A perturbative quantized twist embedded in Minkowski spacetime

TL;DR

This paper explores spatially-structured gravitational waves in Minkowski spacetime, introducing a new gauge, analyzing their polarization and degrees of freedom, and demonstrating their ability to transfer orbital angular momentum to matter.

Contribution

It presents a novel gauge for gravitational waves and investigates their polarization, degrees of freedom, and angular momentum transfer, advancing understanding of gravitational wave structure.

Findings

Gravitational waves can carry orbital angular momentum.

A new gauge for gravitational waves is proposed.

Gravitational waves can transfer angular momentum to matter.

Abstract

In this article, spatially-structured gravitational waves are investigated. Drawing upon analogies between electrodynamics and general relativity, a new gauge is found. We investigate the polarization and degrees of freedom of the resulting radiation. The waves are found to carry orbital angular momentum that cam be transferred to matter.