Collaborative Research: Theoretical-Computational Network for Extracting Astrophysics and Fundamental Physics from Multi-Messenger Observations of Compact Objects

该项目将建立一个理论和计算天体物理网络，主要节点在加州理工学院、锡拉丘兹大学、康奈尔大学和华盛顿大学，以推进紧密天体双星合并和恒星坍缩的理论。未来几年，先进激光干涉仪引力波天文台有望探测到这类事件产生的引力波。该网络团队的目标是开发理论和计算工具，从引力波和电磁观测中提取致密核物质的状态方程，并确定紧凑物体合并对轻元素和重元素合成的影响。该团队将结合其在数值相对论、核天体物理学和引力波探测方面的专业知识：(1)开发一个开源的下一代相对论天体物理学计算框架；(2)提高对核状态方程的理论认识，计算不同温度和成分下的大量状态方程；(3)改进合并和坍缩模拟中核反应的计算处理；(4)发展参数估计技术，从多信使观测中提取状态方程信息。该网络将通过研究生和博士后的参与促进科学劳动力的发展，他们将接受建模、微物理和多信使观测方面的跨学科培训。将通过YouTube传播带有可视化的外展视频和对项目科学家的采访，以增进公众的了解。

This project will create a Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Network with major nodes at the California Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, Cornell University, and the University of Washington to advance the theory of merging compact-object binaries and stellar collapse. Gravitational waves from these types of events are expected to be detected by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in coming years. The network team's goals are to develop the theoretical and computational tools needed to extract the equation of state of dense nuclear matter from gravitational wave and electromagnetic observations, and to determine the impact of compact-object mergers on the synthesis of light and heavy elements. The team will combine its expertise in numerical relativity, nuclear astrophysics, and gravitational wave detection to (1) develop an open-source, next-generation relativistic astrophysics computation framework; (2) improve the theoretical understanding of the nuclear equation of state and compute a large ensemble of equations of state for different temperatures and compositions; (3) improve the computational treatment of nuclear reactions in merger and collapse simulations; and (4) develop parameter estimation techniques to extract information on the equation of state from multi-messenger observations. The network will contribute to scientific workforce development through the involvement of graduate students and postdocs, who will receive cross-disciplinary training in modeling, microphysics, and multi-messenger observations. Outreach videos with visualizations and interviews with project scientists will be disseminated via YouTube to enhance public understanding.