Long conductors as antennae for gravitational radiation

Abstract

To date, the antennae used in the search for gravitational radiation have been mechanical in nature, that is they involve the detection of small displacements or strains in mechanical systems. Here we demonstrate that a conceptually simple system of two long conducting wires of different metallic composition constitutes, in principle, a non-mechanical antenna for gravitational radiation, and that if the conductors are sufficiently long such a system may be of practical use. Very briefly, the principle of operation of the system is that gravitational radiation produces a greater force on the ions in a metal than on the electrons, which, to preserve charge neutrality, necessitates a compensating electric field which is, in principle, detectable.