CAREER: Gravitational-Wave Science, from Macroscopic Quantum Mechanics to Strong-Field General Relativity

职业：引力波科学，从宏观量子力学到强场广义相对论

• 批准号: 0956189
• 负责人: Yanbei Chen
• 金额: $ 67.5万
• 依托单位: California Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-07-01 至 2015-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0956189&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CAREER; Gravitational; Wave; Science; Macroscopic

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 experiments. In LIGO instrumentation, this project seeks to finalize the optical-configuration design of LIGO detectors after the successful initial operation of Advanced LIGO; it will also critically evaluate optical configurations for third-generation detectors, the next major upgrade to LIGO, while continue to generate new ideas. This project will continue to study how gravitational-wave experiments will probe quantum mechanical behavior of macroscopic objects. In gravitational-wave data analysis, this project seeks strategies that enable fast detection of compact binary systems (consisting black holes and/or neutron stars) by incorporating advanced signal-processing techniques. In general relativity theory, this project seeks to shed light on the dynamics of the highly curved space-time of binary black-hole mergers. This project will increase the scientific output of gravitational-wave astronomy by contributing to the short- and long-term improvement of instruments, by optimizing data analysis strategies, and by improving understandings of gravitational-wave sources. It will eventually lead to the experimental proof (or disproof) that quantum mechanical laws also apply to macroscopic (human-sized) objects. 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 problems. (ii) The PI will assume teaching responsibility at Caltech. He plans to update the web-based course in gravitational-wave science that he assisted Professor Kip 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) Through cooperation with Glendale Community College, results of cutting-edge research in gravitational-wave science will be communicated to a diverse student body; participation of research projects by students with stronger math and physics background will encourage them to pursue a career in science and engineering. Through web pages and demonstration programs, gravitational-wave science will be communicated to a broader audience in the general public. (iv) The PI will carry out research in collaboration with scientists in Germany, Australia, Japan, and Russia. These collaborations will strongly influence the design of the European third-generation gravitational-wave detector, the Einstein Telescope, and maximize scientific output of prototype detectors in Australia and Japan.

这个引力物理研究项目主要是为了支持激光干涉仪引力波天文台（LIGO）。 尽管在许多方面与实验密切相关，但这将是理论上的。 在 LIGO 仪器方面，该项目力求在 Advanced LIGO 首次成功运行后最终确定 LIGO 探测器的光学配置设计；它还将严格评估第三代探测器（LIGO 的下一个重大升级）的光学配置，同时继续产生新的想法。 该项目将继续研究引力波实验如何探测宏观物体的量子力学行为。 在引力波数据分析中，该项目寻求通过结合先进的信号处理技术来快速检测紧凑双星系统（由黑洞和/或中子星组成）的策略。 在广义相对论中，该项目旨在揭示双黑洞合并的高度弯曲时空的动力学。该项目将通过促进仪器的短期和长期改进、优化数据分析策略以及增进对引力波源的理解来增加引力波天文学的科学产出。它最终将导致实验证明（或反驳）量子力学定律也适用于宏观（人类大小）物体。 该项目还将产生以下更广泛的影响：（i）它将通过解决广泛的问题，成为年轻理论物理学家的培训基地。 (ii) PI 将承担加州理工学院的教学责任。他计划更新他协助基普·索恩教授创建的引力波科学网络课程。该课程帮助培训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能够了解引力波科学。 (iii) 通过与格伦代尔社区学院合作，引力波科学的前沿研究成果将传播给多元化的学生群体；具有较强数学和物理背景的学生参与研究项目将鼓励他们从事科学和工程职业。通过网页和演示项目，引力波科学将向更广泛的公众传播。 (iv) PI将与德国、澳大利亚、日本和俄罗斯的科学家合作开展研究。 这些合作将极大地影响欧洲第三代引力波探测器爱因斯坦望远镜的设计，并最大限度地提高澳大利亚和日本原型探测器的科学产出。