Gravitational wave background
Encyclopedia
A possible target of gravitational wave
detection experiments is a stochastic
background of gravitational waves. This background is known as the gravitational wave background or the stochastic background. The detection of such a background would have a profound impact on early universe
cosmology and on high-energy physics, opening up a new window and exploring very early times in the evolution of the universe, and correspondingly high energies, that will never be accessible by other means. The emission of gravitational waves from a large number of unresolved astrophysical sources can create a stochastic background of gravitational waves. For instance, sufficiently massive stars, at the final stage of their evolution, collapse to form a black hole
or a neutron star
. In this explosive supernova
event gravitational waves are liberated. Also, in rapidly rotating neutron stars there is a whole class of instabilities driven by the emission of gravitational waves.
A stochastic gravitational wave background is also of theoretical interest. Given its stochastic nature, a coincidence of gravitational waves at a particular point could create stress-energy densities sufficient to produce an event horizon
. This would produce a relativistic
explanation of nonlocal effects.
Efforts to detect the gravitational wave background is ongoing.
Gravitational wave
In physics, gravitational waves are theoretical ripples in the curvature of spacetime which propagates as a wave, traveling outward from the source. Predicted to exist by Albert Einstein in 1916 on the basis of his theory of general relativity, gravitational waves theoretically transport energy as...
detection experiments is a stochastic
Stochastic
Stochastic refers to systems whose behaviour is intrinsically non-deterministic. A stochastic process is one whose behavior is non-deterministic, in that a system's subsequent state is determined both by the process's predictable actions and by a random element. However, according to M. Kac and E...
background of gravitational waves. This background is known as the gravitational wave background or the stochastic background. The detection of such a background would have a profound impact on early universe
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
cosmology and on high-energy physics, opening up a new window and exploring very early times in the evolution of the universe, and correspondingly high energies, that will never be accessible by other means. The emission of gravitational waves from a large number of unresolved astrophysical sources can create a stochastic background of gravitational waves. For instance, sufficiently massive stars, at the final stage of their evolution, collapse to form a black hole
Black hole
A black hole is a region of spacetime from which nothing, not even light, can escape. The theory of general relativity predicts that a sufficiently compact mass will deform spacetime to form a black hole. Around a black hole there is a mathematically defined surface called an event horizon that...
or a neutron star
Neutron star
A neutron star is a type of stellar remnant that can result from the gravitational collapse of a massive star during a Type II, Type Ib or Type Ic supernova event. Such stars are composed almost entirely of neutrons, which are subatomic particles without electrical charge and with a slightly larger...
. In this explosive supernova
Supernova
A supernova is a stellar explosion that is more energetic than a nova. It is pronounced with the plural supernovae or supernovas. Supernovae are extremely luminous and cause a burst of radiation that often briefly outshines an entire galaxy, before fading from view over several weeks or months...
event gravitational waves are liberated. Also, in rapidly rotating neutron stars there is a whole class of instabilities driven by the emission of gravitational waves.
A stochastic gravitational wave background is also of theoretical interest. Given its stochastic nature, a coincidence of gravitational waves at a particular point could create stress-energy densities sufficient to produce an event horizon
Event horizon
In general relativity, an event horizon is a boundary in spacetime beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer. In layman's terms it is defined as "the point of no return" i.e. the point at which the gravitational pull becomes so great as to make escape impossible. The most common case...
. This would produce a relativistic
Theory of relativity
The theory of relativity, or simply relativity, encompasses two theories of Albert Einstein: special relativity and general relativity. However, the word relativity is sometimes used in reference to Galilean invariance....
explanation of nonlocal effects.
Efforts to detect the gravitational wave background is ongoing.