Gravitational Waves Probes of Parity Violation in Compact Binary Coalescence

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to detect parity violation in gravity using gravitational wave observations, focusing on signatures like amplitude birefringence and altered chirping rates, to test fundamental physics with current and future detectors.

Contribution

It identifies key signatures of parity violation in gravitational waves and outlines optimal binary systems and modeling strategies for testing gravity's parity properties.

Findings

Amplitude birefringence as a signature of parity violation

Modified chirping rate in gravitational wave generation

Guidelines for selecting binary systems to test parity violation

Abstract

Is gravity parity violating? Given the recent observations of gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries, we develop a strategy to find an answer with current and future detectors. We identify the key signatures of parity violation in gravitational waves: amplitude birefringence in their propagation and a modified chirping rate in their generation. We then determine the optimal binaries to test the existence of parity violation in gravity, and prioritize the research in modeling that will be required to carry out such tests before detectors reach their design sensitivity.