Space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna Research Articles

Multiparameter Tests of General Relativity Using Multiband Gravitational-Wave Observations.

In this Letter, we show that multiband observations of stellar-mass binary black holes by the next generation of ground-based observatories (3G) and the space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) would facilitate a comprehensive test of general relativity by simultaneously measuring all the post-Newtonian coefficients. Multiband observations would measure most of the known post-Newtonian phasing coefficients to an accuracy below a few percent-2 orders-of-magnitude better than the best bounds achievable from even "golden" binaries in the 3G or LISA bands. Such multiparameter bounds would play a pivotal role in constraining the parameter space of modified theories of gravity beyond general relativity.

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

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 (∼102–104 M ⊙) 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.

Testing the multipole structure of compact binaries using gravitational wave observations

We propose a novel method to test the consistency of the multipole moments of compact binary systems with the predictions of General Relativity (GR). The multipole moments of a compact binary system, known in terms of symmetric and trace-free tensors, are used to calculate the gravitational waveforms from compact binaries within the post-Newtonian (PN) formalism. For nonspinning compact binaries, we derive the gravitational wave phasing formula, in the frequency domain, parametrizing each PN order term in terms of the multipole moments which contribute to that order. Using GW observations, this {\it{parametrized multipolar phasing}} would allow us to derive the bounds on possible departures from the multipole structure of GR and hence constrain the parameter space of alternative theories of gravity. We compute the projected accuracies with which the second generation ground-based detectors, such as Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), the third generation detectors such as Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer, as well as space-based detector Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be able to measure these multipole parameters. We find that while Advanced LIGO can measure the first two or three multipole coefficients with good accuracy, Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope may be able to measure the first four multipole coefficients which enter the phasing formula. Intermediate mass ratio inspirals, with mass ratio of several tens, in the frequency band of planned space-based LISA mission should be able to measure all the seven multipole coefficients which appear in the 3.5PN phasing formula. Our finding highlights the importance of this class of sources for probing the strong-field gravity regime. The proposed test will facilitate the first probe of the multipolar structure of Einstein's general relativity.

Gravitational waves from ultra-short period exoplanets

ABSTRACT In the last two decades, thousands of extrasolar planets were discovered based on different observational techniques, and their number must increase substantially in virtue of the ongoing and near-future approved missions and facilities. It is shown that interesting signatures of binary systems from nearby exoplanets and their parent stars can also be obtained measuring the pattern of gravitational waves (GWs) that will be made available by the new generation of detectors including the space-based LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) observatory. As an example, a subset of exoplanets with extremely short periods (less than 80 min) is discussed. All of them have gravitational luminosity, LGW ∼ 1030 erg s−1, strain h ∼ 10−22, frequencies fGW > 10−4 Hz, and, as such, are within the standard sensitivity curve of LISA. Our analysis suggests that the emitted GW pattern may also provide an efficient tool to discover ultra-short period exoplanets.

Science with the space-based interferometer LISA. V. Extreme mass-ratio inspirals

The space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be able to observe the gravitational-wave signals from systems comprised of a massive black hole and a stellar-mass compact object. These systems are known as extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) and are expected to complete $\sim 10^4$-$10^5$ cycles in band, thus allowing exquisite measurements of their parameters. In this work, we attempt to quantify the astrophysical uncertainties affecting the predictions for the number of EMRIs detectable by LISA, and find that competing astrophysical assumptions produce a variance of about three orders of magnitude in the expected intrinsic EMRI rate. However, we find that irrespective of the astrophysical model, at least a few EMRIs per year should be detectable by the LISA mission, with up to a few thousands per year under the most optimistic astrophysical assumptions. We also investigate the precision with which LISA will be able to extract the parameters of these sources. We find that typical fractional statistical errors with which the intrinsic parameters (redshifted masses, massive black hole spin and orbital eccentricity) can be recovered are $\sim 10^{-6}$-$10^{-4}$. Luminosity distance (which is required to infer true masses) is inferred to about $10\%$ precision and sky position is localized to a few square degrees, while tests of the multipolar structure of the Kerr metric can be performed to percent-level precision or better.

Time-domain modelling of Extreme-Mass-Ratio Inspirals for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

When a stellar-mass compact object is captured by a supermassive black hole located in a galactic centre, the system losses energy and angular momentum by the emission of gravitational waves. Subsequently, the stellar compact object evolves inspiraling until plunging onto the massive black hole. These EMRI systems are expected to be one of the main sources of gravitational waves for the future space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). However, the detection of EMRI signals will require of very accurate theoretical templates taking into account the gravitational self-force, which is the responsible of the stellar-compact object inspiral. Due to its potential applicability on EMRIs, the obtention of an efficient method to compute the scalar self-force acting on a point-like particle orbiting around a massive black hole is being object of increasing interest. We present here a review of our time-domain numerical technique to compute the self-force acting on a point-like particle and we show its suitability to deal with both circular and eccentric orbits.

The Einstein Telescope: a third-generation gravitational wave observatory

Advanced gravitational wave interferometers, currently under realization, will soon permit the detection of gravitational waves from astronomical sources. To open the era of precision gravitational wave astronomy, a further substantial improvement in sensitivity is required. The future space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna and the third-generation ground-based observatory Einstein Telescope (ET) promise to achieve the required sensitivity improvements in frequency ranges. The vastly improved sensitivity of the third generation of gravitational wave observatories could permit detailed measurements of the sources' physical parameters and could complement, in a multi-messenger approach, the observation of signals emitted by cosmological sources obtained through other kinds of telescopes. This paper describes the progress of the ET project which is currently in its design study phase.

Pseudospectral collocation methods for the computation of the self-force on a charged particle: Generic orbits around a Schwarzschild black hole

[abridged] The inspiral of a stellar compact object into a massive black hole is one of the main sources of gravitational waves for the future space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna. We expect to be able to detect and analyze many cycles of these slowly inspiraling systems. To that end, the use of very precise theoretical waveform templates in the data analysis is required. To build them we need to have a deep understanding of the gravitational backreaction mechanism responsible for the inspiral. The self-force approach describes the inspiral as the action of a local force that can be obtained from the regularization of the perturbations created by the stellar compact object on the massive black hole geometry. In this paper we extend a new time-domain technique for the computation of the self-force from the circular case to the case of eccentric orbits around a non-rotating black hole. The main idea behind our scheme is to use a multidomain framework in which the small compact object, described as a particle, is located at the interface between two subdomains. Then, the equations at each subdomain are homogeneous wave-type equations, without distributional sources. In this particle-without-particle formulation, the solution of the equations is smooth enough to provide good convergence properties for the numerical computations. This formulation is implemented by using a pseudospectral collocation method for the spatial discretization, combined with a Runge Kutta algorithm for the time evolution. We present results from several simulations of eccentric orbits in the case of a scalar charged particle around a Schwarzschild black hole. In particular, we show the convergence of the method and its ability to resolve the field and its derivatives across the particle location. Finally, we provide numerical values of the self-force for different orbital parameters.