Inferring the origins of compact objects

Understanding the intricate evolution of massive stars, particularly those in binaries, remains an open question. Observations of black holes and neutron stars, the compact object remnants of massive stars, provide constraints on theoretical models. These observations come in a range of forms, with the most recent addition being gravitational-wave astronomy, where detectors like the STFC-funded Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) provide a unique survey of coalescing compact object binaries. This project will use observations to uncover the physics of massive stellar evolution by comparing against detailed binary population synthesis models. Constructing populations of compact objects simulated with varying input-physics assumptions enables inference of the physics that best describes stellar evolution. However, simulating the required number of systems is computationally expensive. Therefore, it will be necessary to design efficient interpolation and inference schemes, building upon Glasgow's expertise in machine-learning and Bayesian data analysis. The goal of this project will be a framework that uses cutting-edge binary simulations to infer the formation mechanism of compact object binaries, including the correlations between multiple formation channels.