PIRSA:18030122

Gravitational waves from the sound of a first-order phase transition

Weir, D. (2018). Gravitational waves from the sound of a first-order phase transition. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/18030122

Weir, David. Gravitational waves from the sound of a first-order phase transition. Perimeter Institute, Mar. 27, 2018, https://pirsa.org/18030122 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:18030122,
            doi = {10.48660/18030122},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/18030122},
            author = {Weir, David},
            keywords = {Particle Physics},
            language = {en},
            title = {Gravitational waves from the sound of a first-order phase transition},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2018},
            month = {mar},
            note = {PIRSA:18030122 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

David Weir University of Helsinki

DOI 10.48660/18030122
Collection
Talk Type Scientific Series
Subject

Abstract

The space-based gravitational wave detector LISA may be able to detect gravitational waves from a first order phase transition at the electroweak scale. Acoustic waves produced during the transition are largely responsible for the resulting signal. I will present results from a large campaign of simulations studying such phase transitions, determining the spectral shape of the gravitational wave power spectrum with unparalleled accuracy. Measuring a cosmological stochastic background could place constraints on the phase transition parameters, such as the nucleation rate and temperature, and therefore provide important information about physics beyond the Standard Model. However, better understanding of the source, as well as the underlying theories of physics beyond the Standard Model, is required before the launch of LISA. I will outline how this understanding can be developed.