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

该项目将创建一个理论和计算天体物理学网络，其主要节点位于加州理工学院、雪城大学、康奈尔大学和华盛顿大学，以推进致密天体双星合并和恒星坍缩的理论。预计未来几年先进激光干涉仪引力波天文台将探测到此类事件产生的引力波。该网络团队的目标是开发从引力波和电磁观测中提取致密核物质的状态方程所需的理论和计算工具，并确定致密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，以（1）开发开源的下一代相对论天体物理计算框架； （2）提高对核状态方程的理论理解，并计算不同温度和成分的大型状态方程系综； (3) 改进合并和塌缩模拟中核反应的计算处理； (4) 开发参数估计技术，从多信使观测中提取状态方程的信息。该网络将通过研究生和博士后的参与，为科学劳动力的发展做出贡献，他们将接受建模、微观物理学和多信使观测方面的跨学科培训。包含可视化内容和项目科学家访谈的外展视频将通过 YouTube 传播，以增强公众的理解。

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.