Binary Black Hole Coalescence Research Articles

Validating the effective-one-body numerical-relativity waveform models for spin-aligned binary black holes along eccentric orbits

Effective-one-body (EOB) numerical-relativity (NR) waveform models for spin-aligned binary black holes (BBHs), known as the SEOBNR waveform models, are based on the EOB theoretical framework and NR simulations. SEOBNR models have played an important role in the LIGO scientific collaboration (LSC) gravitational wave (GW) data analysis for both signal search and parameter estimation. SEOBNR models for quasi-circular orbits have evolved through version 1 to version 4 by extending their validity domain and including more NR results. Along another direction, we recently extended SEOBNRv1 model to SEOBNRE model which is valid for spin-aligned BBH coalescence along eccentric orbits. In this paper we validate this theoretical waveform model by comparing them against the numerical relativity simulation bank, Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes (SXS) catalog. In total, 278 NR waveforms are investigated which include binaries with large eccentricity; large spin and large mass ratio. Our SEOBNRE can model the NR waveforms quite well. The fitting factor for most of the 278 waveforms is larger than 99\%. It indicates that the SEOBNRE model could be used as template waveforms for eccentric spin-aligned BBH coalescence.

Ringdown overtones, black hole spectroscopy, and no-hair theorem tests

Validating the black-hole no-hair theorem with gravitational-wave observations of compact binary coalescences provides a compelling argument that the remnant object is indeed a black hole as described by the general theory of relativity. This requires performing a spectroscopic analysis of the post-merger signal and resolving the frequencies of either different angular modes or overtones (of the same angular mode). For a nearly-equal mass binary black-hole system, only the dominant angular mode ($l=m=2$) is sufficiently excited and the overtones are instrumental to perform this test. Here we investigate the robustness of modelling the post-merger signal of a binary black hole coalescence as a superposition of overtones. Further, we study the bias expected in the recovered frequencies as a function of the start time of a spectroscopic analysis and provide a computationally cheap procedure to choose it based on the interplay between the expected statistical error due to the detector noise and the systematic errors due to waveform modelling. Moreover, since the overtone frequencies are closely spaced, we find that resolving the overtones is particularly challenging and requires a loud ringdown signal. Rayleigh's resolvability criterion suggests that in an optimistic scenario a ringdown signal-to-noise ratio larger than $\sim 30$ (achievable possibly with LIGO at design sensitivity and routinely with future interferometers such as Einstein Telescope, Cosmic Explorer, and LISA) is necessary to resolve the overtone frequencies. We then conclude by discussing some conceptual issues associated with black-hole spectroscopy with overtones.

Circumbinary Accretion from Finite and Infinite Disks

Abstract We carry out 2D viscous hydrodynamics simulations of circumbinary disk (CBD) accretion using AREPO. We resolve the accretion flow from a large-scale CBD down to the streamers and disks around individual binary components. Extending our recent studies, we consider circular binaries with various mass ratios (0.1 ≤ q b ≤ 1) and study accretion from “infinite,” steady-supply disks and from finite-sized, viscously spreading tori. For “infinite” disks, a global steady state can be reached, and the accretion variability has a dominant frequency ∼0.2Ωb for q b > 0.5 and Ωb for q b < 0.5 (Ωb is the binary angular frequency). We find that the accretion “eigenvalue” l 0—the net angular momentum transfer from the disk to the binary per unit accreted mass—is always positive and falls in the range (0.65– (with a b the binary separation), depending weakly on the mass ratio and viscosity. This leads to binary expansion when q b ≳ 0.3. Accretion from a finite torus can be separated into two phases: an initial transient phase, corresponding to the filling of the binary cavity, followed by a viscous pseudostationary phase, during which the torus viscously spreads and accretes onto the binary. In the viscous phase, the net torque on the binary per unit accreted mass is close to l 0, the value derived for “infinite” disks. We conclude that binaries of similar mass accreting from CBDs gain angular momentum and expand over long timescales. This result significantly impacts the coalescence of supermassive binary black holes and newly formed binary stars. We offer a word of caution against conclusions drawn from simulations of transient accretion onto empty circumbinary cavities.

