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Detecting Tidal Resonances in Binary Neutron Stars

Fabian Gittins1,2, Harsh Narola1,2, Thibeau Wouters1,2, Peter T. H. Pang2,1, Tanja Hinderer3, and Chris Van Den Broeck1,2

  • 1Institute for Gravitational and Subatomic Physics, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 1, 3584 CC Utrecht, Netherlands
  • 2Nikhef, Science Park 105, 1098 XG Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 3Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, Netherlands

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 191402 – Published 2 November, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/51xv-gfy9

Abstract

As a binary neutron star inspirals due to the emission of gravitational waves, the rising tidal frequency resonantly excites vibrational modes. These oscillations are seismological probes of the rich stellar interior, yet it remains to be established whether gravitational-wave interferometers can measure them. Here, we present the first fully Bayesian study of the capability of the Einstein Telescope to detect tidal resonances. We simulate one year of observations and analyze the 200 loudest signals. We find that the Einstein Telescope can identify resonant modes and is sensitive to gravitational-wave phase shifts as small as ΔΦ≈0.03 for favorable events. We further show that neglecting resonances can bias the inferred tidal deformabilities. These results establish tidal resonances as a measurable route for asteroseismology with future detectors.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 191402– Published 2 November, 2026
  • Received 29 May 2026
  • Accepted 10 September 2026
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