Exploring the properties of nuclear matter in extreme environments.

2015年，高级LIGO和处女座探测到了有史以来第一个来自激励双中子星的引力波信号。这一突破性的探测使我们能够探索中子星内致密核物质的性质。然而，描述中子星内发现的极高压力和密度下的核物质的基本模型目前尚不清楚，尽管预计它是高度复杂和非线性的。我们与LIGO-印度合作伙伴提出了一个项目，以探索极端环境中核物质的性质。该项目将利用格拉斯哥大学STFC资助的世界领先的引力波和机器学习专业知识，开发一种基于双中子星螺旋和合并所观测到的引力波信号来模拟中子星内物质状态(状态方程)的方法。研究方法的创新：机器学习方法，特别是归一化流动，已被证明非常适合探索非线性系统的参数空间。此外，机器学习的使用将允许根据观测到的引力波信号快速推断中子星的状态方程。对于全球的天文学家来说，快速推断将是至关重要的，他们将利用这些信息来计划他们对与双中子星合并相关的电磁对应物的搜索，在双中子星合并中，时间对于迅速衰落的对应物信号至关重要。与研究委员会的战略和研究领域保持一致：STFC为高级LIGO和A+项目的关键元素的开发提供了资金。高级LIGO和A+的关键目标之一是来自双中子星的引力波。开发的分析应该成为传递高级LIGO和全球引力波网络观测到的引力波瞬变的公共警报的关键组件。任何参与的公司或合作者：我们将与LIGO-印度的成员合作这个项目。此外，学生和导师将在LIGO科学合作中工作

In 2015, Advanced LIGO and Virgo detected the first ever gravitational wave signal from inspiralling binary neutron stars. This breakthrough detection allowed us to explore the properties of dense nuclear matter within neutron stars. However, the underlying model describing nuclear matter at extremely high pressures and densities found within neutron stars is currently unknown though it is expected to be highly complex and non-linear.We propose a project with LIGO-India collaborators to probe the properties of nuclear matter in extreme environments. This project will exploit world-leading, STFC-funded expertise on gravitational waves and machine learning at the University of Glasgow to develop a means of modelling the state of matter (equation of state) within neutron stars based on the gravitational wave signals observed as a result of binary neutron star inspiral and merger.Novelty of the research methodology:Machine learning approaches, in particular normalising flows, have been shown to be well-suited to exploring the parameter space of non-linear systems. Additionally, the use of machine learning will allow for rapid inference of the equation of state of neutron stars from observed gravitational wave signals. Rapid inference will be crucial for astronomers across the globe who will use this information to plan their searches for electromagnetic counterparts associated with the binary neutron star mergers, where time is of the essence for rapidly fading counterpart signals.Alignment to Research Council's strategies and research areas:STFC have funded the development of key elements of the Advanced LIGO and A+ projects. One of the key targets for Advanced LIGO and A+ are gravitational waves from binary neutron stars. The developed analysis should become a key component for the delivery of public alerts of gravitational wave transients observed by Advanced LIGO and the global gravitational wave network.Any companies or collaborators involved:We will be collaborating with members of LIGO-India for this project.Additionally, The student and supervisor will be working within the LIGO Scientific Collaboration