Decline of the Current Quadrupole Moment during the Merger Phase of Binary Black Hole Coalescence

Utilizing the tools of tendex and vortex, we study the highly dynamic plunge and merger phases of several π -symmetric binary black hole coalescences. In particular, we observe a decline of the strength of the current quadrupole moment compared to that of the mass quadrupole moment during the merger phase, contrary to a naive estimate according to the dependence of these moments on the separation between the black holes. We further show that this decline of the current quadrupole moment is achieved through the remnants of the two individual spins becoming nearly aligned or anti-aligned with the total angular momentum. We also speculate on the ability to achieve a consistency between the electric and magnetic parity quasinormal modes.

Limits on the Electromagnetic Counterpart of Binary Black Hole Coalescence at Visible Wavelengths

Abstract We used the Télescope à Action Rapide pour les Objets Transitoires network of telescopes to search for the electromagnetic counterparts of GW150914, GW170104, and GW170814, which were reported to originate from binary black hole merger events by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory and Virgo collaborations. Our goal is to constrain the emission from a binary black hole coalescence at visible wavelengths. We developed a simple and effective algorithm to detect new sources by matching the image data with the Gaia catalog Data Release 1. Machine learning was used and an algorithm was designed to locate unknown sources in a large field of view image. The angular distance between objects in the image and in the catalog was used to find new sources; we then process the candidates to validate them as possible new unknown celestial objects. Though several possible candidates were detected in the three gravitational-wave source error boxes studied, none of them were confirmed as a viable counterpart. The algorithm was effective for the identification of unknown candidates in a very large field and provided candidates for GW150914, GW170104, and GW170814. The entire 90% GW170814 error box was surveyed extensively within 0.6 days after the gravitational-wave emission resulting in an absolute limiting R magnitude of −23.8. This strong limit excludes to a great extent a possible emission of a gamma-ray burst with an optical counterpart associated with GW170814.

Exciting black hole modes via misaligned coalescences. I. Inspiral, transition, and plunge trajectories using a generalized Ori-Thorne procedure

The last gravitational waves emitted in the coalescence of two black holes are quasi-normal ringing modes of the merged remnant. In general relativity, the mass and the spin of the remnant black hole uniquely determine the frequency and damping time of each radiated mode. The amplitudes of these modes are determined by the mass ratio of the system and the geometry of the coalescence. This paper is part I of an analysis that aims to compute the "excitation factors" associated with misaligned binary black hole coalescence. To simplify the analysis, we consider a large mass ratio system consisting of a non-spinning body of mass $\mu$ that inspirals on a quasi-circular trajectory into a Kerr black hole of mass $M$ and spin parameter $a$, with $\mu/M \ll 1$. Our goal is to understand how different modes are excited as a function of the black hole spin $a$ and an angle $I$ which characterizes the misalignment of the orbit with the black hole's spin axis. Though the large mass ratio limit does not describe the binaries that are being observed by gravitational-wave detectors today, this limit makes it possible to quickly and easily explore the binary parameter space, and to develop insight into how the system's late ringing waves depend on the binary's geometry. In this first analysis, we develop the worldline which the small body follows as it inspirals and then plunges into the large black hole. Our analysis generalizes earlier work by Ori and Thorne to describe how a non-equatorial circular inspiral transitions into a plunging trajectory that falls into the black hole. The worldlines which we develop here are used in part II as input to a time-domain black hole perturbation solver. This solver computes the gravitational waves generated by such inspirals and plunges, making it possible to characterize the modes which the coalescence excites.

