Theoretical gravitational-wave physics

这一引力物理学研究项目主要是为了支持激光干涉引力波天文台（LIGO）。 它将是理论性的，尽管在许多方面与实验密切相关。 在LIGO仪器和精密测量方面，该项目旨在阐明进一步提高LIGO干涉仪灵敏度的方法，支持Advanced LIGO的研发活动，并探索未来的引力波干涉仪如何用于探测宏观物体的量子力学行为。 在引力波探测方法中，该提案将进一步探索由PI和Seiji Kawamura共同发明的方案，该方案避免了环境对测试质量的局部干扰，同时保留了引力波信号。 在引力波数据分析方面，该项目通过纳入数值相对论的最新结果，并通过最佳组合来自全球探测器网络的数据，寻求提高致密双星系统（由黑洞和/或中子星组成）可探测性的战略。 在量子重力现象学方面，该项目将探讨利用天文观测寻找量子泡沫的可能性，该项目将通过促进仪器的短期和长期改进以及优化数据分析战略，增加重力波天文学的科学产出;它将制定策略，最终导致实验证明，（或反证）量子力学定律也适用于宏观（人类大小）物体;它将探索是否以及如何测量时空中的基本量子波动。 该项目还将产生以下更广泛的影响：（i）它将成为年轻理论物理学家的培训基地，通过解决广泛的物理问题，从实验设计到数据分析，再到广义相对论的理论方法。(ii)PI将承担加州理工学院的教学责任。他计划更新他协助索恩创建的引力波科学网络课程。这门课程帮助培养了加州理工学院和其他大学和研究所的研究生，并使世界各地的科学家和工程师都能接触到引力波科学。(iii)PI将与德国、日本、俄罗斯和中国的科学家合作开展研究。特别是，PI希望成为中国引力波计划的主要顾问。

This research project in gravitational physics is largely in support of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). It will be theoretical, although in many aspects closely related to experiment. In LIGO instrumentation and precision measurement, this project seeks to shed light on approaches to further improve the sensitivity of LIGO interferometers beyond Advanced LIGO, support R&D activities of Advanced LIGO, and explore how future gravitational-wave interferometers can be used to probe quantum mechanical behavior of macroscopic objects. In gravitational-wave-detection methodology, this proposal will further explore a scheme co-invented by the PI and Seiji Kawamura, which circumvents local disturbances to the test masses imposed by the environment, while retaining gravitational-wave signals. In gravitational-wave data analysis, this project seeks strategies that improve the detectability of compact binary systems (consisting black holes and/or neutron stars) by incorporating recent results from numerical relativity, and by optimally combining data from a global network of detectors. In quantum-gravity phenomenology, this project will explore possibilities of searching for quantum foams using astronomical observations.This project will increase the scientific output of gravitational-wave astronomy by contributing to the short- and long-term improvement of instruments, and by optimizing data analysis strategies; it will formulate strategies that will eventually lead to the experimental proof (or disproof) that quantum mechanical laws also apply to macroscopic (human-sized) objects; it will explore whether and how fundamental quantum fluctuations in space-time can be measured. This project will also have the following broader impacts: (i) It will serve as a training ground for young theoretical physicists, through solving a broad range of physics problems, from experimental design, to data analysis, to theoretical methods in general relativity. (ii) The PI will assume teaching responsibility at Caltech. He plans to update the web-based course in gravitational-wave science that he assisted Thorne in creating. This course has helped train graduate students at Caltech and other universities and institutes, and has made gravitational-wave science accessible to scientists and engineers throughout the world. (iii) The PI will carry out research in collaboration with scientists in Germany, Japan, Russia and China. In particular, the PI expect to serve as a major consultant to the Chinese gravitational-wave program.