Extreme Gravity Tests with Gravitational Waves from Compact Binary Coalescences: (I) Inspiral-Merger

TL;DR

This paper reviews how gravitational wave observations from compact binary mergers test strong-field gravity and the Kerr paradigm, discussing both model-independent and theory-specific approaches, and recent advances in numerical simulations.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current and future gravitational wave tests of strong gravity, including new insights from numerical simulations in modified theories.

Findings

Inspiral radiation carries significant information for testing gravity.

Recent progress in numerical simulations enhances understanding of mergers in modified gravity.

Gravitational wave data constrains alternative theories of gravity.

Abstract

The observation of the inspiral and merger of compact binaries by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration ushered in a new era in the study of strong-field gravity. We review current and future tests of strong gravity and of the Kerr paradigm with gravitational-wave interferometers, both within a theory-agnostic framework (the parametrized post-Einsteinian formalism) and in the context of specific modified theories of gravity (scalar-tensor, Einstein-dilaton-Gauss-Bonnet, dynamical Chern-Simons, Lorentz-violating, and extra dimensional theories). In this contribution we focus on (i) the information carried by the inspiral radiation, and (ii) recent progress in numerical simulations of compact binary mergers in modified gravity.