Pulsar Timing Response to Gravitational Waves from a Massive Compact Source [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/2211.03349


Pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) are searching for nanohertz-frequency gravitational waves (GWs) through cross-correlation of pulse arrival times from a set of radio pulsars. PTAs have relied upon a frequency-shift formula of the pulse, where planar GWs are usually assumed. Phase corrections due to the wavefront curvature have been recently discussed. In this paper, we derive a frequency-shift formula for GWs from a compact source such as a binary of supermassive black holes, where the differences in the GW amplitude and direction between the Earth and the pulsar are examined in the quadrupole approximation. By using the new formula, effects beyond the plane-wave approximation are discussed and nearby relevant GW source candidates are also mentioned.

Read this paper on arXiv…

R. Kubo, K. Yamahira and H. Asada
Tue, 8 Nov 22
21/79

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to ApJL