Gravitational Wave -- Gauge Field Dynamics
arXiv:1706.00431 · doi:10.1142/S0218271817420056
Abstract
The dynamics of a gravitational wave propagating through a cosmic gauge field are dramatically different than in vacuum. We show that a gravitational wave acquires an effective mass, is birefringent, and its normal modes are a linear combination of gravitational waves and gauge field excitations, leading to the phenomenon of gravitational wave -- gauge field oscillations. These surprising results provide insight into gravitational phenomena and may suggest new approaches to a theory of quantum gravity.
Awarded Fifth Prize in 2017 Gravity Research Foundation Essay Contest