The main goal of POPCORN Collaboration is to test and compare several of existing population synthesis codes. Comparison of the diffrent population synthesis calculations will shed the light on the origin of result similarities and major discrepancies. The comparison should reveal if the differences are due to our lack of knowledge of some processes governing single and binary evolution. If so, this will allow us to specify the weakest links of population synthesis calculations and perhaps draw attention of the community to these specific problems. On the other hand, some discrepancies may arise from the fact of oversimplified treatment of some processes or just from simple mistakes yet to be found in the codes. This will promote, both code updates and clean ups.

POPCORN is targeted first at the study of compact object populations, i.e. binaries containing white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. These binaries are the prime candidates for Gravitational Wave Observatories (LIGO, VIRGO, GEO, LISA). Both, merger rate estimates and compact object properties, obtained mostly through population synthesis method are crucial in understanding and interpreting the future observations.

POPCORN Population Synthesis Codes: