Gravitational Waves and Electromagnetic Coupling: Circular Polarization and Observable Effects


Manzoor R., Siddiqa A., Shabir S., Kamal A., GÜDEKLİ E.

FORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK-PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, cilt.74, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 74 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1002/prop.70071
  • Dergi Adı: FORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK-PROGRESS OF PHYSICS
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, INSPEC, MathSciNet, zbMATH
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: electromagnetism, gravitational waves, harmonic and circular wave propagation
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

In this work, the interaction of circularly polarized gravitational waves (GWs) with electromagnetic (EM) fields. Circular perturbations of spacetime are assumed and the perturbed Maxwell equations are used as the starting point for all governing relations. Within this framework, modified evolution equations for the electric and magnetic fields, charge density, and the EM stress-energy tensor are derived. The results show that the GW amplitude h(c) plays a central role. It determines the strength of oscillations in the charge density, controls the redistribution of stored EM energy, and modifies the flux of energy through both electric and magnetic sectors. The charge density acquires synchronized oscillations with the GW, while circular polarization produces a helical modulation pattern that directly reflects the GW helicity. The electric and magnetic fields show both static amplifications and oscillatory modulations, and the energy flux exhibits variations that depend on polarization. As h(c) increases, the deviations from the unperturbed fields become more pronounced, leading to enhanced oscillations, stronger non-linear growth, and richer sideband structures in polarization dynamics. In general, this study provides a consistent and extended framework for understanding how GWs leave signatures on EM systems. The results suggest that even weak GWs imprint detectable modulations, while stronger perturbations reshape EM energy flow in a distinctive way. Such GW and EM couplings open up complementary possibilities for probing spacetime perturbations, with relevance to both astrophysical environments and controlled laboratory experiments designed for precision measurements.