Search for gravitationally lensed interstellar transmissions

Fuente: arXiv
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Autore principale: Turyshev, Slava G.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2024
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author Turyshev, Slava G.
author_facet Turyshev, Slava G.
contents We explore interstellar light transmission facilitated by gravitational lensing, focusing on axially-symmetric lensing configurations where the transmitter, lens, and receiver are nearly aligned. Positioning an optical transmitter in the lens's focal region, we investigate the caustic formed by a diffraction-limited annular beam of light emitted by the transmitter. We analyze the impact of the lens's point spread function (PSF) on the projected beam's structure, estimate the power delivered to a receiver at interstellar distances, and assess the major noise sources. We determine detection sensitivity in both noise- and signal-dominated regimes. Considering realistic assumptions about the transmitter's performance, we explore signal detection strategies enhanced by the spatial broadening of the received beam, a result of the transmitting lens's PSF. Our findings indicate that detecting lensed optical signals from nearby stars is achievable using established optical engineering technologies. A network of spatially distributed astronomical facilities capable of observations in multiple narrow spectral bands will enhance the search. Our results support the feasibility of interstellar power transmission via gravitational lensing, directly contributing to ongoing optical SETI efforts.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2404_01201
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Search for gravitationally lensed interstellar transmissions
Turyshev, Slava G.
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
We explore interstellar light transmission facilitated by gravitational lensing, focusing on axially-symmetric lensing configurations where the transmitter, lens, and receiver are nearly aligned. Positioning an optical transmitter in the lens's focal region, we investigate the caustic formed by a diffraction-limited annular beam of light emitted by the transmitter. We analyze the impact of the lens's point spread function (PSF) on the projected beam's structure, estimate the power delivered to a receiver at interstellar distances, and assess the major noise sources. We determine detection sensitivity in both noise- and signal-dominated regimes. Considering realistic assumptions about the transmitter's performance, we explore signal detection strategies enhanced by the spatial broadening of the received beam, a result of the transmitting lens's PSF. Our findings indicate that detecting lensed optical signals from nearby stars is achievable using established optical engineering technologies. A network of spatially distributed astronomical facilities capable of observations in multiple narrow spectral bands will enhance the search. Our results support the feasibility of interstellar power transmission via gravitational lensing, directly contributing to ongoing optical SETI efforts.
title Search for gravitationally lensed interstellar transmissions
topic General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Astrophysics of Galaxies
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.01201