Observing gravitational wave bursts in pulsar timing measurements

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new pulsar timing method to detect gravitational wave bursts with memory from super-massive black hole mergers, potentially complementing space-based detectors like LISA.

Contribution

It proposes a novel pulsar timing technique for detecting gravitational wave bursts with memory from SMBH mergers, expanding observational capabilities.

Findings

Current pulsar timing precision can detect BWM from SMBH mergers up to 1 Gpc.

Improved pulsar timing and more observed pulsars will enhance BWM detection prospects.

The method is complementary to planned space-based gravitational wave detectors.

Abstract

We propose a novel method for observing the gravitational wave signature of super-massive black hole (SMBH) mergers. This method is based on detection of a specific type of gravitational waves, namely gravitational wave burst with memory (BWM), using pulsar timing. We study the unique signature produced by BWM in anomalous pulsar timing residuals. We show that the present day pulsar timing precision allows one to detect BWM due to SMBH mergers from distances up to 1 Gpc (for case of equal mass 10^8 Msun SMBH). Improvements in precision of pulsar timing together with the increase in number of observed pulsars should eventually lead to detection of a BWM signal due to SMBH merger, thereby making the proposed technique complementary to the capabilities of the planned LISA mission.