Researchers from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville have proposed a new method for detecting one of the thinnest effects related to gravitational waves. The team, led by Kolter Richardson, suggests that the “memory of gravitational waves,” a phenomenon that permanently alters the relative positions of points in space, can be captured by current detectors. Previously, it was believed that future generations of equipment with much greater sensitivity would be required.
The team focused its efforts on gravitational waves produced during the collapse of a massive star, known as a supernova nucleus collapse. During this event, the star releases a massive amount of energy, generating waves due to two factors: the asymmetric release of neutrinos and the uneven propagation of the shock wave. To investigate these processes in depth, researchers conducted complex simulations of three supernovae with varying initial stellar masses.
The simulation results allowed the team to progress to the next phase: determining whether modern detectors such as LIGO, VIRGO, and KAGRA can detect the “memory” of gravitational waves if a supernova explosion were to occur within the Milky Way. Analysis revealed that it is indeed possible, under the condition of utilizing a novel approach that combines two analytical methods not previously used in tandem. This approach helps isolate the subtle “memory” signal, preventing it from being overshadowed by the strong but short-term gravitational bursts accompanying the explosion.
If scientists can successfully implement this proposed method, it would significantly advance the study of gravitational waves and the processes associated with supernova explosions. Researchers could gain insights into how massive stars conclude their lifecycle and how this impacts the surrounding space. The key advantage of this methodology is that it leverages existing detectors to explore phenomena that have been deemed inaccessible to observation thus far.