CAREER: Gravitational-Wave Science, from Macroscopic Quantum Mechanics to Strong-Field General Relativity

这一引力物理研究项目在很大程度上支持激光干涉仪引力波天文台(LIGO)。这将是理论上的，尽管在许多方面与实验密切相关。在LIGO仪器方面，该项目寻求在Advanced LIGO成功初始运行后最终完成LIGO探测器的光学配置设计；它还将对第三代探测器的光学配置进行批判性评估，这是LIGO的下一次重大升级，同时继续产生新的想法。这个项目将继续研究引力波实验将如何探测宏观物体的量子力学行为。在引力波数据分析中，该项目寻求能够通过结合先进的信号处理技术来快速探测致密双星系统(由黑洞和/或中子星组成)的策略。在广义相对论中，这个项目试图阐明二元黑洞合并的高度弯曲时空的动力学。该项目将通过促进仪器的短期和长期改进、优化数据分析战略以及提高对引力波来源的理解，从而增加引力波天文学的科学产出。这最终将导致实验证明(或反证)，量子力学定律也适用于宏观(人类大小)的物体。该项目还将产生以下更广泛的影响：(I)通过解决广泛的问题，它将成为年轻的理论物理学家的培训基地。(Ii)私人助理将负责加州理工学院的教学工作。他计划更新他协助基普·索恩教授创建的引力波科学网络课程。这门课程帮助培养了加州理工学院和其他大学和研究所的研究生，并使世界各地的科学家和工程师能够接触到引力波科学。(Iii)通过与格伦代尔社区学院的合作，将引力波科学前沿研究的成果传达给不同的学生群体；具有较强数学和物理背景的学生参与研究项目将鼓励他们投身科学和工程事业。通过网页和演示程序，引力波科学将在普通公众中传播到更广泛的受众。(4)国际和平研究所将与德国、澳大利亚、日本和俄罗斯的科学家合作开展研究。这些合作将极大地影响欧洲第三代引力波探测器--爱因斯坦望远镜的设计，并最大限度地提高澳大利亚和日本的原型探测器的科学产出。

This research project in gravitational physics is largely in support of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). It will be theoretical, although in many aspects closely related to experiments. In LIGO instrumentation, this project seeks to finalize the optical-configuration design of LIGO detectors after the successful initial operation of Advanced LIGO; it will also critically evaluate optical configurations for third-generation detectors, the next major upgrade to LIGO, while continue to generate new ideas. This project will continue to study how gravitational-wave experiments will probe quantum mechanical behavior of macroscopic objects. In gravitational-wave data analysis, this project seeks strategies that enable fast detection of compact binary systems (consisting black holes and/or neutron stars) by incorporating advanced signal-processing techniques. In general relativity theory, this project seeks to shed light on the dynamics of the highly curved space-time of binary black-hole mergers. This project will increase the scientific output of gravitational-wave astronomy by contributing to the short- and long-term improvement of instruments, by optimizing data analysis strategies, and by improving understandings of gravitational-wave sources. It will eventually lead to the experimental proof (or disproof) that quantum mechanical laws also apply to macroscopic (human-sized) objects. This project will also have the following broader impacts: (i) It will serve as a training ground for young theoretical physicists, through solving a broad range of problems. (ii) The PI will assume teaching responsibility at Caltech. He plans to update the web-based course in gravitational-wave science that he assisted Professor Kip Thorne in creating. This course has helped train graduate students at Caltech and other universities and institutes, and has made gravitational-wave science accessible to scientists and engineers throughout the world. (iii) Through cooperation with Glendale Community College, results of cutting-edge research in gravitational-wave science will be communicated to a diverse student body; participation of research projects by students with stronger math and physics background will encourage them to pursue a career in science and engineering. Through web pages and demonstration programs, gravitational-wave science will be communicated to a broader audience in the general public. (iv) The PI will carry out research in collaboration with scientists in Germany, Australia, Japan, and Russia. These collaborations will strongly influence the design of the European third-generation gravitational-wave detector, the Einstein Telescope, and maximize scientific output of prototype detectors in Australia and Japan.