Photon energy upshift by gravitational waves from a compact source

Wang, Charle H.T. and Mendonça, J.T. and Bingham, Robert (2005) Photon energy upshift by gravitational waves from a compact source. arXiv.org, Ithaca, NY. (https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0503296v2)

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Abstract

We consider the propagation of light from an isolated source that also emits gravitational waves. The eikonal approach is employed to determine the transfer of energy from the gravitational to electromagnetic radiation. A mechanism is found in which a photon "surfs" on the gravitational wave. For black hole events, a significant upshift of photon energy can occur according to a power-law buildup over the radial distance. This surprising effect may be responsible for some of the unexplained high energy phenomena in the cosmos involving gamma rays or other astro-particles.