Abstract
We propose a space-based interferometer surveying the gravitational wave (GW) sky in the milli-Hz to μ-Hz frequency range. By the 2040s, the μ-Hz frequency band, bracketed in between the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and pulsar timing arrays, will constitute the largest gap in the coverage of the astrophysically relevant GW spectrum. Yet many outstanding questions related to astrophysics and cosmology are best answered by GW observations in this band. We show that a μ-Hz GW detector will be a truly overarching observatory for the scientific community at large, greatly extending the potential of LISA. Conceived to detect massive black hole binaries from their early inspiral with high signal-to-noise ratio, and low-frequency stellar binaries in the Galaxy, this instrument will be a cornerstone for multimessenger astronomy from the solar neighbourhood to the high-redshift Universe.
Highlights
As we enter the era of gravitational wave (GW) astrophysics, the Universe unfolds by revealing the most extreme and energetic events abiding by the laws of gravity
In the context of the Voyage 2050 program,1 we explore in this White Paper, the possibility of a μ-Hz space-based GW mission, bridging the gap between the milliHz and nano-Hz frequency windows surveyed by Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and PTAs, respectively
In response to the ESA Voyage 2050 call, we presented a concept study for a space-based GW interferometer covering the milli-Hz to μ-Hz frequency band
Summary
As we enter the era of gravitational wave (GW) astrophysics, the Universe unfolds by revealing the most extreme and energetic events abiding by the laws of gravity. GWs broke onto the stage, bringing the promise of revolutionizing our understanding of astrophysics, cosmology and fundamental physics [46] This revolution will be completed in the two decades, when observatories on the ground and in space will survey the GW Universe across the frequency spectrum, from the kilo-Hz down to the nano-Hz. In the 0.3–104 Hz window, third-generation (3G) ground-based detectors, such as the Einstein Telescope (ET, [206]) and Cosmic Explorer (CE, [214]), will detect millions of stellar-origin compact object (CO) binaries (BHBs, NSBs, and NS-BH binaries) out to z > 10.
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