Abstract
The first detected binary neutron star merger GW170817 allowed for the simultaneous detection of gravitational and electromagnetic waves which started the era of multi-messenger astrophysics. The existence of an electromagnetic counterpart to a compact object merger allowed for a significantly deeper analysis of the merger event and much tighter resultant constraints on existing physical models of neutron stars, nuclear physics, and the Universe itself.
Multi-messenger analysis requires sophisticated source modeling. For the foreseeable future, demanding computational resource costs will result in a sparse availability of state-of-the-art neutron star merger light curve simulations. Astrophysical inference can proceed using an alternate approach of creating computationally cheaper surrogate models based on the aforementioned state-of-the-art simulations.
The work presented here focuses on the creation and interpolation of a library of light curve simulations suitable for the generation of surrogate models capable of conveying useful astrophysical information. It addresses the necessity of switching from grid-based simulation placement to an error-maximization approach which identifies the least understood regions of parameter space. Interpolation is introduced as the connecting factor between the long-term goal of surrogate model creation and the new simulation placement mechanism. Finally, a discussion about the iterative process of simulation placement using interpolation outputs describes how each new simulation brings the library one step closer to serving as a surrogate model training set.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Gravitational lenses--Computer simulation; Neutron stars--Mathematical models; Gravitational waves--Mathematical models; Electromagnetic waves--Mathematical models
Publication Date
8-5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Student Type
Graduate
Degree Name
Astrophysical Sciences and Technology (MS)
Advisor
Richard O'Shaughnessy
Advisor/Committee Member
Joshua Faber
Advisor/Committee Member
Yosef Zlochower
Recommended Citation
Ristic, Marko, "Smarter Simulation Placement of Kilonova Light Curve Models for Computationally Inexpensive Surrogate Model Creation" (2020). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/10548
Campus
RIT – Main Campus
Plan Codes
ASTP-MS
