Interferometric detection of gravitational waves: the definitive test for General Relativity

TL;DR

This paper argues that advanced gravitational wave detection through interferometry will serve as the ultimate test for General Relativity by enabling precise response measurements from various gravity theories.

Contribution

It highlights the potential of improved interferometric GW detection to distinguish between General Relativity and alternative gravity theories.

Findings

Interferometric GW response functions can differentiate gravity theories.

Enhanced GW detection sensitivity enables definitive tests of gravity theories.

The approach could resolve shortcomings of Einstein's theory.

Abstract

Even if Einstein's General Relativity achieved a great success and overcame lots of experimental tests, it also showed some shortcomings and flaws which today advise theorists to ask if it is the definitive theory of gravity. In this essay we show that, if advanced projects on the detection of Gravitational Waves (GWs) will improve their sensitivity, allowing to perform a GWs astronomy, accurate angular and frequency dependent response functions of interferometers for GWs arising from various Theories of Gravity, i.e. General Relativity and Extended Theories of Gravity, will be the definitive test for General Relativity. The papers which found this essay have been the world's most cited in the official Astroparticle Publication Review of ASPERA during the 2007 with 13 citations.