The era of multi-messenger astronomy has begun, heralded by the spectacular discovery of the

binary neutron star (BNS) merger GW170817 and of its electromagnetic (EM) counterparts. In the next years, thanks to the improved sensitivity of laser interferometer observatories, gravitational wave (GW) signals will be detected almost routinely. This will impose a high demand for multi-wavelength and neutrino follow-up observations, and new inputs from the theory to interpret multi-messeneger data.

Neutron stars (NS) are among the best targets for multi-messenger observations. In this project I will explore the physics and phenomenology of a special class of NSs, `newborn magnetars', that hold the best potential for detection in GWs with present and planned facilities. Indeed, magnetars are thought to be born with the fastest spins (milliseconds) and the strongest magnetic fields (> 10^(15) G), which makes them extremely energetic machines, capable of powering intense emission both in the EM (e.g., gamma-ray bursts or super-luminous supernovae) and GW channel.

The project will shed new light on magnetar emission processes, their formation and evolution, and the properties of matter under extreme conditions of density and magnetic field. To achieve these goals, I will: (i) build parametrized templates for the expected GW signals, develop ad-hoc search algorithms and implement them in the Virgo data analysis pipeline; (ii) develop dedicated multi-messenger strategies, aimed at identifying the signatures of newborn magnetars in the EM, GW and neutrino channels; (iii) elaborate new theoretical tools to interpret multimessenger observations.

Simone Dall’Osso – INFN ROMA 1  

Dr. Simone Dall’Osso (PhD in Astrophysics, “Sapienza” University, 2004) is a researcher at INFN-Rome 1, and member of the LIGO/Virgo Collaboration. He was previously a postdoc in Rome (INAF-OAR), Jerusalem (Hebrew University), Tübingen University, Stony Brook University (NY) and L’Aquila (GSSI). Dr. Dall’Osso has long worked on the astrophysics of compact objects, with a main focus on magnetars, studying magnetic field decay in neutron star interiors and the mechanisms by which newborn magnetars can emit strong gravitational wave signals with specific multi-messenger counterparts. He also developed theoretical models for ultra-compact binary systems, and for the central engines in gamma-ray bursts, in Ultra-Luminous X-ray sources and in Fast Radio Bursts.