Tests of General Relativity with GW170817

2019620 citationsJournal Articlebronze Open Access

Authors

B. P. Abbott · California Institute of Technology

R. Abbott · California Institute of Technology

T. D. Abbott · Louisiana State University

F. Acernese · University of Salerno

K. Ackley · Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute

C. Adams · LIGO Scientific Collaboration

T. Adams

Abstract

The recent discovery by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo of a gravitational wave signal from a binary neutron star inspiral has enabled tests of general relativity (GR) with this new type of source. This source, for the first time, permits tests of strong-field dynamics of compact binaries in the presence of matter. In this Letter, we place constraints on the dipole radiation and possible deviations from GR in the post-Newtonian coefficients that govern the inspiral regime. Bounds on modified dispersion of gravitational waves are obtained; in combination with information from the observed electromagnetic counterpart we can also constrain effects due to large extra dimensions. Finally, the polarization content of the gravitational wave signal is studied. The results of all tests performed here show good agreement with GR.

Topics & Keywords

Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research Cosmology and Gravitation Theories Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae

Publication Details

Published in: Physical Review Letters

Volume 123, Issue 1

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.123.011102

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 53.07

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Tests of General Relativity with GW170817

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Abstract

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Publication Details