A Precise Fitting Formula for Gravitational Wave Spectra from Phase Transitions

Abstract

Obtaining a precise form for the predicted gravitational wave (GW) spectrum from a phase transition is a topic of great relevance for beyond Standard Model (BSM) physicists. Currently, the most sophisticated semi-analytic framework for estimating the dominant contribution to the spectrum is the sound shell model; however, full calculations within this framework can be computationally expensive, especially for large-scale scans. The community therefore generally manages with fit functions to the GW spectrum, the most widely used of which is a single broken power law. We provide a more precise fit function based on the sound shell model: our fit function features a double broken power law with two frequency breaks corresponding to the two characteristic length scales of the problem -- inter-bubble spacing and thickness of sound shells, the second of which is neglected in the single broken power law fit. Compared to previously proposed fits, we demonstrate that our fit function more faithfully captures the GW spectrum coming from a full calculation of the sound shell model, over most of the space of the thermodynamic parameters governing the phase transition. The physical origins of the fit parameters and their dependence on the thermodynamic parameters are studied in the underlying sound shell model: in particular, we perform a series of detailed scans for these quantities over the plane of the strength of the phase transition ($\alpha$) and the bubble wall velocity ($v_w$). Wherever possible, we comment on the physical interpretations of these scans. The result of our study can be used to generate accurate GW spectra with our fit function, given initial inputs of $\alpha$, $v_w$, $\beta/H$ (nucleation rate parameter) and $T_n$ (nucleation temperature) for the relevant BSM scenario.