https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14378-5
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory
1
Lanzhou Center for Theoretical Physics, Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics of Gansu Province, Key Laboratory of Quantum Theory and Applications of MoE, Gansu Provincial Research Center for Basic Disciplines of Quantum Physics, Lanzhou University, 730000, Lanzhou, China
2
Institute of Theoretical Physics and Research Center of Gravitation, Lanzhou University, 730000, Lanzhou, China
3
Department of Basic Courses, Lanzhou Institute of Technology, 730050, Lanzhou, China
Received:
2
March
2025
Accepted:
25
May
2025
Published online:
11
June
2025
In this paper, we establish a model-independent framework based on the Isaacson picture to analyze the gravitational-wave effects in the most general vector–tensor theory that yields second-order field equations. Within this framework, we derive two basic sets of equations for the Isaacson picture. These equations enable the analysis of gravitational wave polarization modes, the dispersion relation of each mode, the effective energy-momentum tensor of gravitational waves, and the memory effects. These features are closely tied to observable phenomena and have attracted considerable attention. They are expected to be detected by the next generation of gravitational wave observatories designed to test potential modifications to general relativity. Using this framework, we present the explicit expression for the effective energy-momentum tensor of gravitational waves in the most general second-order vector–tensor theory and perform a complete analysis of their polarization modes.
© The Author(s) 2025
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