Gravitational Waves from Compact Objects

该提案支持将致密恒星作为引力波源的研究，以及利用激光干涉仪引力波天文台（LIGO）对引力波进行搜索。先前的研究结果表明，中子星可以被最初的LIGO探测到（现在正在运行的配置），而不是等待几年的高级LIGO，特别是如果这些恒星是由比中子更奇怪的东西组成的。探索了奇异物质模型，并评估了它们对初始LIGO引力波可探测性的影响。这项工作还包括参与正在进行的和新的LIGO搜索来自致密恒星的引力波，特别是Einstein@Home项目，该项目利用了世界各地公众捐赠的计算时间。LIGO的贡献包括运行搜索的代码和天体物理学指导。LIGO探测到这样的信号将为中子星中奇异物质的存在提供证据，产生关于高密度物质的新信息，这将补充和增强从光子天文学和实验室核物理学中获得的见解。学生们将接受引力波天文学方面的培训，而这个领域正准备蓬勃发展。首席研究员将通过Einstein@Home继续并扩大他的公共宣传活动。

This proposal supports work on compact stars as sources of gravitational waves and on searches for the waves with LIGO (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory). The work follows up on previous results showing that neutron stars could be detectable by initial LIGO (theconfiguration running now) rather than waiting several years for advanced LIGO, especially if such stars are made of things stranger than neutrons. Strange matter models are explored and their effect on detectability of gravitational waves by initial LIGO is evaluated. The work also includesparticipation in ongoing and new LIGO searches for gravitational waves from compact stars, especially the Einstein@Home project which uses computing time donated by members of the general public all over the world. LIGO contributions include code to run the searches and astrophysical guidance on where to look.Detection of such signals by LIGO would provide evidence for strange matter in neutron stars, yielding new information on matter at high densities which will complement and enhance the insights gained from photon astronomy and laboratory nuclear physics. Students will be trained in gravitational wave astronomy just as the field is preparing to blossom. The principal investigator will continue and expand his public outreach activities with Einstein@Home.