Exciting black hole modes via misaligned coalescences. II. The mode content of late-time coalescence waveforms

Using inspiral and plunge trajectories we construct with a generalized Ori-Thorne algorithm, we use a time-domain black hole perturbation theory code to compute the corresponding gravitational waves. The last cycles of these waveforms are a superposition of Kerr quasinormal modes. In this paper, we examine how the modes' excitations vary as a function of source parameters, such as the larger black hole's spin and the geometry of the smaller body's inspiral and plunge. We find that the mixture of quasinormal modes that characterize the final gravitational waves from a coalescence is entirely determined by the spin $a$ of the larger black hole, an angle $I$ which characterizes the misalignment of the orbital plane from the black hole's spin axis, a second angle $\theta_{\rm fin}$ which describes the location at which the small body crosses the black hole's event horizon, and the direction sgn$(\dot\theta_{\rm fin})$ of the body's final motion. If these large-mass-ratio results hold at less extreme mass ratios, then measuring multiple ringdown modes of binary black hole coalescence gravitational waves may provide important information about the source's binary properties, such as the misalignment of the orbit's angular momentum with black hole spin. This may be particularly useful for large mass binaries, for which the early inspiral waves are out of the detectors' most sensitive band.

Bounding alternative theories of gravity with multiband GW observations

We study the constraints on alternative theories of gravity that can be determined by multi-band observations of gravitational wave signals emitted from binary black hole coalescences. We focus on three types of General Relativity modifications induced by a generalised Brans-Dicke theory, and two classes of quadratic gravity, Einstein-dilaton-Gauss-Bonnet and dynamical Chern-Simons. Considering a network of space and ground-based detectors, supplied by a population of spinning binaries black hole, we show how the multi-band analysis improves the existing bounds on the theory's parameters by several orders of magnitude, for both pre- and post-Newtonian deviations. Our results also show the fundamental role played by an interferometer in the frequency range between LISA and advanced detectors, in constraining possible deviations from General Relativity.

Spins of primordial binary black holes before coalescence

Primordial stellar-mass black holes, which may contribute to dark matter and to the observed LIGO binary black hole coalescences, are expected to be born with very low spins. Here we show that accretion mass gain by the components of a primordial black hole binary from the surrounding matter could lead to noticeable spins of the components prior to the coalescence provided high initial orbital eccentricities.

GW150914 peak frequency: a novel consistency test of strong-field general relativity

We introduce a novel test of general relativity in the strong-field regime of a binary black hole coalescence. Combining information coming from numerical relativity simulations of coalescing black hole binaries with a Bayesian reconstruction of the gravitational wave signal detected in LIGO-Virgo interferometric data, allows one to test theoretical predictions for the instantaneous gravitational wave frequency measured at the peak of the gravitational wave signal amplitude. We present the construction of such a test and apply it on the first gravitational wave event detected by the LIGO and Virgo Collaborations, GW150914. The p -value obtained is p = 0.48, to be contrasted with an expected value of p = 0.5, so that no signs of violations from general relativity were detected.

Empirical tests of the black hole no-hair conjecture using gravitational-wave observations

We show that second-generation gravitational-wave detectors at their design sensitivity will allow us to directly probe the ringdown phase of binary black hole coalescences. This opens the possibility to test the so-called black hole no-hair conjecture in a statistically rigorous way. Using state-of-the-art numerical relativity-tuned waveform models and dedicated methods to effectively isolate the quasi-stationary perturbative regime where a ringdown description is valid, we demonstrate the capability of measuring the physical parameters of the remnant black hole, and subsequently determining parameterized deviations from the ringdown of Kerr black holes. By combining information from $\mathcal{O}(5)$ binary black hole mergers with realistic signal-to-noise ratios achievable with the current generation of detectors, the validity of the no-hair conjecture can be verified with an accuracy of $\sim 1.5\%$ at $90\%$ confidence.

Multipolar gravitational waveforms and ringdowns generated during the plunge from the innermost stable circular orbit into a Schwarzschild black hole

We study the gravitational radiation emitted by a massive point particle plunging from slightly below the innermost stable circular orbit into a Schwarzschild black hole. We consider both even- and odd-parity perturbations and describe them using the two gauge-invariant master functions of Cunningham, Price, and Moncrief. We obtain, for arbitrary directions of observation and, in particular, outside the orbital plane of the plunging particle, the regularized multipolar waveforms, i.e., the waveforms constructed by summing over of a large number of modes, and their unregularized counterparts constructed from the quasinormal-mode spectrum. They are in excellent agreement and our results permit us to especially emphasize the impact on the distortion of the waveforms of (i) the harmonics beyond the dominant $(\ell=2,m=\pm 2)$ modes and (ii) the direction of observation, and therefore the necessity to take them into account in the analysis of the last phase of binary black hole coalescence.

