Kimpson, Tom; (2021) Multimessenger Astrophysics of Pulsars in Extreme Mass Ratio Systems. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The detection of a millisecond pulsar (MSP) in a short, relativistic orbit around a massive astrophysical black hole - such as those found in the Galactic centre or in the centre of Globular clusters - would allow for precision tests of fundamental physics and astrophysics in the gravitational strong-field regime. The radio timing signals from these systems are subject to a slew of non-linear, relativistic and astrophysical effects. Therefore, in order to both detect these systems, and use them as a natural, precision apparatus for scientific tests, it is essential to be able to model the theoretical signal in a way that is applicable to the strong-field regimes that these systems inhabit. The development of such a relativistic timing framework is the primary focus of this thesis. This formulation can then self-consistently and accurately calculate the timing signal in the gravitational strong-field from an MSP in a general orbit around a supermassive or intermediate mass black hole. In the latter part of the thesis I explore the prospects for detecting gravitational wave signals from these MSP Extreme Mass Ratio Systems. The observation of gravitational radiation in conjunction with the electromagnetic pulsar radio signal would enable multimessenger astronomy of the gravitational strong-field. Finally I explore the signature of beyond-GR effects in the pulsar timing signal via a modification of the black hole quadrupole moment.

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