We investigate the ability of ground-based gravitational-wave observatories to detect gravitational-wave lensing events caused by stellar mass lenses. We show that LIGO and Virgo possess the sensitivities required to detect lenses with masses as small as $\sim 30M_{\odot }$ provided that the gravitational wave is observed with a signal-to-noise ratio of $\sim 30$. Third-generation observatories will allow detection of gravitational-wave lenses with masses of $\sim 1M_{\odot }$. Finally, we discuss the possibility of lensing by multiple stars, as is the case if the gravitational radiation is passing through a galactic nucleus or a dense star cluster.

• Received 1 February 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.98.103022