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arXiv · 2507.09543

Distinguishing gravity theories with networks of space-based gravitational-wave detectors

Bo Mu·Zong-Kuan Guo
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Abstract

We propose a method for separating and detecting the non-tensor modes of stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds (SGWBs) using networks of space-based gravitational-wave detectors. We consider four distinct data-reconstruction schemes for the co-inclination and anti-inclination orbital configurations of the LISA-Taiji network. We find that the co-inclination configuration offers its advantages over the anti-inclination one and can achieve signal-to-noise ratios up to 17.3 for the vector modes and 10.4 for the scalar modes with the energy density spectrum as $\Omega_{GW}^p(f)=10^{-12}$. Our method can be used to measure beyond-general-relativity polarization modes of SGWBs at mHz frequency band, opening a new avenue for testing alternative gravity theories.

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Bo Mu, Zong-Kuan Guo. 2025-07-13. Distinguishing gravity theories with networks of space-based gravitational-wave detectors. https://doi.org/10.1103/bmh8-nyrw

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