Improved Initial Data for Black-Hole Binaries

本研究旨在构建一个天体物理上真实的近距离双星系统中一对黑洞的初始数据。该数据代表了双星系统在某一时刻的状态，是确定系统演化的必要起点。本文将探讨构建初始数据的两种新方法。这两种方法都在数据中建立了系统几乎处于平衡状态的想法。然而，这两种方法在如何处理黑洞本身方面存在巨大差异。一对绕轨道运行的黑洞的碰撞是一个引人注目的事件，我们希望很快能在像LIGO这样的引力波天文台中探测到。从双黑洞初始数据开始的模拟，将为解释LIGO获得的大部分数据提供理论基础。LIGO对黑洞的探测将为黑洞的存在提供最直接的证据，并为探索宇宙打开一扇令人兴奋的新窗口。

This research seeks to construct the initial data for a pair of blackholes in an astrophysically realistic close binary system. This datarepresents the state of the binary system at an instant of time, andis the necessary starting point for determining the evolution of thesystem. Two new approaches for constructing the initial data will beexplored. Both approaches build into the data the idea that thesystems are nearly in equilibrium. However, the two approaches differdrastically in how the black holes themselves are treated.The collision of a pair of orbiting black holes is a dramatic eventthat we hope to detect soon in gravitational wave observatories suchas LIGO. Simulations, starting from binary black hole initial data,will provide the theoretical foundation for interpreting much of thedata obtained by LIGO. The detection of black holes with LIGO willoffer the most direct evidence possible for their existence, and willopen up an exciting new window for exploring the universe.