DFG-NSF Physics: Maximizing the Science Return of Target of Opportunity Observations Connected to Compact Binary Mergers

One of the key questions in astrophysics today is how to discover and characterize the coalescence of compact binary systems, such as black holes and neutron stars. A crucial aspect is connecting expectations for electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational-wave signals. This award will enhance existing search strategies and improve the analysis of upcoming discoveries by increasing the speed of analysis algorithms and incorporating these expectations into searches for those counterparts. It will also facilitate student exchange between the University of Minnesota and the University of Potsdam in Germany, providing invaluable multicultural research experiences for young researchers. Given the extensive searches for further binary neutron star mergers, there is an urgent need for improvements in the speed and quality of data products provided to the community. For this reason, the award focuses on (i) Extending existing multi-messenger Bayesian inference software to rapidly predict electromagnetic counterparts while minimizing computational costs during gravitational-wave inference; (ii) Using these advancements to improve searches for multi-messenger sources; (iii) Predicting observing scenarios for future observing runs and the third generation of gravitational-wave detectors; (iv) Analyzing ongoing gravitational-wave observing runs. The award will fund training for students at the intersection of multiple fields, offering a unique opportunity to train a new generation of international scientists who can become key players in the near future. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.