Distinguishing Distance Duality breaking models using electromagnetic and gravitational waves measurements

TL;DR

Upcoming gravitational wave observations, combined with other cosmological measurements, can effectively test and distinguish models that violate the distance duality relation, offering new insights into deviations from standard cosmology.

Contribution

This paper demonstrates the potential of gravitational wave data, alongside baryon acoustic oscillations, to constrain and differentiate models violating the distance duality relation.

Findings

Gravitational waves provide similar constraints as supernovae when combined with BAO.

Combining electromagnetic and gravitational observables helps discriminate between different violation mechanisms.

Gravitational wave observations enhance the testing of fundamental cosmological assumptions.

Abstract

Several assumptions at the foundation of the standard cosmological model have as a direct consequence a specific relation between cosmological distances, known as the distance duality relation, whose violation would be a smoking gun of deviations from standard cosmology. We explore the role of upcoming gravitational wave observations in investigating possible deviations from the distance duality relation, alongside the more commonly used supernovae. We find that, when combined with baryon acoustic oscillations, gravitational waves will provide similar constraining power to the combination of baryon acoustic oscillations and supernovae. Moreover, the combination of observables with different sensitivities to electromagnetic and gravitational physics provides a promising way to discriminate among different physical mechanisms that could lead to violations of the distance duality relation.