Effect of a low density dust shell on the propagation of gravitational waves

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a spherical dust shell influences gravitational wave propagation, showing modifications in wave magnitude and phase without energy transfer, using the Bondi-Sachs formalism and linearized perturbation theory.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of gravitational wave interaction with a dust shell using the Bondi-Sachs formalism and linearized perturbation theory.

Findings

Dust shell alters gravitational wave magnitude and phase

No energy transfer occurs between waves and dust shell

Wave geometry is characterized in different regions

Abstract

Using the Bondi-Sachs formalism, the problem of a gravitational wave source surrounded by a spherical dust shell is considered. Using linearized perturbation theory, the geometry is found in the regions: in the shell, exterior to the shell, and interior to the shell. It is found that the dust shell causes the gravitational wave to be modified both in magnitude and phase, but without any energy being transferred to or from the dust.