Merger Rate Distribution of Primordial Black Hole Binaries

Abstract Up to now several gravitational-wave events from the coalescences of black hole binaries have been reported by LIGO/VIRGO, and imply that black holes should have an extended mass function. We work out the merger rate distribution of primordial black hole (PBH) binaries with a general mass function by taking into account the torques by all PBHs and linear density perturbations. In the future, many more coalescences of black hole binaries are expected to be detected, and the one-dimensional and two-dimensional merger rate distributions will be crucial for reconstructing the mass function of PBHs.

Searching for Near-Horizon Quantum Structures in the Binary Black-Hole Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background.

Quantum gravity corrections have been speculated to lead to modifications to space-time geometry near black-hole horizons. Such structures may reflect gravitational waves, causing echoes that follow the main gravitational waves from binary black-hole coalescence. By studying two phenomenological models of the near-horizon structures under the Schwarzschild approximation, we show that such echoes, if they exist, will give rise to a stochastic gravitational-wave background, which is very substantial if the near-horizon structure has a near-unity reflectivity for gravitational waves, readily detectable by Advanced LIGO. In case the reflectivity is much less than unity, the background will mainly be arising from the first echo, with a level proportional to the power reflectivity of the near-horizon structure, but robust against uncertainties in the location and the shape of the structure-as long as it is localized and close to the horizon. Sensitivity of third-generation detectors allows the detection of a background that corresponds to power reflectivity ∼3×10^{-3}, if uncertainties in the binary black-hole merger rate can be removed. We note that the echoes do alter the f^{2/3} power law of the background spectra at low frequencies, which is rather robust against uncertainties.

Synergy between ground and space based gravitational wave detectors. Part II: Localisation

We study the advantage of combining measurements from future ground and space based gravitational wave detectors in estimating the parameters of a black-hole binary coalescence. This is an extension of our previous work (Prog. Theor. Exp. Phys. 2016} (2016) 053E01}) where we used pattern averaged waveform to study non-spinning binaries. In this work we study the localisation and binary plane orientation, including the (non-precessing) spin of binaries. We focus on the third generation terrestrial detector `Einstein telescope' and a proposed space based detector `Deci-Hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory' (DECIGO). We consider two possible orbits for DECIGO, a helio-centric orbit and a Sun-synchronous geo-centric orbit. We demonstrate that one can obtain order of magnitude improvement in the localisation from the space-ground combined measurements, even with a precursor-DECIGO mission (B-DECIGO). This is especially important for the future of gravitational wave astronomy as improving the localisation accuracy further improves our chances of identifying the host galaxies of these binary systems.

Reducing the number of templates for aligned-spin compact binary coalescence gravitational wave searches using metric-agnostic template nudging

Efficient multi-dimensional template placement is crucial in computationally intensive matched-filtering searches for Gravitational Waves (GWs). Here, we implement the Neighboring Cell Algorithm (NCA) to improve the detection volume of an existing Compact Binary Coalescence (CBC) template bank. This algorithm has already been successfully applied for a binary millisecond pulsar search in data from the Fermi satellite. It repositions templates from over-dense regions to under-dense regions and reduces the number of templates that would have been required by a stochastic method to achieve the same detection volume. Our method is readily generalizable to other CBC parameter spaces. Here we apply this method to the aligned--single-spin neutron-star--black-hole binary coalescence inspiral-merger-ringdown gravitational wave parameter space. We show that the template nudging algorithm can attain the equivalent effectualness of the stochastic method with 12% fewer templates.

