Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, we investigate the polarization properties of gravitational waves within a torsionless spacetime framework, as described by the Palatini formalism. Our analysis uncovers the presence of two novel polarization modes, referred to as shear modes, which extend beyond the traditional set of six modes in a four-dimensional Riemannian spacetime. These shear modes, uniquely driven by vector degrees of freedom associated with non-metricity, are classified as vector modes, and their detection provides a unique opportunity to explore the fundamental structure of spacetime and to test gravity theories. These modes extend the standard gravitational wave polarization paradigm and provide novel observational signatures for gravitational wave detectors.
Source: The European Physical Journal C
Authors: Yu-Qi Dong, Xiao-Bin Lai, Yu-Zhi Fan, Yu-Xiao Liu
Institution: Lanzhou University
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Overseas Expertise Introduction Center for Discipline Innovation of Food Nutrition and Human Health (111 Center)
OpenAlex ID: W4415879293