Abstract
Gravitational waves (GWs) imprint apparent Doppler shifts on the frequency of photons propagating between an emitter and detector of light. This forms the basis of a method to detect GWs using Doppler velocimetry between pairs of satellites. Operating in the micro-hertz to milli-hertz gravitational frequency band, this method could lead to the direct detection of GWs. The crucial component in such detectors is the frequency standard on board the emitting and receiving satellites. Recent developments in atomic frequency standards have led to devices that are approaching the sensitivity required to detect GWs from astrophysically interesting sources. The sensitivity of satellites equipped with optical frequency standards for Doppler velocimetry is examined, and a design for a robust, space-capable optical frequency standard is presented.
Highlights
The detection of gravitational waves (GWs) is one of the prime goals of gravitational physics today
We present a design for a portable optical frequency standard that can be used as a component of satellite Doppler velocimetry (SDV) detectors of gravitational waves
The high performance of modern optical frequency standards can be leveraged in order to detect gravitational waves using satellite Doppler velocimetry
Summary
The detection of gravitational waves (GWs) is one of the prime goals of gravitational physics today. There are two working approaches to detecting GWs – pulsar timing arrays (PTA) in the nanohertz GW frequency band [2], and terrestrial optical interferometers in the dekahertz band [3] These approaches, are insensitive to the astrophysically natural μHz-mHz band of GW frequencies. This apparent Doppler shift is proportional to the difference in GW amplitudes at the emitter and detector (times an order unity angular factor) If this small frequency shift can be resolved, it offers an attractive approach to detecting GWs. The apparent Doppler shift imprinted by the GW is oscillatory at the GW frequency, and it is necessary to resolve the small Doppler shift on a timescale less than the GW period so that the signal is not averaged away to zero. We present a design for a portable optical frequency standard that can be used as a component of SDV detectors of gravitational waves
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
