On Monday January 13, 2025 at 13:15 in room Hb1 at Blegdamsvej, Miao Shang will defend her master thesis supervised by Jose Ezquiaga. Censor will be Marta Orselli (University of Perugia). The thesis defense will be in English.

Title: Exploring the Large-Scale Structure of the Universe through Lensing of Gravitational Waves: Detectability, Signal Properties, and Population Inferences

Abstract: This thesis explores the detectability and implications of gravitational wave lensing as a means to investigate the large-scale structure of the universe. Gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime caused by accelerated massive objects, offer a unique window into cosmic events like black hole and neutron star mergers. This study focuses on how these waves, when lensed by massive structures such as galaxies or galaxy clusters, can be distorted, delayed, or even amplified, providing critical insights into both the properties of the waves and the intervening matter. By simulating lensing effects and analyzing signal properties, we examine the potential biases in parameter estimation and identify ways to distinguish lensed signals from unlensed ones. Using Bayesian inference methods, we infer the population characteristics of compact binaries and propose new models for signal detection in future observatories. The results underscore the transformative role of gravitational wave lensing in expanding our understanding of both gravitational waves and the distribution of matter in the universe.