Exploring Extreme Black Hole Binaries

该奖项继续支持罗切斯特理工学院（RIT）的一项研究计划，以模拟高度非线性状态下的黑洞双星合并。研究将集中在二进制在技术上困难的小质量比，高自旋和高旋进制度，这需要在代码优化，规范条件，初始数据生成和混合数值/微扰技术的新发展。随着这些发展，该代码将用于生成大量的极端双星的模拟，以产生足够精确的波形，用于LIGO/Virgo数据分析，比较和验证后牛顿近似波形，并模拟黑洞合并的天体物理后果。该项目将直接受益于地面引力波探测器，如LIGO和Virgo，数值注入分析（NINJA）项目，以了解数据分析师如何恢复数值生成的波形，以及天文学家寻找合并和双星以及反冲黑洞的观测结果的天体物理学新领域。最近的计算突破，部分由于RIT团队的贡献，最终允许数值相对主义者有效地解决合并双星的爱因斯坦方程，并使强场区域的引力波天文学成为可能。引力波天文学有望提供一种革命性的新宇宙观，与电磁观点相辅相成。此外，该奖项将通过为博士后和学生提供培训和指导机会，大大提高RIT的研究工作。该奖项还将允许继续开展教育和公共宣传活动，包括旨在向弱势群体和代表性不足群体的青年介绍令人兴奋的科学发展以及该研究所和其他地方学院提供的机会的计划。

This award continues support for a research program at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to model merging black-hole binaries in the highly-nonlinear regime. Research will concentrate on binaries in the technically difficult small-mass-ratio, highly-spinning, and highly-precessing regimes, that requires new developments in code optimization, gauge conditions, initial data generation, and hybrid numerical / perturbative techniques. With these developments, the code will be used to generate a large number of simulations of extreme binaries in order to produce waveforms of sufficient accuracy for LIGO/Virgo data analysis, comparison and validation of Post-Newtonian approximate waveforms, and to model the astrophysical consequences of black-hole mergers. This project will directly benefit ground based gravitational wave detectors such as LIGO and Virgo, the Numerical INjection Analysis (NINJA) project to see how well numerically generated waveforms can be recovered by data analysts, and an emerging new field in astrophysics where astronomers search for the observational consequences of merging and binaries and recoiling black holes.Recent computational breakthroughs, due in part to the contributions of the RIT team, have finally allowed numerical relativists to efficiently solve the Einstein equations for coalescing binaries, and has made gravitational-wave astronomy in the strong-field regime possible. Gravitational-wave astronomy promises to provide a revolutionary new view of the universe, complementary to the electromagnetic perspective. In addition, this award will be used to greatly enhance the research effort at RIT as a whole by providing training and mentoring opportunities for postdocs and students. This award will also allow continuation of activities in education and public outreach, including programs designed to introduce youths from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups to exciting scientific developments and the opportunities offered by the Institute and other local colleges.