Tests of General Relativity with GW170817

Area of Science:

• Astrophysics
• Gravitational Wave Astronomy
• General Relativity

Background:

• The detection of gravitational waves from binary neutron star inspirals by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo provides a novel source for testing fundamental physics.
• These sources uniquely allow for the examination of strong-field dynamics in compact binaries, including the influence of matter.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform tests of general relativity (GR) using gravitational wave signals from binary neutron star inspirals.
• To constrain deviations from GR, including dipole radiation and modified dispersion relations for gravitational waves.
• To investigate the polarization content of the gravitational wave signal and its implications.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of gravitational wave data from binary neutron star inspirals.
• Application of post-Newtonian expansion coefficients to model the inspiral phase.
• Integration of electromagnetic counterpart data to constrain additional physical effects.
• Study of gravitational wave polarization properties.

Main Results:

• Constraints were placed on dipole radiation and post-Newtonian coefficients, indicating possible deviations from GR.
• Bounds on modified dispersion relations for gravitational waves were established.
• Combined analysis with electromagnetic data constrained effects related to large extra dimensions.
• Polarization analysis was performed on the gravitational wave signal.

Conclusions:

• All performed tests showed results consistent with the predictions of general relativity.
• Binary neutron star inspirals are a powerful new tool for probing strong-field gravity and testing fundamental physics.
• The study demonstrates the synergy between gravitational wave and electromagnetic observations for comprehensive astrophysical tests.