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CRA Seminar: Lee Samuel Finn (Penn State University)
April 4, 2019 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Observational tests of general relativity with black hole inspiral, coalescence, and ringdown
Prof. Lee Samuel Finn (Penn State University)
Website: https://www.phys.psu.edu/people/lsf5
Abstract: As far as it has been tested, general relativity “works”; however, tests of general relativity are spotty in their coverage and – especially in the dynamical regime – leave much to be desired in their sophistication. What are the characteristics of sophisticated test of a physical theory? Sophisticated tests identify discrepancies between theory and nature, classify them relative to the theory’s precepts, and quantify the observed discrepancies: i.e., they provide guidance for improved understanding. In this seminar we discuss the use of gravitational wave observations for testing general relativity, paying special attention to inspiral/coalescence/ring-down radiation. What are we assuming, and what are we testing, when we observe ICR waveforms? How do we pose and execute tests that identify, classify, and quantify disagreements between theory and nature? We are preparing to apply these tests to the data in which LIGO and Virgo have reported ICR detections: we end with a report on progress toward carrying out the tests described here.