Gravitational waves from high-power twisted light

TL;DR

This paper explores the novel possibility of generating high-frequency gravitational waves using high-power twisted light, specifically Bessel beams, demonstrating controllable wave properties through laser parameters.

Contribution

It introduces the first theoretical analysis of gravitational wave generation by twisted light, providing analytic expressions and numerical results for the generated waves.

Findings

Gravitational waves can be generated by high-power twisted light.

Wave properties are controllable via laser parameters.

The study provides analytic and numerical insights into the process.

Abstract

Recent advances in high-energy and high-peak-power laser systems have opened up new possibilities for fundamental physics research. In this work, the potential of twisted light for the generation of gravitational waves in the high frequency regime is explored for the first time. Focusing on Bessel beams, novel analytic expressions and numerical computations for the generated metric perturbations and associated powers are presented. Compelling evidence is provided that the properties of the generated gravitational waves, such as frequency, polarisation states and direction of emission, are controllable by the laser pulse parameters and optical arrangements.