English

Fast Radio Bursts signal high-frequency gravitational waves

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2023-11-21 v1 High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

There is growing evidence for high-frequency gravitational waves (HFGWs) ranging from MHz to GHz. Several HFGW detectors have been operating for over a decade, and two GHz events have been reported recently. However, a confirmed detection might take a decade. This essay argues that unexplained observed astrophysical phenomena, like Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), might provide indirect evidence for HFGWs. In particular, using the Gertsenshtein-Zel'dovich effect, we show that our model can explain three key features of FRBs: generate peak-flux up to 1000 Jy1000~{\rm Jy}, naturally explain the pulse width and the coherent nature of FRBs. In short, our model offers a novel perspective on the indirection detection of HFGWs beyond current detection capabilities. Thus, transient events like FRBs are a rich source for multi-messenger astronomy.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2311.11150,
  title  = {Fast Radio Bursts signal high-frequency gravitational waves},
  author = {Ashu Kushwaha and Sunil Malik and S. Shankaranarayanan},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2311.11150},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

Received Honourable mention in Gravity Research Foundation essay competition-2023. Matches the published version. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2202.00032