Work

Gravitational wave interactions with matter: Beyond quadrupolar perturbations

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Previous work has developed the theory of linearized gravitational wave (GW) interactions with matter using the Bondi-Sachs formalism, but with the perturbations restricted to be quadrupolar, i.e., the angular dependence is spherical harmonic with $\ell=2$. Here, the theory is extended to the case of GWs on a Minkowski background with general $\ell$. Formulas for the GW damping and heating effects are obtained for arbitrary $\ell\ge 2$. It is found that the effects are, generally, enhanced, and this suggests that it is unlikely that higher $\ell$-modes will be seen in GW observations of the post-merger signal of a binary neutron star merger, or of a core collapse supernova.

Source: Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

DOI: 10.1103/32p5-845t

Authors: Ulrich K. Beckering Vinckers, Nigel T. Bishop

Institution: Rhodes University

Language: English

Topic: Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Research Foundation

Award: G2550185787