A longitudinal component in massive gravitational waves arising from a bimetric theory of gravity

TL;DR

This paper explores how massive gravitational waves from a bimetric gravity theory include a longitudinal polarization component, which could be detectable and distinguishable from general relativity's predictions with sufficiently sensitive future detectors.

Contribution

It demonstrates that mass in bimetric gravity induces a longitudinal polarization in gravitational waves, expanding the understanding of wave polarization beyond general relativity.

Findings

Longitudinal polarization arises from massive gravitational waves.

Angular dependence could allow polarization discrimination.

Detectability depends on future high-sensitivity detectors.

Abstract

After a brief review of the work of de Paula, Miranda and Marinho on massive gravitational waves arising from a bimetric theory of gravity, in this paper it is shown that the presence of the mass generates a longi- tudinal component in a particular polarization of the wave. The effect of this polarization on test masses is performed using the geodesic deviation. A the end of this paper the detectability of this particular polarization is also discussed, showing that its angular dependence could, in princi- ple, discriminate such polarization with respect the two ones of general relativity, if present or future detectors will achieve a high sensitivity.