Gravitational Lensing of Gravitational Waves

Dear Colleagues,

Since the first detection of gravitational waves from coalescing black holes in a black hole binary system and the first detection of gravitational wave signal from binary neutron star merger, astronomy entered a new stage of multi-messenger observations. Our knowledge concerning the Universe and phenomena occurring in it based on electromagnetic signals (supplemented by detections of neutrino signals and very high-energy cosmic particles) obtained a unique chance to be completed by complementary and independent observations performed within gravitational wave window. Increased sensitivity of the future third-generation gravitational wave detectors, such as Einstein Telescope or Cosmic Explorer, supported by future space-borne interferometers such as LISA or DECIGO, will make it possible to probe the volume of the Universe's order of magnitudes already larger than accessible for the current LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detectors. Therefore, in the near future, one would routinely observe hundreds of thousands of gravitational wave signals from double compact object mergers per year, thereby raising gravitational wave astronomy to the next level. Such impressive statistics create the opportunity for a number of detected gravitational wave signals to be recognized as gravitationally lensed (the case of the Refsdal Supernova strongly supports such expectations). For example, detailed analysis suggests that the Einstein Telescope or Cosmic Explorer is expected to register lensed gravitational wave signals at 50-100 events per year, and the expected rate of detecting such events by DECIGO is at the level of about 50 lensed GW signals per year. In this light, new research opportunities become realistic. This is a perfect time to get prepared and recognize properly the expectations, standards and perhaps peculiarities of strong lensing of gravitational waves.

This Special Issue is devoted to discussing gravitational lensing of gravitational waves and its use as a unique tool in testing physics at the fundamental level. In this context, we invite you to present your recent results addressing this problem. Original research articles and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.

Dr. Aleksandra Piórkowska-Kurpas
Dr. Shuo Cao
Guest Editors

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