Connecting Astrophysics and Fundamental Physics

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The astrophysics of stars and compact objects (neutron stars, white dwarfs and black holes) constrain fundamental physics in crucial and unique ways. Furthermore, over the past several years astronomers and physicists have opened two new windows onto the Universe: gravitational radiation and neutrinos. In the near future astronomers will be able to probe the Universe with x-ray polarimetry. I propose several lines of research that exploit these unique and timely opportunities. In particular I propose a series of studies to probe the properties of weakly interacting particles in stars in globular clusters: both theoretical and observational investigations. Second I propose to develop techniques to constrain the neutron star equation of state using a combination of x-ray polarimetry, timing and spectroscopy including the effects of QED birefringence that produces unique signatures on the polarization of x-ray radiation from neutron stars. The third direction is gravitational. In particular I will explore how electromagnetic observations can best probe the properties of accreting black holes.