Detection of Gravitational Waves using Parametric Resonance in Bose-Einstein Condensates

Abstract: An interesting proposal for detecting gravitational waves involves quantum metrology of Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). We consider a forced modulation of the BEC trap, whose frequency matches that of an incoming continuous gravitational wave. The trap modulation induces parametric resonance in the BEC, which in turn enhances sensitivity of the BEC to gravitational waves. We find that such a BEC detector could potentially be used to detect gravitational waves across several orders of magnitude in frequency, with the sensitivity depending on the speed of sound, size of the condensate, and frequency of the phonons. We outline a possible BEC experiment and discuss the current technological limitations. We also comment on the potential noise sources as well as what is necessary for such a detector to become feasible.