SETI & Technosignatures

Search For Gravitationally Lensed Interstellar Transmissions

By Keith Cowing

Status Report

astro-ph.IM

April 2, 2024

Filed under astro-ph.IM, astronomy, gravitational lensing, Interstellar, interstellar power transmission, SETI

Search For Gravitationally Lensed Interstellar Transmissions — Left: amplification and PSF pattern of the transmitting lens (9) projected on the solar system plotted for two wavelengths. The solid line represents λ = 1.0 µm, the dotted line is for λ = 2.0 µm. Right: a three-dimensional representation of the PSF in the image plane for λ = 1.0 µm with the peak corresponding to direction along the transmitter-lens line. — gr-qc

We consider interstellar light transmission aided by a gravitational lens. We find that optimal reception efficiency occurs in lensing geometries where the transmitter, lens, and receiver are nearly aligned.

We explore various signal detection strategies, employing both existing and emerging technologies. With this study, our understanding of interstellar power transmission via gravitational lensing has significantly progressed.

We observe that detection signals from nearby stars, may leverage established photonics and optical engineering technologies, and networks of collaborative astronomical facilities.

Our findings support the feasibility of interstellar power transmission via gravitational lensing, directly contributing to the ongoing optical SETI efforts.

Slava G. Turyshev

Comments: 8 pages, 3 figures
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc); Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA); Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM)
Cite as: arXiv:2404.01201 [gr-qc] (or arXiv:2404.01201v1 [gr-qc] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2404.01201
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Submission history
From: Slava G. Turyshev
[v1] Mon, 1 Apr 2024 15:57:57 UTC (841 KB)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.01201
Astrobiology, SETI, Interstellar,

Keith Cowing

Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Station Payload manager/space biologist, Away Teams, Journalist, Lapsed climber, Synaesthete, Na’Vi-Jedi-Freman-Buddhist-mix, ASL, Devon Island and Everest Base Camp veteran, (he/him) 🖖🏻

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