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Gravitational Physics the dynamics of spacetime

Delve into the fascinating world of Einstein gravity and the dynamics of spacetime. Discover the least understood interaction of gravitation with a special focus on gravitational waves, space geometry, and the early Universe. With a comprehensive outline covering motivation, aim, consortium composition, requested positions, and coherence, this study aims to achieve a deep understanding of gravitation and spacetime, centering on scientific promise and direct discovery of gravitational waves. Join a multi-disciplinary physics program involving astrophysics, cosmology, and (astro)particle physics, with contributions towards the direct discovery of gravitational waves and the design and study proposal approved by the EU within FP7. Gain insights into the science goals, including dark energy, the Big Bang, and the mysterious aspects of the Universe. Participate in activities ranging from signals from inflation and phase transitions to exploring the science goals of gravitational physics.

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Gravitational Physics the dynamics of spacetime

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  1. Gravitational Physics the dynamics of spacetime FOM, April 7, 2009 - jo@nikhef.nl

  2. Outline • Motivation • Aim and focus • Composition of consortium • Requested positions versus aim • Coherence and added value

  3. Motivation Einstein gravity : Gravity as a geometry Space and time are physical objects • Gravitation • Least understood interaction • Large world-wide intellectual activity • Theoretical: ART + QM, Cosmology • Experimental: Interferometers on Earth and in space • Gravitational waves • Dynamical part of gravitation, all space is filled • Very large energy, almost no interaction • Ideal information carrier, almost no scattering or attenuation • The entire universe has been transparent for GWs, all the way back to the Big Bang

  4. Aim and focus To achieve deep understanding of gravitation and spacetime Focus on 3 activities • Scientific promise • Direct discovery of gravitational waves • Signals from the early Universe • Towards gravitational wave observatories • Bundle existing strengths • (astro)particle physics: experiment and theory • Astrophysics, astronomy and cosmology • Multi-disciplinary physics program • R.A. Hulse and J.H. Taylor Jr (1993)

  5. Interferometers – sensitivity • The horizon (best orientation) for a binary system of two 10 solar mass black holes is 63 Mpc • Compare to square root of Planck time: • For capability to study details at Planck scale

  6. Enhanced LIGO ~2009 LIGO today 100 million light years Advanced LIGO ~2014 Credit: R.Powell, B.Berger Activity 1 - towards discovery • Nikhef contributions to Virgo+ : • Automatic Alignment electronics • Thermal compensation simulations • Input Mode Cleaner optics 1 ev/week – 1 ev/day expected

  7. Activity 1 - direct discovery of GW • Probable sources • Binary neutron star coalescence • Binary black holes mergers, supernovae, pulsars • Horizon (Virgo+) • BNS: 150 Mpc (optimal orientation) • BBH: 750 Mpc (optimal orientation) • BNS Rates: (most likely and 95% interval) • Initial Virgo (30Mpc) 1/100yr (1/500 - 1/25 yr) • Enhanced LIGO (60Mpc) 1/10yr (1/50 - 1/2.5yr) • 2009: Virgo+ limit (150Mpc) 1.2/yr (1/4 - 5/yr) • 2014: Advanced detectors (350Mpc) 40/yr (8 - 160/yr) • Kalogera et al; astro-ph/0312101; Model 6 • BBH and other sources rates are more difficult to predict Astronomy: we know GW sources exist!

  8. Design Study Proposal approved by EU within FP7 Large part of the European GW community involved EGO, INFN, MPI, CNRS, NIKHEF, Univ. Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow Recommended in Aspera / Appec roadmap

  9. Activity 2 - GW antenna in space - LISA • 3 spacecraft in Earth-trailing solar orbit separated by 5 x106 km. • Measure changes in distance between fiducial masses in each spacecraft • Partnership between NASA and ESA • Launch date ~2018+ GW roadmap: Golden Age of Gravitational Physics

  10. Rotating Neutron Stars Complementarities of GW detectors Difference of 104 in wavelength: Like difference between X-rays and IR! VIRGO LIGO LISA LISA will see all the compact white-dwarf and neutron-star binaries in the Galaxy (Schutz)

  11. What happens at the edge of a Black Hole? Chandra - Each point of x-ray light is a Black Hole! Is Einstein’s theory still right in these conditions of extreme gravity? Or is new physics awaiting us? Science goals

  12. Science goals • What is the mysterious Dark Energy pulling the Universe apart? We do not know what 95% of the universe is made of! Dark energy and matter interact through gravity

  13. What powered the Big Bang? Gravitational Waves Can Escape from Earliest Moments of the Big Bang Inflation (Big Bang plus 10-34 Seconds) light Big Bang plus 380,000 Years Now gravitational waves Big Bang plus 14 Billion Years Science goals

  14. Activity 2: Signals from inflation and phase transitions • Theoretical (astro)particle physics community • GW, inflation, string theory, cosmic defects • Jan Willem van Holtenet al. (Nikhef, Leiden) • Provide templates, spectra, etc. • Participate in Virgo – LIGO analysis • G. Koekoek • Galluccio et al; Phys. Rev. Lett. 79 (970)

