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binbagsss
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Will eLISA have the potential to detect early universe gws?
Chalnoth said:Gravitational waves from the early universe? The short answer is yes. It should, to some extent, be able to measure the overall background of gravitational waves in the universe. Provided it reaches its design sensitivity and the background signals can be effectively separated from the gravitational wave background.
eLISA (Evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a proposed space-based gravitational wave detector. It works by using laser interferometry to measure tiny changes in the distance between three spacecrafts placed in a triangular formation in space.
eLISA is different from ground-based detectors like LIGO because it is designed to detect lower frequency gravitational waves (0.1 mHz to 100 mHz) that cannot be detected by ground-based detectors. eLISA also has a much larger detection area and longer arms, allowing it to detect weaker signals from more distant sources.
eLISA has the potential to detect gravitational waves from the early universe, specifically from the cosmic inflation period. These waves are predicted by inflationary models and could provide valuable insights into the very beginning of our universe.
One of the main challenges eLISA faces in detecting early universe gravitational waves is distinguishing them from other sources of gravitational waves, such as merging black holes or neutron stars. These signals can have similar frequencies and amplitudes, making it difficult to differentiate between them.
Currently, eLISA is expected to launch in the mid-2030s. However, it may take several years after launch for the instrument to reach its full sensitivity and be able to detect early universe gravitational waves. This depends on the success of the mission and any potential delays or technical issues that may arise.