Key research themes
1. How do gravitational wave observations inform our understanding of black holes and fundamental physics?
This theme focuses on the role of gravitational wave (GW) detections in advancing fundamental physics, particularly regarding black hole properties, tests of General Relativity (GR), and insights into cosmic structure formation and dark matter. GW observations serve as a new observational window to probe strong-field gravity regimes, black hole formation and mergers, and potential new physics beyond GR.
2. What are the theoretical and observational methods for detecting and characterizing gravitational waves across different frequency bands?
This research theme encompasses the classification of gravitational waves by frequency, the current and planned detection technologies (ground-based interferometers, space missions, pulsar timing arrays), and the sensitivity limitations versus astrophysical sources. It addresses how direct and indirect observations across frequency domains provide complementary insights into gravitational wave sources, cosmological backgrounds, and fundamental physics.
3. How do generalized gravitational theories and Doppler-like effects influence gravitational fields and associated gravitational waves?
This theme explores alternative interpretations and modifications to classical Newtonian gravity and General Relativity regarding the propagation speed of gravitational fields versus gravitational waves, as well as the impact of relative motions (Doppler or 'chasing' effects) on gravitational interactions and orbital dynamics. It includes modeling the orbital motion of planets under the influence of gravitational waves and proposes new gravitational equations incorporating velocity-dependent corrections motivated by the detection of GWs.