Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory

Abstract In this paper, we establish a model-independent framework based on the Isaacson picture to analyze the gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory that yields second-order field equations. Within this framework, we derive two basic sets of equations for the Isaacson...

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Main Authors: Yu-Qi Dong, Xiao-Bin Lai, Yu-Qiang Liu, Yu-Xiao Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-06-01
Series:European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14378-5
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author Yu-Qi Dong
Xiao-Bin Lai
Yu-Qiang Liu
Yu-Xiao Liu
author_facet Yu-Qi Dong
Xiao-Bin Lai
Yu-Qiang Liu
Yu-Xiao Liu
author_sort Yu-Qi Dong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In this paper, we establish a model-independent framework based on the Isaacson picture to analyze the gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory that yields second-order field equations. Within this framework, we derive two basic sets of equations for the Isaacson picture. These equations enable the analysis of gravitational wave polarization modes, the dispersion relation of each mode, the effective energy-momentum tensor of gravitational waves, and the memory effects. These features are closely tied to observable phenomena and have attracted considerable attention. They are expected to be detected by the next generation of gravitational wave observatories designed to test potential modifications to general relativity. Using this framework, we present the explicit expression for the effective energy-momentum tensor of gravitational waves in the most general second-order vector–tensor theory and perform a complete analysis of their polarization modes.
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institution Kabale University
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series European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields
spelling doaj-art-54fff72ef91642f081a448e551d2f20d2025-08-20T03:45:32ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields1434-60522025-06-0185613810.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14378-5Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theoryYu-Qi Dong0Xiao-Bin Lai1Yu-Qiang Liu2Yu-Xiao Liu3Lanzhou Center for Theoretical Physics, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics of Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Quantum Theory and Applications of MoE, Gansu Provincial Research Center for Basic Disciplines of Quantum Physics, Lanzhou UniversityLanzhou Center for Theoretical Physics, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics of Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Quantum Theory and Applications of MoE, Gansu Provincial Research Center for Basic Disciplines of Quantum Physics, Lanzhou UniversityDepartment of Basic Courses, Lanzhou Institute of TechnologyLanzhou Center for Theoretical Physics, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics of Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Quantum Theory and Applications of MoE, Gansu Provincial Research Center for Basic Disciplines of Quantum Physics, Lanzhou UniversityAbstract In this paper, we establish a model-independent framework based on the Isaacson picture to analyze the gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory that yields second-order field equations. Within this framework, we derive two basic sets of equations for the Isaacson picture. These equations enable the analysis of gravitational wave polarization modes, the dispersion relation of each mode, the effective energy-momentum tensor of gravitational waves, and the memory effects. These features are closely tied to observable phenomena and have attracted considerable attention. They are expected to be detected by the next generation of gravitational wave observatories designed to test potential modifications to general relativity. Using this framework, we present the explicit expression for the effective energy-momentum tensor of gravitational waves in the most general second-order vector–tensor theory and perform a complete analysis of their polarization modes.https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14378-5
spellingShingle Yu-Qi Dong
Xiao-Bin Lai
Yu-Qiang Liu
Yu-Xiao Liu
Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory
European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields
title Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory
title_full Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory
title_fullStr Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory
title_full_unstemmed Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory
title_short Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory
title_sort gravitational wave effects in the most general vector tensor theory
url https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14378-5
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