Searching stochastic gravitational wave background landscape across frequency bands
Phys. Rev. D 113, 122003 – Published 10 June, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/clps-8322
Abstract
Gravitational wave (GW) astrophysics is entering a multiband era with upcoming GW detectors, enabling detailed mapping of the stochastic GW background across vast frequencies. We highlight this potential via a new physics scenario: hybrid topological defects from a two-step phase transition separated by inflation. We develop a general pipeline to analyze experimental exclusions and apply it to this model. The model offers a possible explanation of the pulsar timing array signal at low frequencies, and future experiments (LISA/Cosmic Explorer/Einstein Telescope) will confirm or rule it out via the higher-frequency probes, showcasing the power of multiband constraints.
