Precision cosmology from future lensed gravitational wave and electromagnetic signals. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liao, Kai; Fan, Xi-Long; Ding, Xuheng; Biesiada, Marek; Zhu, Zong-Hong
• Is Part Of: Nature communications. Volume 8:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 6
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01152-9
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-1723

Abstract

Abstract The standard siren approach of gravitational wave cosmology appeals to the direct luminosity distance estimation through the waveform signals from inspiralling double compact binaries, especially those with electromagnetic counterparts providing redshifts. It is limited by the calibration uncertainties in strain amplitude and relies on the fine details of the waveform. The Einstein telescope is expected to produce 104 –105 gravitational wave detections per year, 50–100 of which will be lensed. Here, we report a waveform-independent strategy to achieve precise cosmography by combining the accurately measured time delays from strongly lensed gravitational wave signals with the images and redshifts observed in the electromagnetic domain. We demonstrate that just 10 such systems can provide a Hubble constant uncertainty of 0.68% for a flat lambda cold dark matter universe in the era of third-generation ground-based detectors. Gravitational wave sources can be used as cosmological probes through a direct distance luminosity relation. Here, the authors demonstrate that the time delay between lensed gravitational wave signals and their electromagnetic counterparts can reduce the uncertainty in the Hubble constant.