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Gravitational radiation from binary systems in alternative metric theories of gravity - Dipole radiation and the binary pulsarThe generation of gravitational radiation in several currently viable metric theories of gravitation (Brans-Dicke, Rosen, Ni, and Lightman-Lee) is analyzed, and it is shown that these theories predict the emission of dipole gravitational radiation from systems containing gravitationally bound objects. In the binary system PSR 1913 + 16, this radiation results in a secular change in the orbital period of the system with a nominal magnitude of 3 parts in 100,000 per year. The size of the effect is proportional to the reduced mass of the system, to the square of the difference in (self-gravitational energy)/(mass) between the two components of the system, and to a parameter, xi, whose value varies from theory to theory. In general relativity xi equals 0, in Rosen's (1973) theory xi equals -20/3, and in Ni's (1973) theory xi equals -400/3. The current upper limit on such a secular period change is one part in 1 million per year. It is shown that further observations of the binary system that tighten this limit and that establish the masses of the components and the identity of the companion may provide a crucial test of otherwise viable alternatives to general relativity.
Document ID
19770052262
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Will, C. M.
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
June 15, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
77A35114
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7204
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF MPS-74-15524-A01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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