Detecting relic gravitational radiation from string cosmology with LIGO

TL;DR

This paper proposes that LIGO's correlation experiments could detect a unique relic gravitational wave spectrum produced by early universe string cosmology, which has an increasing energy-density with frequency.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential for LIGO to detect relic gravitational waves from string cosmology, highlighting a novel observational window into early universe physics.

Findings

LIGO detectors can potentially observe the predicted spectrum.

The spectrum's unique rise with frequency aids in distinguishing it from other sources.

Detection depends on specific model parameters.

Abstract

A characteristic spectrum of relic gravitational radiation is produced by a period of ``stringy inflation" in the early universe. This spectrum is unusual, because the energy-density rises rapidly with frequency. We show that correlation experiments with the two gravitational wave detectors being built for the Laser Interferometric Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) could detect this relic radiation, for certain ranges of the parameters that characterize the underlying string cosmology model.