Finite-size dark matter lenses weaken GW bounds but remain testable with current LIGO-Virgo data
Kim et al. quantify how finite-size diffraction alters GW lensing by dark solitons and stars, showing current detectors still constrain 10^2-10^5 M_sun objects. The work bridges wave-optics calculations with concrete microphysical models and highlights an under-appreciated mass window. Future observatories will expand this reach substantially.
Next-generation detectors (Cosmic Explorer, Einstein Telescope) will push sensitivity below 10 solar masses and above 10^6 solar masses, mapping microphysical parameters such as axion decay constants or dissipative coupling strengths. A single high-SNR event with measurable diffraction could falsify entire classes of extended-dark-object models within the next observing run if waveform residuals exceed current template mismatch thresholds.
LIGO-Virgo: No statistically significant finite-size diffraction signature in O5 catalog above SNR 20 by end of 2027
Sources (2)
- [1]Primary Source(https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.13369)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.104.063033)