English

Physics Beyond the Standard Model With Pulsar Timing Arrays

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2019-07-12 v1 High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

Abstract

Pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) will enable the detection of nanohertz gravitational waves (GWs) from a population of supermassive binary black holes (SMBBHs) in the next 37\sim 3-7 years. In addition, PTAs provide a rare opportunity to probe exotic physics. Potential sources of GWs in the nanohertz band include, cosmic strings and cosmic superstrings, inflation and, phase transitions in the early universe. GW observations will also make possible tests of gravitational theories that, by modifying Einstein's theory of general relativity, attempt to explain the origin of cosmic acceleration and reconcile quantum mechanics and gravity, two of the most profound challenges facing fundamental physics today. Finally, PTAs also provide a new means to probe certain dark matter models.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1907.04960,
  title  = {Physics Beyond the Standard Model With Pulsar Timing Arrays},
  author = {Xavier Siemens and Jeffrey S. Hazboun and Paul T. Baker and Sarah Burke-Spolaor and Dustin Madison and Chiara Mingarelli and Joseph Simon and Tristan Smith},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1907.04960},
  year   = {2019}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T10:17:59.272Z