Research Projects

The origin of compact binaries, observable by the LIGO-Virgo gravitational-wave detector network, remains a mystery. Current statistical methods can suggest formation channels and environments, but cannot definitively determine or rule out any. The peculiar motion of the center of mass could contain the signatures of its provenance and environment. However, constant velocity motion is undetectable via gravitational waves. Line-of-sight acceleration (LOSA) would leave an imprint on the gravitational wave's shape, which is detectable. The researchers propose to probe the LOSA of the center of mass of the compact binary merger, providing strong evidence of the formation channel and environment in which compact binaries form and evolve. They plan to construct necessary gravitational-wave templates using the Post-Newtonian formalism, search for LOSA in detected merger events, and place constraints on the rate of mergers in dense stellar environments. They also propose using large-scale simulations of globular clusters, nuclear star clusters, and active galactic nuclei to forecast detectable LOSA distributions in future ground and space-based detectors. The distributions on LOSA are expected to be sensitive to properties of the environments in which they form and evolve.