A new quantum speed-meter interferometer: measuring speed to search for intermediate mass black holes

The recent discovery of gravitational waves (GW) by Advanced LIGO (Laser Interferometric Gravitational-wave Observatory) has impressively launched the novel field of gravitational astronomy and allowed us to glimpse exciting objects about which we could previously only speculate. Further sensitivity improvements at the low-frequency end of the detection band of future GW observatories must rely on quantum non-demolition (QND) methods to suppress fundamental quantum fluctuations of the light fields used to readout the GW signal. Here we present a novel concept of how to turn a conventional Michelson interferometer into a QND speed-meter interferometer with coherently suppressed quantum back-action noise. We use two orthogonal polarizations of light and an optical circulator to couple them. We carry out a detailed analysis of how imperfections and optical loss influence the achievable sensitivity. We find that the proposed configuration significantly enhances the low-frequency sensitivity and increases the observable event rate of binary black-hole coalescences in the range of 10^2 - 10^3,M_ odot by a factor of up to ~300.

Seismic cross-coupling noise in torsion pendulums

Detection of low frequency gravitational waves around 0.1 Hz is one of the important targets for future gravitational wave observation. One of the main sources of the expected signals is gravi- tational waves from binary intermediate-mass black hole coalescences which is proposed as one of the formation scenarios of supermassive black holes. By using a torsion pendulum, which can have a resonance frequency of a few millihertz, such signals can be measured on the ground since its rotational motion can act as a free mass down to 0.01 Hz. However, sensitivity of a realistic tor- sion pendulum will suffer from torsional displacement noise introduced from translational ground motion in the main frequency band of interest. Such noise is called seismic cross-coupling noise and there have been little research on it. In this paper, systematic investigation is performed to identify routes of cross-coupling transfer for standard torsion pendulums. Based on the results this paper also proposes reduction schemes of cross-coupling noise, and they were demonstrated experimen- tally in agreement with theory. This result establishes a basic way to reduce seismic noise in torsion pendulums for the most significant coupling routes.

Could GRB170817A be really correlated to an NS–NS merging?

The exciting development of gravitational wave (GW) astronomy in the correlation of LIGO and VIRGO detection of GW signals makes possible to expect registration of effects of not only binary black hole (BH) coalescence but also binary neutron star (NS) merging accompanied by electromagnetic (gamma ray burst; GRB) signal. Here we consider the possibility that an NS, merging in an NS–NS or NS–BH system might be (soon) observed in correlation with any LIGO–VIRGO GWs detection. We analyze as an example the recent case of the short GRB170817A observed by Fermi and integral. The associated optical transient (OT) source in NGC4993 implies a rare near source, a consequent averaged large rate of such events (almost) compatible with expected NS–NS merging rate. However the expected beamed GRB (or short GRB) may be mostly aligned to a different direction than ours. Therefore, even soft GRB photons, spread more than hard ones, might be hardly able to shower to us. Nevertheless, a prompt spiraling electron turbine jet in largest magnetic fields, at the base of the NS–NS collapse, might shine by its tangential synchrotron radiation in spread way with its skimming photons shining in large open disk. The consequent solid angle for such soft disk gamma radiation may be large enough to be nevertheless often observed.

Gravitational lensing of gravitational waves: a statistical perspective

In this paper, we study the strong gravitational lensing of gravitational waves (GWs) from a statistical perspective, with particular focus on the high frequency GWs from stellar binary black hole coalescences. These are most promising targets for ground-based detectors such as Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (aLIGO) and the proposed Einstein Telescope (ET) and can be safely treated under the geometrical optics limit for GW propagation. We perform a thorough calculation of the lensing rate, by taking account of effects caused by the ellipticity of lensing galaxies, lens environments, and magnification bias. We find that in certain GW source rate scenarios, we should be able to observe strongly lensed GW events once per year ($\sim1~\text{yr}^{-1}$) in the aLIGO survey at its design sensitivity; for the proposed ET survey, the rate could be as high as $\sim80~\text{yr}^{-1}$. These results depend on the estimate of GW source abundance, and hence can be correspondingly modified with an improvement in our understanding of the merger rate of stellar binary black holes. We also compute the fraction of four-image lens systems in each survey, predicting it to be $\sim30$ per cent for the aLIGO survey and $\sim6$ per cent for the ET survey. Finally, we evaluate the possibility of missing some images due to the finite survey duration, by presenting the probability distribution of lensing time delays. We predict that this selection bias will be insignificant in future GW surveys, as most of the lens systems ($\sim90$ per cent) will have time delays less than $\sim1$ month, which will be far shorter than survey durations.