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The furthest binary black holes: the next frontier in gravitational lensing

Objective

Our Universe is still largely a mystery. An elusive dark matter shapes the cosmic structures, while the Universe expands at a rate that we struggle to understand. Unraveling these fundamental open questions demands a deeper look into the distant cosmos, where gravitational waves from stellar-mass binary black holes offer a unique window of observation.

Unlike electromagnetic signals, gravitational waves traverse the Universe without alteration, except for gravitational lensing. Their long wavelengths make them susceptible to diffraction by cosmic structures, providing an unprecedented opportunity to map the dark matter and test the foundations of gravity. If we can recover these lensed signals, we gain a cosmic magnifying glass to observe the most distant black hole mergers and illuminate their origins.

Current gravitational-wave observations have already brought puzzling lensed candidates, and the first definitive detections are expected in the upcoming observing run starting in 2028. By synthesizing groundbreaking advancements in theory, simulations, and data analysis, I propose to uncover the discovery potential of the furthest binary black hole mergers. This project, furthestBBH, will:
1. Pioneer the detection of lensed gravitational waves,
2. Unveil high-redshift populations of compact binaries,
3. Probe dark matter substructures.
In pursuit of its objectives, furthestBBH will have a far-reaching impact across multiple fields: exploring gravity in the uncharted wave-optics regime; modeling lensing by substructures from cluster scales to subhalos; developing efficient machine-learning algorithms for detecting distorted waveforms; and constructing precise, unbiased astrophysical and cosmological population inferences that incorporate lensing. furthestBBH will enable the discovery of gravitational waves beyond current detection horizons, paving the way for next-generation observatories and revealing the transformative science of the most distant black holes.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) ERC-2026-STG

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Host institution

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 499 937,00
Address
NORREGADE 10
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark

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Region
Danmark Hovedstaden Byen København
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 499 937,00

Beneficiaries (1)