The basics of gravitational wave theory
Name
Hughes_The basics of grav.pdf
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717.99 KB
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Adobe PDF
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Author(s)
Flanagan, Eanna E.
Hughes, Scott A
Date Issued
September 2005
Journal
New Journal of Physics
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Citation
Flanagan, Eanna E, and Scott A Hughes. “The Basics of Gravitational Wave Theory.” New J. Phys. 7 (September 29, 2005): 204–204. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Einstein's special theory of relativity revolutionized physics by teaching us that space and time are not separate entities, but join as 'spacetime'. His general theory of relativity further taught us that spacetime is not just a stage on which dynamics takes place, but is a participant: the field equation of general relativity connects matter dynamics to the curvature of spacetime. Curvature is responsible for gravity, carrying us beyond the Newtonian conception of gravity that had been in place for the previous two and a half centuries. Much research in gravitation since then has explored and clarified the consequences of this revolution; the notion of dynamical spacetime is now firmly established in the toolkit of modern physics. Indeed, this notion is so well established that we may now contemplate using spacetime as a tool for other sciences. One aspect of dynamical spacetime—its radiative character, 'gravitational radiation'—will inaugurate entirely new techniques for observing violent astrophysical processes. Over the next 100 years, much of this subject's excitement will come from learning how to exploit spacetime as a tool for astronomy. This paper is intended as a tutorial in the basics of gravitational radiation physics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics
MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research
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Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/7/1/204
