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arXiv · 2205.09345

One pulsar, two white dwarfs, and a planet confirming the strong equivalence principle

Guillaume Voisin·G Luth·I Cognard·P Freire·N Wex·L Guillemot·G Desvignes·M Kramer·G Theureau·M Saillenfest
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Abstract

The strong equivalence principle is a cornerstone of general relativity, tested with exquisite accuracy in the Solar system. However, tests in the strong-field regime require a compact object. Currently, PSR J0337+1715 is the unique millisecond pulsar found in a triple stellar system, orbiting two white dwarfs within an area comparable to the orbit of the Earth. This configuration offers the opportunity for a dramatic improvement over previous tests, provided that accurate and regular timing of the pulsar can be achieved. This also requires the development of a new timing model solving numerically the relativistic three-body problem with great accuracy. We report on the analysis of the high-quality dataset gathered on PSR J0337+1715 by the Nan{\c c}ay radiotelescope over the past 8 years. In particular, I will show how we could obtain the most stringent limit to-date on a potential violation of the strong equivalent principle in the strong field regime. I will also introduce preliminary resuts showing that the presence of a small planet in the system may explain a tiny residual signal so far unaccounted for, which if confirmed would make this system exceptionally rich.

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Guillaume Voisin, G Luth, I Cognard, P Freire, N Wex, L Guillemot, G Desvignes, M Kramer, G Theureau, M Saillenfest. 2022-05-19. One pulsar, two white dwarfs, and a planet confirming the strong equivalence principle. https://arxiv.org/abs/2205.09345

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