Éanna É Flanagan and Scott A Hughes 2005 New J. Phys. 7 204 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/7/1/204
The basics of gravitational wave theory
Focus on Spacetime 100 Years LaterÉanna É Flanagan1 and Scott A Hughes2
Show affiliationsPart of Focus on Spacetime 100 Years Later
Einstein's special theory of relativity revolutionized physics by teaching us that space and time are not separate entities, but join as 'spacetime'. His general theory of relativity further taught us that spacetime is not just a stage on which dynamics takes place, but is a participant: the field equation of general relativity connects matter dynamics to the curvature of spacetime. Curvature is responsible for gravity, carrying us beyond the Newtonian conception of gravity that had been in place for the previous two and a half centuries. Much research in gravitation since then has explored and clarified the consequences of this revolution; the notion of dynamical spacetime is now firmly established in the toolkit of modern physics. Indeed, this notion is so well established that we may now contemplate using spacetime as a tool for other sciences. One aspect of dynamical spacetime—its radiative character, 'gravitational radiation'—will inaugurate entirely new techniques for observing violent astrophysical processes. Over the next 100 years, much of this subject's excitement will come from learning how to exploit spacetime as a tool for astronomy. This paper is intended as a tutorial in the basics of gravitational radiation physics.
- A corrigendum was added to this paper on 6 October 2005 in order to correct equation (4.23); see the PDF and HTML files
- PACS
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04.30.Nk Wave propagation and interactions
95.85.Sz Gravitational radiation, magnetic fields, and other observations
- Subjects
- Dates
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Issue 1 (September 2005)
Received 11 January 2005
Published 29 September 2005
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The basics of gravitational wave theory
Éanna É Flanagan and Scott A Hughes 2005 New J. Phys. 7 204
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