https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-016-4265-8
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Gravitational Waves in Effective Quantum Gravity
Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QH, UK
* e-mail: x.calmet@sussex.ac.uk
Received:
25
June
2016
Accepted:
10
July
2016
Published online:
29
July
2016
In this short paper we investigate quantum gravitational effects on Einstein’s equations using Effective Field Theory techniques. We consider the leading order quantum gravitational correction to the wave equation. Besides the usual massless mode, we find a pair of modes with complex masses. These massive particles have a width and could thus lead to a damping of gravitational waves if excited in violent astrophysical processes producing gravitational waves such as e.g. black hole mergers. We discuss the consequences for gravitational wave events such as GW 150914 recently observed by the Advanced LIGO collaboration.
© The Author(s), 2016
