NANOGrav Physics Frontier Center

University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee WI

Investigators

Abstract

General Relativity predicts the existence of gravitational waves, but none have yet been directly detected. In addition to testing General Relativity, the discovery of gravitational waves will make possible new tests of theories that explain the origin of the acceleration of the universe's expansion and that reconcile quantum mechanics with gravity, two of the most profound challenges facing fundamental physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Through this Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) award the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) will focus on the detection and characterization of gravitational waves with nanohertz frequencies-frequencies eleven orders of magnitude lower than those probed by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). NANOGrav will use observations of millisecond pulsars (pulsating neutron stars spinning with a period on the order of a millisecond) to search for these low frequency waves. The arrival times of the emissions from these pulsars will stray from their regular pattern if distorted by the passage of a gravitational wave. Correlating observations between different pulsars and monitoring pulse arrival times will enable NANOGrav to search for these low frequency gravitational waves in a way different from but complementary to LIGO. NANOGrav will also engage middle school and undergraduate students in their research efforts, including data collection, analysis, and characterization, as well as the search for gravitational waves in the data. The Center will have a targeted approach to increase student participation of women and traditionally underrepresented groups. The NANOGrav Physics Frontier Center will monitor the pulse arrival times of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in order to detect and characterize low frequency gravitational waves (GWs). In addition to known MSPs, the Center will search for new ones. Research goals and activities involve: the detection and characterization of low frequency GWs, including algorithm development, the study of electromagnetic counterparts to GW sources, and GW tests of gravity; the creation and curation of a GW dataset, including the creation of the time series analyzed to search for GWs, full characterization of the data set and its error budget, creation of a new, independent software package to create the GW data sets, as well as data mining and distribution; and the further enhancement and characterization of their low frequency GW detection method with increased sensitivity resulting from adding to the number of detection arms, characterizing their pulsars, and developing algorithms to increase the efficiency of their searches for new MSPs. This Physics Frontiers Centers award is co-funded by the Physics Frontiers Centers Program in the Division of Physics and the Mid-scale Innovations Program in the Division of Astronomical Sciences.