Forecasting Gravitational-Wave Strong Lensing

Could we observe strong lensing of gravitational waves as soon as in the next few years? Scientists have investigated gravitational lensing when gravitational waves pass near massive astrophysical objects. In this study, the expected number of strongly lensed events are investigated, as well as the role of lensing forecasts in strong lensing searches. 

Researchers from the Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics (GRASP) of Utrecht University, in collaboration with University of Groningen and Nikhef, have published their findings in a new paper in the Astrophysical Journal. The lead author is Renske Wierda, who worked on this project during the Bachelor research that she did at the institute under Chris Van Den Broeck and Otto Hannuksela. Her thesis work was also awarded the (EMMEPH) Honors Bachelor’s prize this year.

Publication:
Beyond the Detector Horizon: Forecasting Gravitational-Wave Strong Lensing
Renske Wierda, Ewoud Wempe, Otto A. Hannuksela, Léon Koopmans and Chris Van Den Broeck
November 2021, https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ac1bb4.