Research Group: Centre for Research in String Theory Number of Students: 1 Length of Study in Years: 3-4 Full-time Project: yes
Application Method:
To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Physics programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply
Deadline for application - 29th of January 2025
Supervisor Contact Details:
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Gustav Mogull with a full CV.
E-mail: g.mogull@qmul.ac.uk
Since the first detection of gravitational waves (GWs) by a binary black hole merger in 2015 by the LIGO and Virgo collaborations, there has been tremendous interest in the gravitational two-body problem. The aim is to make predictions for future-generation detectors, including LISA, the Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer. Considerable theoretical progress is now being made using tools developed for Quantum Field Theory, by re-interpreting black holes and neutron stars as point particles. The Worldline Quantum Field Theory (WQFT) formalism, designed specifically to produce classical physical observables, has been incredibly successful in this regard.
The aim of this PhD project is to use WQFT to calculate classical physical observables in two-body scattering events. These include the change in momentum (momentum impulse), scattering angle, and radiated energy plus angular momentum fluxes. Physical effects including spins, tides and beyond-GR theories will be considered. These observables will be used to build models of the bound gravitational bound two-body problem, and ultimately develop gravitational waveform models.
SPCS Academics: Gustav Mogull