Probing Gravity and Fundamental Physics with Gravitational Waves
In 2015 the LIGO and Virgo Collaborations observed, for the first time, a gravitational wave passing through the Earth produced by the merger of two black holes. Such an event was a milestone for astrophysics and it provided a remarkable confirmation of the general theory of relativity. Since then, as many as ninety gravitational waves have been observed by the LIGO and Virgo experiments, including signals from binary neutron stars and neutron-star--black-hole binaries. These observations rely on precise theoretical predictions of the relativistic two-body dynamics and gravitational radiation. After reviewing the synergetic approach that successfully combines analytical and numerical relativity to produce accurate waveform models, I will discuss the most compelling findings from the latest LIGO-Virgo observing run regarding astrophysics, gravity and fundamental physics. I will also highlight the bright future of gravitational-wave astronomy with the opening of new frequency bands on the ground (Einstein-Telescope/Cosmic Explorer) and in space (LISA) in the next decade, and the theoretical challenges and opportunities of developing high-precision waveform models to take full advantage of the discovery potential.
Friday, 01 April 2022, ore 14:30