MEMI: Modeling ElectroMagnetic waves and Inference from multi-messenger observations of neutron star mergers

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Sebastiano Bernuzzi
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields ; Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 443239082

The multi-messenger observation of gravitational and electromagnetic signals from a binary neutron star merger on August 2017 provided us with unprecedented insights in fundamental physics, including strong and dynamical gravity, matter at extreme densities, and high-energy astrophysics phenomena. Key to access this information is the availability of detailed theoretical predictions of the binary dynamics to be employed in efficient data analysis infrastructures. MEMI addresses a main open problem in the field, namely, the coherent analysis of the different signals using Bayesian inference. The main goal is to develop one of the first frameworks for the joint analysis of gravitational and electromagnetic data and capable of model ranking. To achieve that, MEMI also develops models of kilonova light curves based on first-principles simulations in general relativity and connected to the gravitational waveform models. Immediate applications include a statistically consistent source identification, extraction of the merger remnant properties, and tight constraints on the neutron star's equation of state. MEMI exploits synergy between numerical general relativity and data analysis. The knowledge and techniques developed in MEMI are crucial to enable science with the upcoming observations. The project continues a recently started and successful line of research, and complements current research on gravitational-wave modeling funded by European Research Councils's H2020 scheme. Moreover, there is a strong engagement with the LIGO-Virgo and ENGRAVE collaboration, with Jena leading an international group composed entirely by theoreticians that support the interpretation of the observations. MEMI will thus support international research at the highest possible level.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants