Space-based optical lattice clocks as gravitational wave detectors in search for new physics

IF 6.4 1区物理与天体物理 Q1 PHYSICS, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy Pub Date : 2025-02-19 DOI:10.1007/s11433-024-2573-3

Bo Wang, Bichu Li, Qianqian Xiao, Geyu Mo, Yi-Fu Cai

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Abstract

We investigate the sensitivity and performance of space-based optical lattice clocks (OLCs) in detecting gravitational waves, in particular the stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) at low frequencies (10⁻⁴, 1) Hz, which are inaccessible to ground-based detectors. We first analyze the response characteristics of a single OLC detector for SGWB detection and compare its sensitivity with that of laser interferometer space antenna (LISA). Due to longer arm lengths, space-based OLC detectors can exhibit unique frequency responses and enhance the capability to detect SGWB in the low-frequency range, but the sensitivity of a single OLC detector remains insufficient overall compared with LISA. Then, as a preliminary plan, we adopt a method of cross-correlation on two OLC detectors to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This method leverages the uncorrelated origins but statistically similar properties of noise in two detectors while the SGWB signal is correlated between them, thus achieving effective noise suppression and sensitivity enhancement. Future advancements in OLC stability are expected to further enhance their detection performance. This work highlights the potential of OLC detectors as a promising platform for SGWB detection, offering complementary capabilities to LISA, and opening an observational window into more astrophysical sources and the early universe.

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来源期刊

Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy PHYSICS, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

10.30

自引率

6.20%

发文量

4047

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, an academic journal cosponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and published by Science China Press, is committed to publishing high-quality, original results in both basic and applied research. Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, is published in both print and electronic forms. It is indexed by Science Citation Index. Categories of articles: Reviews summarize representative results and achievements in a particular topic or an area, comment on the current state of research, and advise on the research directions. The author’s own opinion and related discussion is requested. Research papers report on important original results in all areas of physics, mechanics and astronomy. Brief reports present short reports in a timely manner of the latest important results.