Participant Support Costs for Kalogera# SP0035964

Project: Research project

Project Details

Description

The PI’s research plan for the continuation of her group’s activities falls within the framework of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) and the Compact Binary Coalescence (CBC) analysis group. It includes projects in the area of astrophysical interpretation of gravitational-wave (GW) signals from binaries with two compact objects, through both GW data analysis, source modeling and interpretation. Effectively the proposed work focuses on developing a concrete framework for the processing of CBC detections (or 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 CBC events using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, including the advancements of algorithms and tools incorporated into the CBC follow-up pipeline, analyses of data from engineering runs, and investigations of: measurement accuracies, parameter degeneracies, and sky-localization capabilities in the context of electromagnetic follow-ups; (ii) the statistical incorporation of CBC rate upper limits and actual measurements as constraints on astrophysical models of compact- object binary formation and evolution; and (iii) the astrophysical interpretation of multiple CBC detections and associated mass and spin measurements, accounting quantitatively for GW observational 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.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date9/1/168/31/19

Funding

  • National Science Foundation (PHY-1607709)

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