Gravitational waves fromf(R) theory and its detection using spherical antenna

Abstract

Abstract. Gravitational waves generated from a metric f (R) theory of the form f (R) = R + λR 2 are studied. Two solutions for the metric perturbation, one corresponding to massless mode as in General Theory of Relativity and the other a massive mode, are obtained. The massive mode is found to follow non-null geodesics indicating that the gravitational wave arising from such a mode travels with a speed less than that of light. The detection of the massive mode of the gravitational waves using spherical antenna is studied. The response of the antenna to massive modes show better energy sensitivity and high directionality compared to the ordinary gravitational waves from General Theory of Relativity.