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Observational constraints on the nonlinear regime of gravity with a parametrized beyond-GR gravitational waveform model

Daiki Watarai1,2,*, Atsushi Nishizawa3,4, Hiroki Takeda5,6, Hayato Imafuku1,2, and Kipp Cannon2

  • 1Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
  • 2Research Center for the Early Universe (RESCEU), Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
  • 3Physics Program, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
  • 4Astrophysical Science Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
  • 5The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
  • 6Department of Physics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan

  • *Contact author: wataraidaiki@resceu.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Phys. Rev. D 113, 024015 – Published 7 January, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/tskz-hmrp

Abstract

Gravitational waves from compact binary coalescences provide unique opportunities to test general relativity (GR) in the strong-field regime. In particular, the merger phase, during which two compact objects finally coalesce, corresponds to the regime of the strongest gravitational fields accessible by direct observation and thus serves as a probe of the nonlinear nature of gravity. In this work, we test GR in the merger phase by analyzing GW150914 using a modified waveform proposed in Watarai et al. [Phys. Rev. D 109, 084058 (2024).], which parametrizes possible deviations from GR during this stage. Within this framework, the inferred deviation parameters can be translated into model-independent constraints on physically meaningful quantities. For GW150914, we find that the additional energy radiated in the merger phase is constrained to be 0.26−0.62+0.75% of the total energy emitted over the entire coalescence predicted by GR, and the peak time shift due to beyond-GR effects is 2.17−9.90+9.56  ms, both within the 90% credible interval. These two constraints serve as observational benchmarks for deviations in the nonlinear gravity regime, offering guidance for theoretical investigations of beyond-GR models.

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Phys. Rev. D 113, 024015– Published 7 January, 2026
  • Received 29 September 2025
  • Accepted 17 December 2025
Article part of CHORUS
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