Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-14-2010
Journal / Book Title
Classical and Quantum Gravity
Abstract
The nonlinear memory effect is a slowly growing, non-oscillatory contribution to the gravitational-wave amplitude. It originates from gravitational waves that are sourced by the previously emitted waves. In an ideal gravitational-wave interferometer a gravitational wave with memory causes a permanent displacement of the test masses that persists after the wave has passed. Surprisingly, the nonlinear memory affects the signal amplitude starting at leading (Newtonian-quadrupole) order. Despite this fact, the nonlinear memory is not easily extracted from current numerical relativity simulations. After reviewing the linear and nonlinear memory I summarize some recent work, including (1) computations of the memory contribution to the inspiral waveform amplitude (thus completing the waveform to third post-Newtonian order); (2) the first calculations of the nonlinear memory that include all phases of binary black hole coalescence (inspiral, merger, ringdown); and (3) realistic estimates of the detectability of the memory with LISA.
DOI
10.1088/0264-9381/27/8/084036
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Favata, Marc, "The Gravitational-Wave Memory Effect" (2010). Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 150.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/physics-astron-facpubs/150
Published Citation
Favata, M. (2010). The gravitational-wave memory effect. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 27(8), 084036.