Gravitational Radiation from Black Holes

University Of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of this project is to develop new computational methods to simulate the the collision of black holes and to calculate the gravity waves which are emitted. The approach uses techniques which have been developed in collaboration with computational mathematicians and tested on model problems. The application of these techniques will be extended to realistic black hole systems. Waves, such as water, sound and electromagnetic waves are a prominent feature of physical systems. A revolutionary prediction of Einstein's gravitational theory is that accelerated masses produce gravitational waves, analogous to the way electric charges produce electromagnetic waves. Gravitational waves have only been detected indirectly by the way they deplete energy from two co-orbiting pulsars. A Laser Interferometric Gravity Wave Observatory (LIGO) has recently been constructed that will potentially open up a new form of astronomy by detecting gravity waves directly. Computer simulations of black hole collisions can provide the details of the gravitational waves which are necessary for the LIGO observatory to tune in on the signal.