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Gravitationally-lensed gravitational waves

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

I am joining a team of researchers that are hoping to make the first detection of a gravitationally-lensed gravitational wave. If successful, this will be the first time that a single observation has encompassed two of Einstein's predictions of general relativity. My research begins by using optical data to find galaxy cluster strong lenses. This is to include work involving the LSST (Large Synoptic Survey Telescope), in readiness for the beginning of its survey operations in 2022. Locating these clusters is a key step toward being able to detect lensed gravitational waves. As the project develops, further related areas of research may arise, such as modelling galaxy clusters. Lensing magnifies the signals from objects which, if they were not lensed, would not be observable. This is particularly relevant for lensed gravitational waves, because they will come from sources too distant to be detected without the help of lensing - effectively increasing the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors.

Publications

10 25 50

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ST/S505249/1 30/09/2018 29/09/2022
2114180 Studentship ST/S505249/1 30/09/2018 30/03/2022 Daniel Ryczanowski