Fundamental physics with gravitational waves: LIGO/VIRGO versus Einstein Telescope

Abstract

With the construction of third generation gravitational wave detectors, gravitational wave physics will be taken to the next level. The Einstein Telescope is one of these third generation detectors, which could be operating in Europe by the mid 2030s. In this thesis we will analyse to what extent ET improves on current second generation detectors, using the Fisher matrix, regarding: (i) testing the strong-fi?eld regime of general relativity and (ii) constraining the neutron star equation of state.