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Modeling and Detecting Gravitational Waves from Compact Stellar Objects

Citation

Vallisneri, Michele (2002) Modeling and Detecting Gravitational Waves from Compact Stellar Objects. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/JN6M-BW40. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05292002-113750

Abstract

In the next few years, the first detections of gravity-wave signals using Earth-based interferometric detectors will begin to provide precious new information about the structure, dynamics, and evolution of compact bodies, such as neutron stars and black holes, both isolated and in binary systems. The intrinsic weakness of gravity-wave signals requires a proactive approach to modeling the prospective sources and anticipating the shape of the signals that we seek to detect. Full-blown 3-D numerical simulations of the sources are playing and will play an important role in planning the gravity-wave data-analysis effort. This thesis explores the interplay between numerical source modeling and data analysis, looking closely at three case studies.

1. I evaluate the prospects for extracting equation-of-state information from neutron-star tidal disruption in neutron-star–black-hole binaries with LIGO-II, and I estimate that the observation of disrupting systems at distances that yield about one event per year should allow the determination of the neutron-star radius to about 15%, which compares favorably to the currently available electromagnetic determinations.

2. In collaboration with Lee Lindblom and Joel Tohline, I perform numerical simulations of the nonlinear dynamics of the r-mode instability in young, rapidly spinning neutron stars, and I find evidence that nonlinear couplings to other modes will not pose a significant limitation to the growth of the r-mode amplitude.

3. In collaboration with Alessandra Buonanno and Yanbei Chen, I study the problem of detecting gravity waves from solar-mass black-hole–black-hole binaries with LIGO-I, and I construct two families of detection templates that address the inadequacy of standard post-Newtonian theory to predict reliable waveforms for these systems.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Black hole binaries; gravitational waves; neutron stars; stellar instabilities
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Thorne, Kip S.
Group:TAPIR, Astronomy Department, LIGO
Thesis Committee:
  • Thorne, Kip S. (chair)
  • Libbrecht, Kenneth George
  • Lindblom, Lee A.
  • Kamionkowski, Marc P.
Defense Date:7 May 2002
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSFAST-9731698
NSFAST-9987344
NSFPHY-9796079
NSFPHY-9900776
NSFPHY-9907949
NSFPHY-0099568
NASANAG5-4093
NASANAG5-8497
NASANAG5-10707
CaltechUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05292002-113750
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05292002-113750
DOI:10.7907/JN6M-BW40
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.84.3519DOIArticle adapted for Chapter 2.
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.65.084039DOIArticle adapted for Chapter 3.
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Vallisneri, Michele0000-0002-4162-0033
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:2226
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:11 Jun 2002
Last Modified:06 Nov 2021 00:02

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