Decoding the cosmos with gravitational waves

用引力波解码宇宙

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-04981
• 负责人: McIver, Jessica
• 金额: $ 2.4万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=740327
• 关键词: Decoding; cosmos; gravitational; waves

Gravitational waves are excellent probes of the inner dynamics of some of the most energetic astrophysical events in the Universe. Generated by asymmetric acceleration of mass, these tiny ripples in the fabric of spacetime interact very weakly with matter, allowing the information imprinted in these signals to travel over billions of light years without distortion from dust or galaxies. This signal clarity offers unprecedented tests of fundamental physics through the laboratory of cosmic collisions and explosions. LIGO-Virgo observations to date have had profound implications for physics at all scales. We have constrained models for hyper-dense neutron stars, provided new insight into the physics of relativistic jets, fundamentally changed our understanding of the origin of heavy elements, and independently measured the rate of expansion of the Universe. The field of gravitational-wave astronomy is now poised for an exciting period of tremendous growth. With planned expansion of the global detector network over the next five years, we are on the precipice of a flood of new gravitational-wave discoveries, which in turn will yield new opportunities for multi-messenger astronomy, cosmology, and increasingly precise tests of general relativity. Critical to the successful extraction of astrophysics from gravitational-wave observations is a deep understanding of gravitational-wave data analysis and interferometer noise, where I am one of the world's leading experts. If funded, my research program will increase the number of confident discoveries the Advanced LIGO detectors will make during the lifetime of the experiment. My group's contributions to detector noise reduction are vital to the scientific output of the entire global LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration. Additionally, our proposed analysis work over the next five years will maximize the science potential of upgrades to existing ground-based gravitational-wave detectors planned for the coming decade and beyond. We will also extend existing analysis techniques to contribute to multi-wavelength GW astronomy by laying the groundwork to search for promising new sources of gravitational-wave signals with space-based detector LISA. This program will firmly establish Canada's central role in the burgeoning field of gravitational wave astronomy. Strong Canadian involvement with the Advanced LIGO detectors and contributions to new gravitational wave detections will in turn will leverage Canadian telescope assets pursuing multi-messenger astronomy. Most importantly, this program will train a new generation of gravitational-wave astrophysicists. HQP trainees will emerge with the expertise needed to advance this frontier of humanity's knowledge of the Universe with future detectors on Earth and in space. In the process, trainees will also acquire highly transferrable data science skills needed to enrich Canada's scientific and industrial frontiers.

引力波是对宇宙中一些最具能量的天体物理事件的内部动力学的极好探测。由质量的不对称加速产生，时空结构中的这些微小涟漪与物质的相互作用非常微弱，允许这些信号中的信息在数十亿光年的距离上传播，而不会受到尘埃或星系的影响。这种信号清晰度通过宇宙碰撞和爆炸实验室对基础物理进行了前所未有的测试。迄今为止，LIGO-Virgo观测对所有尺度的物理学都有着深远的影响。我们有超密度中子星的约束模型，为相对论性喷流的物理学提供了新的见解，从根本上改变了我们对重元素起源的理解，并独立测量了宇宙的膨胀率。 引力波天文学领域现在正处于一个令人兴奋的巨大增长时期。随着未来五年全球探测器网络的计划扩展，我们正处于一系列新引力波发现的边缘，这反过来将为多信使天文学、宇宙学和日益精确的广义相对论测试带来新的机会。从引力波观测中成功提取天体物理学的关键是对引力波数据分析和干涉仪噪声的深刻理解，我是世界领先的专家之一。 如果获得资助，我的研究计划将增加先进LIGO探测器在实验寿命期间的可靠发现数量。我的团队对探测器降噪的贡献对于整个全球LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA合作的科学产出至关重要。此外，我们在未来五年内提出的分析工作将最大限度地提高计划在未来十年及以后升级现有地基引力波探测器的科学潜力。我们还将扩展现有的分析技术，为多波长GW天文学做出贡献，为使用天基探测器丽莎寻找有前途的新引力波信号源奠定基础。 该计划将牢固确立加拿大在新兴的引力波天文学领域的核心作用。加拿大对先进LIGO探测器的大力参与和对新引力波探测的贡献将反过来利用加拿大望远镜资产追求多信使天文学。 最重要的是，这个项目将培养新一代的引力波天体物理学家。HQP学员将具备所需的专业知识，以推动人类对宇宙的知识前沿与未来的探测器在地球和太空。在此过程中，学员还将获得丰富加拿大科学和工业前沿所需的高度可转移的数据科学技能。