Gravitational-Wave Lunar Observatory for Cosmology

TL;DR

The paper proposes GLOC, a lunar-based gravitational-wave observatory designed to explore a unique frequency range, enabling new astrophysical and cosmological insights beyond current Earth and space detectors.

Contribution

It introduces the first concept design for a lunar GW observatory, highlighting its potential to probe a previously inaccessible frequency band and contribute to cosmology and fundamental physics.

Findings

GLOC can survey a large volume of the universe for neutron star and black hole binaries.

Sensitivity at ~1 Hz enables calibration of Type Ia supernovae.

Ultimate sensitivity could trace the Hubble expansion up to redshift 3 and test cosmology up to z~350.

Abstract

Several large-scale experimental facilities and space-missions are being suggested to probe the universe across the gravitational-wave (GW) spectrum. Here we propose Gravitational-wave Lunar Observatory for Cosmology (GLOC) - the first concept design in the NASA Artemis era for a GW observatory on the Moon. Using feasible interferometer technologies, we find that a lunar-based observatory is ideal for probing GW frequencies in the range between deci-Hz to 5 Hz, an astrophysically rich regime that is very challenging for both Earth- and space-based detectors. GLOC can survey binaries with neutron stars, stellar and intermediate-mass black holes to $\gtrsim 70\%$ of the observable volume of our universe without significant background contamination. The sensitivity at $\mathcal{O}(1~\mathrm{Hz})$ allows a unique window into calibrating Type Ia supernovae. At its ultimate sensitivity limits, GLOC would trace the Hubble expansion rate up to redshift $z \sim 3$ and test General Relativity and $\Lambda$CDM cosmology up to $z\sim 350$.