Gravitational Wave Detection with Michelson Interferometers

TL;DR

This paper proposes a frequency modulation analysis for gravitational wave detection using Michelson interferometers, highlighting a non-linear electromagnetic-gravitational coupling effect that causes measurable frequency shifts.

Contribution

It introduces a novel frequency modulation approach based on Maxwell-Einstein equations, improving detection methods for gravitational waves in general relativity.

Findings

Frequency shifts correspond to gravitational wave frequency.

Non-linear coupling causes measurable electromagnetic effects.

Method derived directly from fundamental equations.

Abstract

Electromagnetic methods recently proposed for detecting gravitational waves modify the Michelson phase shift analysis (historically employed for special relativity). We suggest that a frequency modulation analysis is more suited to general relativity. An incident photon in the presence of a very long wavelength gravitational wave will have a finite probability of being returned as a final photon with a frequency shift whose magnitude is equal to the gravitational wave frequency. The effect is due to the non-linear coupling between electromagnetic and gravitational waves. The frequency modulation is derived directly from the Maxwell-Einstein equations.