Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detection

Abstract We derive a lower bound on the sensitivity of generic mechanical and electromagnetic gravitational wave detectors. We consider both classical and quantum detection schemes, although we focus on the former. Our results allow for a simple reproduction of the sensitivities of a variety of expe...

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Main Authors: Raffaele Tito D’Agnolo, Sebastian A. R. Ellis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of High Energy Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP04(2025)164
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author Raffaele Tito D’Agnolo
Sebastian A. R. Ellis
author_facet Raffaele Tito D’Agnolo
Sebastian A. R. Ellis
author_sort Raffaele Tito D’Agnolo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We derive a lower bound on the sensitivity of generic mechanical and electromagnetic gravitational wave detectors. We consider both classical and quantum detection schemes, although we focus on the former. Our results allow for a simple reproduction of the sensitivities of a variety of experiments, including optical interferometers, resonant bars, optomechanical sensors, and electromagnetic conversion experiments. In the high-frequency regime, all detection schemes we consider can be characterised by their stored electromagnetic energy and the signal transfer function, which we provide. We discuss why high-frequency gravitational wave searches are especially difficult and primordial gravitational wave backgrounds might not be detectable above the sensitivity window of existing interferometers.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1029-8479
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series Journal of High Energy Physics
spelling doaj-art-cf26f9a78430469caeb94d02bbee66272025-08-20T03:52:53ZengSpringerOpenJournal of High Energy Physics1029-84792025-04-012025414010.1007/JHEP04(2025)164Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detectionRaffaele Tito D’Agnolo0Sebastian A. R. Ellis1Institut de Physique Théorique, Université Paris Saclay, CEADépartement de Physique Théorique, Université de GenèveAbstract We derive a lower bound on the sensitivity of generic mechanical and electromagnetic gravitational wave detectors. We consider both classical and quantum detection schemes, although we focus on the former. Our results allow for a simple reproduction of the sensitivities of a variety of experiments, including optical interferometers, resonant bars, optomechanical sensors, and electromagnetic conversion experiments. In the high-frequency regime, all detection schemes we consider can be characterised by their stored electromagnetic energy and the signal transfer function, which we provide. We discuss why high-frequency gravitational wave searches are especially difficult and primordial gravitational wave backgrounds might not be detectable above the sensitivity window of existing interferometers.https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP04(2025)164Classical Theories of GravityCosmological modelsEarly Universe Particle PhysicsPhase Transitions in the Early Universe
spellingShingle Raffaele Tito D’Agnolo
Sebastian A. R. Ellis
Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detection
Journal of High Energy Physics
Classical Theories of Gravity
Cosmological models
Early Universe Particle Physics
Phase Transitions in the Early Universe
title Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detection
title_full Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detection
title_fullStr Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detection
title_full_unstemmed Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detection
title_short Classical (and quantum) heuristics for gravitational wave detection
title_sort classical and quantum heuristics for gravitational wave detection
topic Classical Theories of Gravity
Cosmological models
Early Universe Particle Physics
Phase Transitions in the Early Universe
url https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP04(2025)164
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AT sebastianarellis classicalandquantumheuristicsforgravitationalwavedetection