MSc. Rosy Caliri and MSc. Yu Chen

T a l k : 20. November 2025

Gravitational waves and strong phase transitions

Gravitational waves serve as a promising probe of cosmological first-order phase transitions in the early Universe. In the first part, we present the fundamental dynamics of such strong phase transitions. Then, beginning with the linearized Einstein equations, we show that a non-vanishing mass quadrupole moment acts as a source of gravitational radiation. We then discuss the generation of gravitational waves from first-order phase transitions and their detectability by current and forthcoming observatories, including ground-based interferometers such as Virgo, space-based missions such as LISA, and pulsar timing arrays.