Binary Compact Objects as Astrophysical Sources of Gravitational Waves

致密天体（中子星或黑洞）在自然界中可以在相互环绕的紧密双星系统中找到。这样的系统预计会发射出高频的引力辐射，因此被认为是激光干涉引力波天文台（LIGO）的极好候选源，LIGO计划在未来几年投入使用。这些引力波天体物理源的理论研究将由PI和博士后承担，并将解决以下几个问题：(A)我们感兴趣的双星致密天体在银河系和银河系外距离形成的预测频率是多少，这些预测的不确定性是什么，它们对引力波探测意味着什么，(B)这些双星的物理特性是什么（例如，质量，离心率，自旋，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，广义相对论所预言的引力波的存在，只能由LIGO等天文台直接探测到。二元致密天体的可探测性取决于与源的天体物理特性和天文台的能力有关的许多因素。上述研究将有助于我们进一步了解最有希望的引力波源，优化相关数据分析方法，从而提高ligo的可探测性前景。

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.