DFG-NSF Physics: Maximizing the science return of target of opportunity observations connected to compact binary mergers

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Tim Dietrich
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy ; Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 543044491

The multi-messenger detection of GW170817 has led to a wealth of information about matter under extreme densities, high-energy astrophysical phenomena, the structure of spacetime, and the evolution of our Universe. Given the importance of this observation, the next multi-messenger observation of a compact binary merger is eagerly awaited. Given the ongoing observing run of the international gravitational-wave detector network, the next detection could happen in the very near future, but even if the ongoing observing run does not reveal additional multi-messenger observations, the increasing sensitivity expected for the fifth observing run and the planned third-generation gravitational-wave detectors will yield hundreds of multi-messenger detections over the next decades. Once a gravitational-wave trigger is found in online searches, rapid analysis of the source is important to understand if electromagnetic signals could arise from the merger and if expensive follow-up searches have to be initiated. Improving this decision-making is the central goal of the proposed research project. We will improve our ability to perform low-latency interpretations by speeding up our nuclear physics and multi-messenger astrophysics (NMMA) code infrastructure to analyze compact binary mergers. Low-latency data products can then be used to estimate potential observable signatures. This includes not only gravitational-wave triggers but also electromagnetic observations during serendipitous searches that might reveal interesting transient events that are worth following up on and that we will investigate with the help of NMMA.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: USA
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Michael Coughlin, Ph.D.