Detecting Low-Frequency Gravitational Waves
A network of optical cavities could detect gravitational waves in an unexplored range of frequencies, according to UK researchers.
Using existing technology, astronomers may soon search for ripples in space-time across the milli-Hz frequency band at 10⁻⁵ Hz–1 Hz.
- Gravitational waves were first observed a decade ago.
- LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA detectors have spotted GWs from hundreds of merging black holes and neutron stars in the 10 Hz–30 kHz range.
- Pulsar timing arrays have observed a GW background at nanohertz frequencies.
The milli-Hz band, which includes signals from binary systems of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and stellar-mass black holes, remains undetected.
Many of these signals would emanate from the Milky Way.
Author's summary: Researchers propose using optical cavities to detect low-frequency gravitational waves.