Simulating Binary Neutron Star Mergers
摘要
In 2017, the first joint detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic waves, produced from the merger of a binary neutron star system, inaugurated a new era of multi-messenger astronomy. Due to the strong gravitational fields present in the last stages of the compact binary coalescence, one has to solve Einstein’s field equations for a comprehensive study. For this reason, numerical-relativity simulations are an essential tool to correctly describe and study these compact binary mergers. High-performance computing facilities such as HAWK enable us to perform accurate simulations of binary systems by employing our numerical-relativity code BAM. BAM solves the equations of general relativity together with the equations of general-relativistic hydrodynamics. Within our research project, we use numerical-relativity simulations of binary systems to investigate matter at supranuclear densities, to measure the expansion rate of our Universe, and to calibrate theoretical models for the emitted gravitational and electromagnetic waves.