Gravitational wave memory: further examples

TL;DR

This paper discusses different theoretical predictions about the permanent effects of gravitational waves on particles, comparing velocity and displacement effects, and confirming specific conditions for each.

Contribution

It clarifies the conditions under which gravitational waves produce velocity or displacement effects on particles, extending previous theoretical predictions.

Findings

Velocity effect occurs under certain wave parameters.

Displacement effect is observed in different wave scenarios.

Confirmation of theoretical predictions for specific wave parameters.

Abstract

Ehlers and Kundt [1] argued in favor of the velocity effect: particles initally at rest hit by a burst of gravitational waves should fly apart with constant velocity after the wave has passed. Zel'dovich and Polnarev [2] suggested instead that waves generated by flyby would be merely displaced. Their prediction is confirmed provided the wave parameters take some particular values.