GWtheory · Gravitational Wave Theory: Feynman Toolbox for Einstein Gravity

Since the discovery of Gravitational Waves from a binary black hole merger in 2016, we have entered a new era in exploring the Universe. Binary black hole and neutron star mergers are the primary sources of gravitational waves. High-accuracy theoretical predictions for the motion of compact binary systems play a fundamental role in interpreting data and maximizing discovery potential for present and future observations, such as LIGO-Virgo-Kagra. I have played a pioneering role in the development of a new framework aiming at efficiently calculating gravitational-wave observables using modern theoretical tools initially invented for CERN’s LHC experiments. Using this framework, we have obtained the most precise theoretical predictions for the gravitational dynamics of binary inspirals to date.This project aims to push the precision frontier for theoretical predictions for the gravitational observables of inspiralling binary systems. This will be achieved by innovating computational methods for classical gravitational dynamics using cutting-edge techniques from quantum field theory and modern mathematics, including Feynman integrals, effective field theory, special functions and applied algebraic geometry. We will derive a set of new precision corrections for the dynamics of inspiralling binaries, including spin and finite-size effects, beyond the current state of the art. These new results will be used to construct more accurate waveform models. The latter are crucial to understanding long-standing questions in fundamental physics and astronomy with next-generation gravitational-wave observations, such as the LISA and the Einstein Telescope in Europe, which in turn may provide fundamental insights into Einstein's theory of gravity.