Gravitational waves may reveal the start of time, according to physicists
Deepen Garg, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory scientist and Ilya Diddin claim they are better able to understand the condition of the universe shortly after it was created by studying how gravitational waves move through the planets and gas between galaxies.
Computer simulation shows neutron stars merging into a black hole. Their accretion discs interact to create electromagnetic waves. Image credit: L. Rezolla, AEI / M. Koppitz, AEI & Zuse-Institut Berlin.
Albert Einstein first predicted gravititational waves in 1916, as a result of his theory about relativity. They are disturbances of space-time that is caused by dense objects moving.
They move at the speed light and were detected for the first time in 2015 by Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory, (LIGO), through detections in Washington State as well as Louisiana.
Garg stated that although we cannot see the beginning of the Universe direct, we might be able to see some indirect evidence if we examine how gravity waves from those times have affected radiation and matter that we observe now.
Garg and Dodin took their techniques from research on fusion energy. Fusion scientists have developed a process to generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gasses or creating radioactive waste.
Scientists at Fusion calculate the movement of electromagnetic waves through plasma. This is the mixture of electrons, atomic nuclei and other elements that powers fusion facilities such as stellarators and tokamaks. This process is similar to the motion of gravitational wave through matter.
Garg stated, “We basically put the plasma wave machinery on a gravitational problem.”
These formulae could lead to gravitational waves that reveal secrets about celestial bodies like stars, which are far away from us.
The waves that flow through matter create light, whose properties depend on its density.
An astronomer could use that light to discover the properties of a star many light-years from us.
The technique may also allow for the discovery of black holes and neutron stars, which are ultra-dense remnants from star deaths.
These could reveal details about the Big Bang or early stages of the Universe.
Dr. Dodin stated, “I thought that this would be an easy six-month project that would require a graduate student to solve a simple problem.”
We were able to do basic theoretical work once we began digging into the subject.
Now, the authors plan to apply the technique for data analysis in the near future.
Garg stated that while we have formulas, getting real results requires more effort.
The paper of the team was published in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Science.
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Deepen Garg & I.Y. Dodin. Matter’s gravititational wave modes Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Science 2022; doi: 10.1088/1475-7516/2022/08/017