Detecting stellar lensing of gravitational waves with ground-based observatories

Abstract

We investigate the ability of ground-based gravitational-wave observatories to detect gravitational-wave lensing events caused by stellar mass lenses. We show that LIGO and Virgo possess the sensitivities required to detect lenses with masses as small as ∼30 M[subscript ⊙] provided that the gravitational wave is observed with a signal-to-noise ratio of ∼30. Third-generation observatories will allow detection of gravitational-wave lenses with masses of ∼1 M[subscript ⊙]. Finally, we discuss the possibility of lensing by multiple stars, as is the case if the gravitational radiation is passing through a galactic nucleus or a dense star cluster.