Binary Pulsar Constraints on the Parameterized post-Einsteinian Framework

TL;DR

This paper uses binary pulsar observations to set upper limits on deviations from General Relativity within the parameterized post-Einsteinian framework, aiding future gravitational wave tests.

Contribution

It provides the first observational constraints on the post-Einsteinian parameters using binary pulsar data, bridging theory and gravitational wave observations.

Findings

Upper limits on post-Einsteinian parameters established

Binary pulsar data constrains deviations from General Relativity

Framework interpolation between GR and alternative theories

Abstract

We constrain the parameterized post-Einsteinian framework with binary pulsar observations of orbital period decay due to gravitational wave emission. This framework proposes to enhance the amplitude and phase of gravitational waveform templates through post-Einsteinian parameters to search for generic deviations from General Relativity in gravitational wave data. Such enhancements interpolate between General Relativity and alternative theory predictions, but their magnitude must be such as to satisfy all current experiments and observations. The data that currently constrains the parameterized post-Einsteinian framework the most is the orbital period decay of binary pulsars. We use such observations to place upper limits on the magnitude of post-Einsteinian parameters, which will be critical when gravitational waves are detected and this framework is implemented.