  15. GW in the Netherlands 2006 • SRON • LISA Pathfinder • Theoretical (astro)particle physics community • GW, inflation, string theory, cosmic defects • Westerbork • EPTA • NOVA • Leiden Univ.: PTA (Levin) • UvA: GW emission NS (Watts) • ESA – Noordwijk • LISA coordination (Jennrich) • Leiden Univ. • MiniGrail (Frossati) • Nikhef • Strategic plan, Review 2007

  16. Consortium T. Bauer Optics H. van der Graaf Suspension J.W. van Holten Theory New staff member Analysis M. Beker (PhD) ET S. van der putten (PhD) Analysis H.J. Bulten Analysis, LISA T. Ketel Optics J. van den Brand Coordinator D. Rabeling (postdoc) Discovery, ET G. Koekoek (PhD) Theory Discovery Early Universe ET, LISA J. Kuipers Sources G. Nelemans LISA • Periodic sources analysis – GRID • VU – Nikhef – RU • Coalescing binaries – BNS, BBH • Nikhef – VU – RU • Advanced Virgo upgrade • Nikhef– VU • Early Universe – theory and analysis • Nikhef - VU • Source populations ET and LISA • RU – Nikhef – VU All members bring in relevant experience

  17. Requested resources – projects 6 year program 6 PhDs, 2 postdocs • Periodic sources analysis – GRID • H.J. Bulten (VU), S. van derPutten (PhD) • Coalescing binaries – BNS, BBH • JvdB, Nikhef staff, pd1 (3 yr), PhD1, PhD2 • Advanced Virgo upgrade • T. Bauer (Nikhef), T. Ketel (VU), JvdB, M. Beker (PhD), all PhD and pd • Early Universe – theory and analysis • J.W. van Holten (Nikhef), M. Postma (Nikhef), G. Koekoek (PhD), PhD3, pd1 (3 yr) • Source populations ET and LISA • J. Kuipers (RU), G. Nelemans (RU), D. Rabeling (VU), pd2 (5 yr), PhD4 • Multi-messenger analysis (Lofar, optical, UC binaries) • G. Nelemans (RU), H.J. Bulten, PhD5 • Running budget • Annual contribution to Virgo • Investment budget: 500 k€ (Nikhef NWO MG 1.5 M€) • Advanced Virgo: Cryo links, seismic isolation, optical systems

  18. Added value of FOM program • Ambitious program • Combines resources from universities and research institute • Strong position at international forefront • Program provides focus, collaboration and coherence • Timing: Advanced Virgo and LIGO decided now • Attractive context for advanced research • Excellent environment for postdocs, students, guests • High quality training • Broadening of scientific experience • Experimental physics, analysis, GRID computing, astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, theory • Organize national GW community • Annual Dutch GW meeting through Nikhef • Links to other programs • Multi-messenger astroparticle physics (with KM3Net)

  19. Backup slides

  20. Theoretical Astroparticle physics

  21. GW fact sheet • LIGO • The largest single enterprise undertaken by NSF. • Total capital investment about $ 300 million. • Exploitatie about M$ 30/jaar. • Enhanced LIGO (2008) is approved, financed and installed. • Advanced LIGO (2012) is approved, financed (for M$ 210). • LIGO Science Collaboration (LSC) consists of >600 physicists and astronomers; > 45 institutes. • Quality of participants is excellent (MIT, Caltech, Stanford, etc.). • Three interferometers (ITF): 2 with 4 km arms, 1 with 2 km arms. • All ITFs achieved design sensitivity. • Virgo • Investment about MEuro 100 by France and Italy. • Exploitation about MEuro 10/yr • Virgo+ (2008) is approved and financed. • Advanced Virgo (2012) approval in 2009. • 1 ITF with 3 km arms. • ITF sensitivity at design value for f > 700 Hz. • LISA • Lisa Pathfinder cost about MEuro 240. • Lancering is scheduled for 2010. • LISA 3 satellites costs about Euro 1.5 miljard. • Highest scientific priority of the 11 Beyond Einstein missions. • Decadel review ongoing in USA. • Einstein Telescope • CDS approved in FP7 for 3M€ • Highest scientific priority of 51 proposals • JvdB leads WG1 on site selection • Appears on ASPERA roadmap as 1 of Magnificent Seven • GW physics • APS Topical group (>1000 members) • Future APS division? • NL part of EGO consortium?

  22. Outreach – 2008 NRC Intermediair Teleac Radio5 De Volkskrant Technisch weekblad Kijk Civiele Techniek

  23. GW Program Management • Management Structure • Clear structure established to realize Mass and Focus • Initial MT composition: GN, JWvH and JvdB(chair) • MT tasks • Monitor progress in various scientific activities • Allocation of resources (re-discuss annually) • Provide steering • New scientific developments • Note: 1 PhD not allocated • Monitor finances • Outreach • Work towards a national GW community • Nikhef has a role here (annual and quarterly meetings) • Links to other programs • Multi-messenger astroparticle physics (e.g. with KM3Net)

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