HLRB Project h0152
Gravitational Wave Signals from Compact Binary Coalescence
Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik
Proposing Institution
Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik
Project Manager
Dr. Sascha Husa
Am Mühlenberg 1
14476 Potsdam
Abstract
This project is part of a large international effort to detect gravitational waves and start a new field of astrophysical research- gravitational wave astronomy. Gravitational waves and their sources are described by the Einstein equations, which underly the theory of general relativity. All current knowledge about astrophysics and cosmology is based on electromagnetic observations, but observations of gravitational waves will open a new window into the universe and provide information about phenomena hitherto not accessible to direct observation, such as black holes, dark matter, or the very early universe. In this project we study a particular type of gravitational wave source - the inspiral and coalescence of compact binaries, in a first phase focusing on binary systems formed of black holes. To thisend we solve the Einstein equations numerically as partial differential equations, employing finite difference mesh refinementtechniques to resolve the different scales of the problem.The black hole inspiral process is one of the prime candidates for first detection, observation of gravitational waves from such sources will give new insights into astrophysics and cosmology and test general relativity, one of our fundamental theories of nature.Our project relies on recent breakthroughs in the numerical simulation of coalescing black hole binary systems, which have revolutionized thefield in the last two years and brought about a golden age for numerical relativity after four decades of research. By matching simulations performed in full general gelativity to analytic approximation methods, it is now possible to construct gravitational wave templates for binary black hole coalescences and provide astgrophysical information on the black holes produced in themerger process. Within this project we will perform parameter studies of astrophysically relevant configurations, but also further developthe methods of the field, in particular regarding the modelingof black holes with large spins, for which current numerical models are not yet satisfactory.
