Canada Foundation for Innovation invests in research infrastructure for major projects
Two University of Lethbridge astrophysicists are among the scientists in a Canada-wide collaboration focused on gravitational-wave (GW) astrophysics that has received infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
The Government of Canada announced $552 million to provide researchers with the high-impact equipment they need for innovation. The funding supports 92 research infrastructure projects at 32 post-secondary institutions, including work from ULethbridge’s Dr. Saurya Das, a theoretical physicist, and Dr. Alex Tetarenko, an astrophysicist.
ULethbridge is part of GRAIN (GRavitational wave Astrophysics Infrastructure Network), which also includes the University of British Columbia, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Bishop’s University and the University of Manitoba. GRAIN, which was awarded approximately $5.5 million, will contribute to two international mega-projects that will unveil distant black holes and enable precise tests of theories that push the boundaries of physics.
Gravitational-wave astrophysics is the study of ripples in spacetime generated when massive objects like black holes collide. Studying these ripples gives scientists insights into the structure and dynamics of the fabric of the universe.
Gravitational waves are detected by LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory), which consists of two U.S.-based detectors, and LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), a European Space Agency mission to build an observatory in space. As a space-based detector with three satellites and million-kilometre-long arms, LISA will observe low-frequency gravitational waves from events that ground-based detectors like LIGO can’t see, such as mergers of super-massive black holes and signals from the early Universe. GRAIN will ensure Canadian researchers have guaranteed access to LISA data once the mission launches. This access will enable scientists to test general relativity in new regimes and explore potential new physics beyond Einstein’s theory.
“The University of Lethbridge plays a pivotal support role in ensuring Canada’s software readiness,” says Das, a theoretical physicist in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at ULethbridge. “My colleague, Dr. Tetarenko, and I will help develop GRAIN’s software and participate in data analysis, as well as coordinate with our national partners to obtain the high-performance computing resources we need.”
They’re also looking at hiring a developer to build and maintain the interface between Canada’s Arbutus supercomputing cluster and a new Canadian LISA data centre.
“By combining innovative hardware, sophisticated software and strong international partnerships with the European Space Agency, GRAIN will ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of gravitational-wave astronomy,” says Das.
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Contact:
Caroline Zentner, public affairs advisor
University of Lethbridge
403-394-3975 or 403-795-5403 (cell)
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