Distinguished Prof Susan Scott

Scott, Susan profile
Position Distinguished Professor
Department Physics Education Centre
Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics
Research group Centre for Gravitational Astrophysics
Office phone (02) 612 50347
Email
Office Physics North Link 1 14

Neutron stars: understanding physics at the extreme

Neutron stars are a unique laboratory for probing physics under the greatest extremes of density and gravity, far beyond what is capable in terrestrial laboratories.  This project aims to use gravitational wave discoveries and electromagnetic observations of neutron stars to examine fundamental physics.

Dr Karl Wette, Distinguished Prof Susan Scott

Continuous gravitational waves: new methods for new discoveries

The next big discovery in gravitational wave astronomy may be a first detection of continuous gravitational waves from rapidly-spinning neutron stars. This projects aims to develop the data analysis methods needed for such a discovery.

Dr Karl Wette, Distinguished Prof Susan Scott

Gravitational waves from ultralight boson clouds around black holes

Ultralight boson particles have been predicted to solve problems in particle and high-energy physics and are compelling dark matter candidates. We develop algorithms and search for these conjectured ultralight bosons around black holes via gravitational-wave observations. 

Dr Lilli (Ling) Sun, Distinguished Prof Susan Scott, Dr Karl Wette

Multi-messenger gravitational-wave astronomy

The event of two merging neutron stars, GW170817, was observed in gravitational waves and across the electromagnetic spectrum, opening a new era of multi-messenger astronomy. We work on following up electromagnetic counterparts to future detections of gravitational waves and are ready to contribute to the new science of multi-messenger astronomy. 

Distinguished Prof Susan Scott, Dr Lilli (Ling) Sun, Dr Karl Wette

How does a black hole ring?

We study the numerical waveforms for the gravitational waves emitted during the black hole ringdown stage, implement tools and data analysis frameworks, and analyze the latest gravitational-wave data to estimate black hole properties and test the general theory of relativity.

Dr Lilli (Ling) Sun, Distinguished Prof Susan Scott

When two neutron stars collide, what is left behind?

In 2017, the first discovery of gravitational waves from two colliding neutron stars heralded a new age of multi-messenger astronomy. But what was left over after the collision? This project aims to find out.

Dr Karl Wette, Distinguished Prof Susan Scott

Calibrate gravitational wave detectors

For gravitational-wave detections and analyses, the raw outputs from the gravitational-wave detectors need to be converted into analysable data through some calibration apparatus. This project investigates new techniques to improve calibration accuracy and precision and better integrate the calibration bias into astrophysical analyses. 

Dr Lilli (Ling) Sun, A/Prof Bram Slagmolen, Distinguished Prof Susan Scott