Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics: Getting Ready for the Advanced LIGO Era

该奖项通过引力波数据分析、引力波源建模和解释，支持对来自具有两个紧凑物体（黑洞或中子星）的双星的引力波（GW）信号进行天体物理解释的项目。拟议的工作重点是开发一个具体的框架，用于处理GW检测（或事件率上限），以提取最大的可用天体物理信息的二进制紧凑的对象与任何质量和自旋配置。具体而言，有以下三个主要研究项目作为目标：（一）利用先进的应用数学方法，包括改进算法和计算工具，估计具有两个紧凑物体的双星的参数，以便我们能够测量黑洞和中子星的质量和自旋，并确定它们在天空中的GW发射，从而我们能够了解它们的物理起源;（ii）发展一个定量框架，利用GW事件率推导出对致密天体双星形成和演化的天体物理学模型的限制;（iii）对多个GW探测和相关的质量和自旋测量进行天体物理学解释，定量说明GW观测偏差和选择效应。此外，参与公众宣传活动的目的是加强天文学和GW物理学之间的联系，重点是向公众解释GW源的形成的项目。恒星和双星系统的演化、中子星星和黑洞的形成、伽马射线爆发、球状星团和银河系中心的恒星动力学，因为在未来几年里，LIGO观测可以为天文学和天体物理学中一些长期存在的问题提供独特可靠的答案。待开发的计算工具将在LSC内部和外部提供，因此可以使其他LSC项目受益，并增强其他科学和工程背景下参数估计的研究基础设施。外联活动利用与阿德勒天文馆天文博物馆的现有合作，每年有数十万游客;这种联系确保了研究理解在芝加哥大都市区的多样化城市环境中的广泛传播。我们的小组也有积极的历史和兴趣，让本科生参与研究项目，并促进在辅导和指导同行学习的框架。

This award supports projects in the area of astrophysical interpretation of gravitational-wave (GW) signals from binaries with two compact objects, black holes or neutron stars, through both GW data analysis, GW source modeling and interpretation. The proposed work focuses on developing a concrete framework for the processing of GW detections (or event rate upper limits) in order to extract the maximal available astrophysical information for binaries with compact objects with any mass and spin configuration. Specifically the following three main research projects are targeted: (i) parameter estimation for binaries with two compact objects using advanced applied mathematics methods, including the advancement of algorithms and computational tools, so that we can measure masses and spins of black holes and neutron stars and localize their GW emission on the sky so we can understand their physical origin; (ii) development of a quantitative framework for using GW event rates to derive constraints on astrophysical models of compact-object binary formation and evolution; and (iii) the astrophysical interpretation of multiple GW detections and associated mass and spin measurements, accounting quantitatively for GW observational biases and selection effects. Furthermore, the involvement in public outreach activities is intended to strengthen the connection between astronomy and GW physics, by focusing on projects that explain the formation of GW sources to the public.This work is of interest to the broader community of compact-object astrophysics in a wide range of contexts: e.g., stellar and binary system evolution, neutron star and black hole formation, gamma-ray bursts, stellar dynamics of globular clusters and galactic centers, as in the coming years LIGO observations can provide uniquely reliable answers to some of the long-standing questions in astronomy and astrophysics. The computational tools to be developed will be made available within and outside the LSC, and hence can benefit other LSC projects and enhance the research infrastructure for parameter estimation in other scientific and engineering contexts. Outreach activities take advantage of the existing collaboration with the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum with hundreds of thousands of visitors per year; this connection ensures the broad dissemination of research understanding in the diverse, urban environment of the Chicago metropolitan area. Our group also has an active history and interest in involving undergraduate students in research projects and promotes a framework of peer learning in tutoring and mentoring.