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Computational Methods for Gravitational Wave Physics: Spectral Cauchy-Characteristic Extraction and Tidal Splicing

Citation

Barkett, Kevin Michael Canice (2019) Computational Methods for Gravitational Wave Physics: Spectral Cauchy-Characteristic Extraction and Tidal Splicing. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/3DH5-7773. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:02082019-160046031

Abstract

As the aLIGO and Virgo detectors continue to improve their sensitivity for observing gravitational waves from merging compact binaries, they will require ever more precise theoretical predictions to extract a detailed understanding of the physics governing these merging systems. This thesis discusses advancements within computing the gravitational waveforms along two avenues of research: the continued development of a spectral Cauchy-Characteristic Extraction (CCE) code and the presentation of a novel method called 'Tidal Splicing' for generating waveforms for binary neutron star (BNS), black hole-neutron star (BHNS), and even Beyond GR systems.

Due to the finite extents of typical 3+1 simulations of merging binaries, the waveforms they generate can suffer from near-zone effects and lingering gauge ambiguities. CCE was developed in order evolve radiating gravitational waves as they propagate outward to future null infinity, allowing studies connecting the dynamical spacetime of binary evolutions to effects seen by distant observers, such as superkicks, and angluar and linear momentum fluxes. A recent spectral version of CCE showed promising improvements in accuracy and efficiency over the older finite-differencing code, PittNull. However, lingering issues with the numerics and implementation of the theory prevented it from wide spread use. We detail the developments updated its initial release and demonstrate the enhancement in accuracy they yield beyond the capabilities of PittNull.

The method of Tidal Splicing enhances the inexpensive Post-Newtonian (PN) tidal corrections with BBH waveforms from numerical simulations to generate waveforms corresponding to inpsiraling BNS or BHNS systems. This leverages the accuracy of numerical BBH waveforms to effectively replace the corresponding unknown PN terms. In addition, by picking individual terms in the PN tidal expansions to include, then comparing with existing numerical simulations, we are able to probe the significance of each contribution to the total difference in evolution between BBH and BNS or BHNS inspirals. We also demonstrate how the splicing concepts used for tidal effects can extended in order to model waveforms with corrections according to theories beyond GR using an example case of a resonating ultra-compact object.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Numerical Relativity; Gravitational Waves; Binary Black Hole; Cauchy-Characteristic Extraction; Binary Neutron Star; Tidal Splicing
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Chen, Yanbei
Group:TAPIR, Astronomy Department
Thesis Committee:
  • Weinstein, Alan Jay (chair)
  • Scheel, Mark
  • Wise, Mark B.
  • Chen, Yanbei
Defense Date:6 December 2018
Non-Caltech Author Email:kevinbarkett (AT) gmail.com
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:02082019-160046031
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:02082019-160046031
DOI:10.7907/3DH5-7773
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.93.044064DOIArticle adapted for Chapter 3.
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Barkett, Kevin Michael Canice0000-0001-8230-4363
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:11387
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Kevin Barkett
Deposited On:20 Feb 2019 20:38
Last Modified:26 Oct 2021 18:02

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