Gravitational-Wave Astrophysics: Getting Ready for the Advanced LIGO Era

该奖项支持通过引力波数据分析、引力波来源建模和解释，对来自具有两个致密天体--黑洞或中子星的双星引力波信号进行天体物理解释的项目。拟议的工作重点是开发一个处理GW探测(或事件率上限)的具体框架，以便为具有任何质量和自旋构型的致密天体的双星提取最大可用的天体物理信息。具体而言，以下三个主要研究项目是：(1)利用先进的应用数学方法估计带有两个致密天体的双星的参数，包括改进算法和计算工具，以便我们能够测量黑洞和中子星的质量和自转，并确定其在天空中的位置，以便了解其物理起源；(2)开发一个量化框架，用于使用引力波事件率推导出致密天体双星形成和演化的天体物理模型的约束条件；(3)对多个GW探测和相关的质量和自旋测量进行天体物理解释，定量地解释GW观测偏差和选择效应。此外，参与公众宣传活动的目的是加强天文学和地球物理之间的联系，重点是向公众解释地球物理源形成的项目。这项工作引起更广泛的紧凑天体天体物理学社区的兴趣，这些背景包括恒星和双星系统演化、中子星和黑洞形成、伽马射线爆发、球状星团和星系中心的恒星动力学，因为在未来几年，LIGO观测可以为天文学和天体物理学中的一些长期存在的问题提供唯一可靠的答案。将开发的计算工具将在LSC内外提供，因此可以使其他LSC项目受益，并加强其他科学和工程背景下参数估计的研究基础设施。外展活动利用了与阿德勒天文馆和天文博物馆的现有合作，每年有数十万游客；这种联系确保了在芝加哥大都市区多样化的城市环境中广泛传播研究理解。我们的团队也有活跃的历史和让本科生参与研究项目的兴趣，并在辅导和辅导中促进同行学习的框架。

This award supports projects in the area of astrophysical interpretation of gravitational-wave (GW) signals from binaries with two compact objects, black holes or neutron stars, through both GW data analysis, GW source modeling and interpretation. The proposed work focuses on developing a concrete framework for the processing of GW detections (or event rate upper limits) in order to extract the maximal available astrophysical information for binaries with compact objects with any mass and spin configuration. Specifically the following three main research projects are targeted: (i) parameter estimation for binaries with two compact objects using advanced applied mathematics methods, including the advancement of algorithms and computational tools, so that we can measure masses and spins of black holes and neutron stars and localize their GW emission on the sky so we can understand their physical origin; (ii) development of a quantitative framework for using GW event rates to derive constraints on astrophysical models of compact-object binary formation and evolution; and (iii) the astrophysical interpretation of multiple GW detections and associated mass and spin measurements, accounting quantitatively for GW observational biases and selection effects. Furthermore, the involvement in public outreach activities is intended to strengthen the connection between astronomy and GW physics, by focusing on projects that explain the formation of GW sources to the public.This work is of interest to the broader community of compact-object astrophysics in a wide range of contexts: e.g., stellar and binary system evolution, neutron star and black hole formation, gamma-ray bursts, stellar dynamics of globular clusters and galactic centers, as in the coming years LIGO observations can provide uniquely reliable answers to some of the long-standing questions in astronomy and astrophysics. The computational tools to be developed will be made available within and outside the LSC, and hence can benefit other LSC projects and enhance the research infrastructure for parameter estimation in other scientific and engineering contexts. Outreach activities take advantage of the existing collaboration with the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum with hundreds of thousands of visitors per year; this connection ensures the broad dissemination of research understanding in the diverse, urban environment of the Chicago metropolitan area. Our group also has an active history and interest in involving undergraduate students in research projects and promotes a framework of peer learning in tutoring and mentoring.