Gravitational Wave Lensing: Current Searches and Future Prospects

Explore the fascinating intersection of gravitational waves and lensing in this comprehensive lecture from the Workshop on "Lensing and Wave Optics in Strong Gravity." Delve into how gravitational lensing, a phenomenon where matter acts as a cosmic magnifying glass, has revolutionized our understanding of dark matter, distant galaxies, and exoplanets. Learn about the emerging field of gravitational wave lensing, which promises to test gravity in the wave-optics regime, investigate dark matter substructure, and discover new black hole populations in the early Universe. Examine current search methodologies, including the analysis of repeated chirps from strongly lensed sources and signals distorted by compact lenses. Gain insights into both the challenges and opportunities surrounding the anticipated first detection of gravitational wave lensing, while understanding the fundamental principles that make these waves uniquely suited for lensing studies due to their well-understood waveforms and large wavelengths.