Binary Compact Objects as Astrophysical Sources of Gravitational Waves

致密天体（中子星或黑洞）可以在自然界中发现，它们是相互环绕的紧密双星系统。这样的系统预计会发出高频率的引力辐射，因此被认为是计划在未来几年内投入使用的激光干涉引力波天文台（LIGO）的最佳候选源。PI和博士后研究员将对引力波的这种天体物理学来源进行理论研究，并将解决一些问题：（A）在我们的银河系和银河系外的距离内，我们所关心的致密双星形成的预测频率是多少，这些预测的不确定性是什么，它们对引力波探测有什么影响，（B）这些二进制文件的物理属性是什么（例如，引力波是一个复杂的问题（质量、偏心率、自旋、速度），以及如何优化引力波数据分析方法来探测引力波。引力波的存在正如广义相对论所预言的那样，只有通过像LIGO这样的天文台所期望的直接探测才能得到毫无疑问的证实。致密双星的可探测性取决于与该天体的天体物理性质和观测台的能力有关的若干因素。上述研究将有助于加深对最有希望的引力波源的认识，优化相关的数据分析方法，从而改善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.