Linearly Polarized Gravitational Waves from Bubble Collisions

TL;DR

This paper explores how gravitational waves from bubble collisions in the early universe could be linearly polarized, and how future detectors like LISA and Einstein Telescope might identify this polarization to understand cosmic phase transitions.

Contribution

It demonstrates that slow first-order phase transitions with two-bubble collisions produce linearly polarized gravitational waves detectable by upcoming interferometers.

Findings

LISA and Einstein Telescope can measure GW polarization.

Linearly polarized GWs indicate slow phase transitions.

Detection of polarization can reveal the origin of GWs.

Abstract

Physics beyond the Standard Model may give rise to first-order phase transitions proceeding via the nucleation of vacuum bubbles, whose subsequent collisions generate gravitational waves (GWs). Their detection would open the possibility of investigating the universe in its first instants. If the transition is slow enough, such that it completes with the nucleation and collision of only two bubbles, the resulting GW signal is linearly polarized. We show that in this case triangular interferometers such as LISA and the Einstein Telescope could be able to not only measure the magnitude of the GW but also establish its linear polarization. This would give a strong hint about the origin of the signal.