017) Probing dynamical gravity with the polarization of continuous gravitational waves. Physical Review D, 96(4), 042001. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevD.96.042001)

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Abstract

The direct detection of gravitational waves provides the opportunity to measure fundamental aspects of gravity which have never been directly probed before, including the polarization of gravitational waves. In the context of searches for continuous waves from known pulsars, we present novel methods to detect signals of any polarization content, measure the modes present and place upper limits on the amplitude of nontensorial components. This will allow us to obtain new model-independent, dynamical constraints on deviations from general relativity. We test this framework on multiple potential sources using simulated data from three advanced-era detectors at design sensitivity. We find that signals of any polarization will become detectable and distinguishable for characteristic strains h ≳ 3 × 10 − 27 √ 1     yr / T , for an observation time T . We also find that our ability to detect nontensorial components depends only on the power present in those modes, irrespective of the strength of the tensorial strain.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Pitkin, Dr Matthew
Authors: Isi, M., Pitkin, M., and Weinstein, A. J.
Subjects:Q Science > QB Astronomy
Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Physical Review D
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:1550-7998
ISSN (Online):1550-2368
Published Online:15 August 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 American Physical Society
First Published:First published in Physical Review D 96(4): 042001
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
713721Investigations in gravitational radiationSheila RowanScience & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/N005422/1S&E P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY