The missing link in gravitational-wave astronomy: discoveries waiting in the decihertz range

Sedda, M. A. et al. (2020) The missing link in gravitational-wave astronomy: discoveries waiting in the decihertz range. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 37(21), 215011. (doi: 10.1088/1361-6382/abb5c1)

Abstract

The gravitational-wave astronomical revolution began in 2015 with LIGO's observation of the coalescence of two stellar-mass black holes. Over the coming decades, ground-based detectors like laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatory (LIGO), Virgo and KAGRA will extend their reach, discovering thousands of stellar-mass binaries. In the 2030s, the space-based laser interferometer space antenna (LISA) will enable gravitational-wave observations of the massive black holes in galactic centres. Between ground-based observatories and LISA lies the unexplored dHz gravitational-wave frequency band. Here, we show the potential of a decihertz observatory (DO) which could cover this band, and complement discoveries made by other gravitational-wave observatories. The dHz range is uniquely suited to observation of intermediate-mass (~102–104M⊙) black holes, which may form the missing link between stellar-mass and massive black holes, offering an opportunity to measure their properties. DOs will be able to detect stellar-mass binaries days to years before they merge and are observed by ground-based detectors, providing early warning of nearby binary neutron star mergers, and enabling measurements of the eccentricity of binary black holes, providing revealing insights into their formation. Observing dHz gravitational-waves also opens the possibility of testing fundamental physics in a new laboratory, permitting unique tests of general relativity (GR) and the standard model of particle physics. Overall, a DO would answer outstanding questions about how black holes form and evolve across cosmic time, open new avenues for multimessenger astronomy, and advance our understanding of gravitation, particle physics and cosmology.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Berry, Dr Christopher
• Authors: Sedda, M. A., Berry, C. P.L., Jani, K., Amaro-Seoane, P., Auclair, P., Baird, J., Baker, T., Berti, E., Breivik, K., Burrows, A., Caprini, C., Chen, X., Doneva, D., Ezquiaga, J. M., Ford, K. E. S., Katz, M. L., Kolkowitz, S., McKernan, B., Mueller, G., Nardini, G., Pikovski, I., Rajendran, S., Sesana, A., Shao, L., Tamanini, N., Vartanyan, D., Warburton, N., Witek, H., Wong, K., and Zevin, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Research Centre: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy > Institute for Gravitational Research
• Journal Name: Classical and Quantum Gravity
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• ISSN: 0264-9381
• ISSN (Online): 1361-6382
• Published Online: 07 October 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd
• First Published: First published in Classical and Quantum Gravity 37(21): 215011
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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