Tests of general relativity with binary black holes from the second LIGO-Virgo gravitational-wave transient catalog

Abstract

Gravitational waves enable tests of general relativity in the highly dynamical and strong-field regime. Using events detected by LIGO-Virgo up to 1 October 2019, we evaluate the consistency of the data with predictions from the theory. We first establish that residuals from the best-fit waveform are consistent with detector noise, and that the low-and high-frequency parts of the signals are in agreement. We then consider parametrized modifications to the waveform by varying post-Newtonian and phenomenological coefficients, improving past constraints by factors of ∼2; we also find consistency with Kerr black holes when we specifically target signatures of the spin-induced quadrupole moment. Looking for gravitational-wave dispersion, we tighten constraints on Lorentz-violating coefficients by a factor of ∼2.6 and bound the mass of the graviton to m g ≤ 1.76 × 10 −23 eV=c 2 with 90% credibility. We also analyze the properties of the merger remnants by measuring ringdown frequencies and damping times, constraining fractional deviations away from the Kerr frequency to δf 220 ¼ 0.03 þ0.38 −0.35 for the fundamental quadrupolar mode, and δf 221 ¼ 0.04 þ0.27 −0.32 for the first overtone; additionally, we find no evidence for postmerger echoes. Finally, we determine that our data are consistent with tensorial polarizations through a template-independent method. When possible, we assess the validity of general relativity based on collections of events analyzed jointly. We find no evidence for new physics beyond general relativity, for black hole mimickers, or for any unaccounted systematics.

Black hole S-matrix for a scalar field

“…At the time of writing of the present article, there is no observationally significant evidence of postmerger echoes[80,81], but a model without free adjustable parameters like ours could perhaps help in increasing the confidence level of the statistics should echoes exist. On the other hand, it also means our proposal is falsifiable.…”

Advanced Virgo: Status of the Detector, Latest Results and Future Prospects

“…To test GR with GW detection of compact objects, where velocities reach a fraction of the speed of light and curvatures of the spacetime are large, both accurate numerical relativity simulations and high post-Newtonian order calculations are needed. The latest result using the most significant CBC signals detected so far and reported within the second Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog (GWTC-2) [5] are reported in [236]. Given the difficulty to produce waveforms directly derived from non-GR theories, the results of [236] can only be interpreted as constraints on deviations from GR derived from the detections during the first two Observing Runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (O1, O2) and the events detected in the first half of the third Observing Run (O3a).…”

“…The latest result using the most significant CBC signals detected so far and reported within the second Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog (GWTC-2) [5] are reported in [236]. Given the difficulty to produce waveforms directly derived from non-GR theories, the results of [236] can only be interpreted as constraints on deviations from GR derived from the detections during the first two Observing Runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (O1, O2) and the events detected in the first half of the third Observing Run (O3a). An attempt to interpret those results as effects of non-GR theories are given in [237,238].…”

“…An attempt to interpret those results as effects of non-GR theories are given in [237,238]. Mainly two aspects were tested in [236], consistency of GR predictions and the study of specific deviations from GR. In addition to these, other properties of the wave have been considered for additional tests, including the terms from the spin-induced quadrupole moment of the binary components, the study of the ringdown and echoes phases of the remnants and checks on the GW polarizations.…”

Morphology-independent test of the mixed polarization content of transient gravitational wave signals

“…Gravitational wave (GW) detections by LIGO [1] and Virgo [2] have made it possible to test general relativity (GR) in the dynamically extreme and strong-field regimes [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The three instruments in the US and Europe will soon be joined by KAGRA in Japan [16], while this decade will also see the addition of LIGO India [17].…”