Gravitons to Photons -- attenuation of gravitational waves

TL;DR

This paper explores how gravitational waves might be attenuated through a process where gravitons decay into photons, using quantum detector models to suggest potential impacts on gravitational wave detection over large distances.

Contribution

It proposes a novel mechanism where gravitons decay into photons, potentially affecting gravitational wave signals, based on quantum detector response analysis.

Findings

Unruh-DeWitt detector response resembles scattering processes.

Suggests graviton decay into photons could cause gravitational wave attenuation.

Potential implications for gravitational wave detection over cosmic distances.

Abstract

In this essay we examine the response of an Unruh-DeWitt detector (a quantum two-level system) to a gravitational wave background. The spectrum of the Unruh-Dewitt detector is of the same form as some scattering processes or three body decays such as muon-electron scattering or muon decay. Based on this similarity we propose that the Unruh-DeWitt detector response implies a "decay" or attenuation of gravitons, $G$, into photons, $\gamma$, via $G + G \rightarrow \gamma + \gamma $ or $G \rightarrow \gamma + \gamma + G$. Over large distances such a decay/attenuation may have consequences in regard to the detection of gravitational waves.