Binary Compact Objects as Astrophysical Sources of Gravitational Waves

致密的物体(中子星或黑洞)可以在自然界中发现，它们位于彼此环绕运行的紧密双星系统中。这类系统预计将发射高频引力辐射，因此被认为是计划在未来几年投入使用的激光干涉仪引力波天文台(LIGO)的极佳候选光源。对这种引力波的天体物理来源的理论研究将由PI和博士后研究员进行，并将解决一些问题：(A)我们感兴趣的双星致密天体在银河系内和银河系外形成的预测频率是多少，这些预测的不确定性是什么，它们对引力波的探测意味着什么，(B)这些双星的物理性质(例如，质量、偏心率、自转、速度)以及如何优化引力波数据分析方法来探测它们。毫无疑问，只有通过广义相对论的探测，才能从根本上证实引力波的存在像LIGO这样的天文台所期待的。双星致密天体的可探测性取决于与源的天体物理性质和天文台的能力有关的许多因素。上述研究将有助于促进我们对最有前景的引力波来源的认识，优化相关的数据分析方法，从而提高LIGO的探测前景。

Compact objects (neutron stars or black holes) can be found in naturein close binary systems orbiting each other. Such systems are expectedto emit gravitational radiation of high frequency and therefore arethought to be excellent source candidates for the Laser InterferometerGravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) planned to become operational inthe next couple of years. Theoretical studies of such astrophysicalsources of gravitational waves will be undertaken by the PI and apostdoctoral fellow, and a number of questions will be addressed: (A) what is the predicted frequency with which binary compact objects ofinterest form in our Galaxy and out to extragalactic distances, whatare the uncertainties of these predictions, and what do they implyabout gravitational-wave detection, (B) what are the physicalproperties of these binaries (e.g., masses, eccentricities, spins,velocities) and how can gravitational-wave data analysis methods beoptimized for their detection.Undoubted confirmation of the existence of gravitational waves asfundamentally predicted by the theory of general relativity can beprovided only by their direct detection, expected by observatories suchas LIGO. The detectability of binary compact objects depends on anumber of factors related both to the astrophysical properties of thesources and the capabilities of the observatory. The research describedabove will contribute to the advancement of our understanding of themost promising gravitational-wave sources, optimize the relevant dataanalysis methods, and therefore improve the detectability prospects forLIGO.