The missing link in gravitational-wave astronomy: A summary of discoveries waiting in the decihertz range

Manuel Arca Sedda, Christopher P.L. Berry, Karan Jani, Pau Amaro-Seoane, Pierre Auclair, Jonathon Baird, Tessa Baker, Emanuele Berti, Katelyn Breivik, Chiara Caprini, Xian Chen, Daniela Doneva, Jose M. Ezquiaga, K. E.Saavik Ford, Michael L. Katz, Shimon Kolkowitz, Barry McKernan, Guido Mueller, Germano Nardini, Igor PikovskiSurjeet Rajendran, Alberto Sesana, Lijing Shao, Nicola Tamanini, Niels Warburton, Helvi Witek, Kaze Wong, Michael Zevin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Since 2015 the gravitational-wave observations of LIGO and Virgo have transformed our understanding of compact-object binaries. In the years to come, ground-based gravitational-wave observatories such as LIGO, Virgo, and their successors will increase in sensitivity, discovering thousands of stellar-mass binaries. In the 2030s, the space-based LISA will provide gravitational-wave observations of massive black holes binaries. Between the ∼ 10 –103 Hz band of ground-based observatories and the ∼ 1 0 − 4–10− 1 Hz band of LISA lies the uncharted decihertz gravitational-wave band. We propose a Decihertz Observatory to study this frequency range, and to complement observations made by other detectors. Decihertz observatories are well suited to observation of intermediate-mass (∼ 1 0 2–104M) black holes; they will be able to detect stellar-mass binaries days to years before they merge, providing early warning of nearby binary neutron star mergers and measurements of the eccentricity of binary black holes, and they will enable new tests of general relativity and the Standard Model of particle physics. Here we summarise how a Decihertz Observatory could provide unique insights into how black holes form and evolve across cosmic time, improve prospects for both multimessenger astronomy and multiband gravitational-wave astronomy, and enable new probes of gravity, particle physics and cosmology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1427-1440
Number of pages14
JournalExperimental Astronomy
Volume51
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Binary evolution
  • Black holes
  • Decihertz observatories
  • Gravitational waves
  • Intermediate-mass black holes
  • Multiband gravitational-wave astronomy
  • Multimessenger astronomy
  • Neutron stars
  • Space-based detectors
  • Stochastic backgrounds
  • Tests of general relativity
  • Voyage 2050
  • White dwarfs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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