Laser Interferometer Space Antenna Observations Research Articles

Prospects of detecting deviations to Kerr geometry with radiation reaction effects in EMRIs

Direct detection of gravitational waves and binary black hole mergers have proven to be remarkable investigations of general relativity. In order to have a definitive answer as to whether the black hole spacetime under test is the Kerr or non-Kerr, one requires accurate mapping of the metric. Since EMRIs are perfect candidates for space-based detectors, Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) observations will serve a crucial purpose in mapping the spacetime metric. In this article, we consider such a study with the Johannsen spacetime that captures the deviations from the Kerr black hole and further discuss their detection prospects. We analytically derive the leading order post-Newtonian corrections in the average loss of energy and angular momentum fluxes generated by a stellar-mass object exhibiting eccentric equatorial motion in the Johannsen background. We further study the orbital evolution of the inspiralling object within the adiabatic approximation. We lastly provide the possible detectability of deviations from the Kerr black hole by estimating gravitational wave dephasing and highlight the crucial role of LISA observations.

Probing the Efficiency of Tidal Synchronization in Outspiralling Double White Dwarf Binaries with LISA

Compact-object binaries including a white dwarf component are unique among gravitational-wave sources because their evolution is governed not just by general relativity and tides, but also by mass transfer. While the black hole and neutron star binaries observed with ground-based gravitational-wave detectors are driven to inspiral due to the emission of gravitational radiation—manifesting as a “chirp-like” gravitational-wave signal—the astrophysical processes at work in double white dwarf (DWD) systems can cause the inspiral to stall and even reverse into an outspiral. The dynamics of the DWD outspiral thus encode information about tides, which tell us about the behavior of electron-degenerate matter. We carry out a population study to determine the effect of the strength of tides on the distributions of the DWD binary parameters that the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be able to constrain. We find that the strength of tidal coupling parameterized via the tidal synchronization timescale at the onset of mass transfer affects the distribution of gravitational-wave frequencies and frequency derivatives for detectably mass-transferring DWD systems. Using a hierarchical Bayesian framework informed by binary population synthesis simulations, we demonstrate how this parameter can be inferred using LISA observations. By measuring the population properties of DWDs, LISA will be able to probe the behavior of electron-degenerate matter.

Primordial black holes and third order scalar induced gravitational waves* *Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (12075249, 11690022), and the Key Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDPB15)

The process of primordial black hole (PBH) formation is inevitably accompanied by scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs). The strong correlation between PBH and SIGW signals may offer a promising approach to detecting PBHs in upcoming gravitational wave experiments, such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). We investigate third order SIGWs during a radiation-dominated era in the case of the monochromatic primordial power spectrum . For LISA observations, the relationships between the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and monochromatic primordial power spectrum are studied systematically, revealing that the effects of third order SIGWs extend the cutoff frequency from to and lead to an approximately 200% increase in the SNR for the frequency band from Hz to Hz, corresponding to PBHs with masses in the range . We find that there is a critical value, , for the amplitude of the monochromatic primordial power spectra, such that when , the energy density of third order SIGWs is larger than that of second order SIGWs.

The large magellanic cloud revealed in gravitational waves with LISA

ABSTRACTThe Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will unveil the non-transient gravitational wave sky full of inspiralling stellar-mass compact binaries within the local universe. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is expected to be prominent on the LISA sky due to its proximity and its large population of double white dwarfs (DWD). Here, we present the first dedicated study of the LMC with gravitational wave sources. We assemble three LMC models based on: (1) the density distribution and star formation history from optical wavelength observations, (2) a detailed hydrodynamic simulation, and (3) combining the two. Our models yield a hundred to several hundred detectable DWDs: indeed, the LMC will be a resolved galaxy in the LISA sky. Importantly, amongst these we forecast a few tens to a hundred double degenerate supernovae type Ia progenitors, a class of binaries which have never been unambiguously observed. The range in the number of detections is primarily due to differences in the LMC total stellar mass and recent star formation in our models. Our results suggest that the total number, periods, and chirp masses of LISA sources may provide independent constraints on both LMC stellar mass and recent star formation by comparing LISA observations with the models, although such constraints will be highly model-dependent. Our publicly available model populations may be used in future studies of the LMC, including its structure and contribution to LISA confusion noise.

Gravitational wave from extreme mass-ratio inspirals as a probe of extra dimensions

The field of gravitational waves is rapidly progressing due to the noticeable advancements in the sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors that has enabled the detection prospects of binary black hole mergers. Extreme mass-ratio inspiral (EMRI) is one of the most compelling and captivating binary systems in this direction, with the detection possibility by the future space-based gravitational wave detector. In this article, we consider an EMRI system where the primary or the central object is a spherically symmetric static braneworld black hole that carries a tidal charge Q. We estimate the effect of the tidal charge on total gravitational wave flux and orbital phase due to a non-spinning secondary inspiralling the primary. We further highlight the observational implications of the tidal charge in EMRI waveforms. We show that LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) observations can put a much stronger constraint on this parameter than black hole shadow and ground-based gravitational wave observations, which can potentially probe the existence of extra dimensions.

Probing the z ≳ 6 quasars in a universe with IllustrisTNG physics: impact of gas-based black hole seeding models

ABSTRACT We explore implications of a range of black hole (BH) seeding prescriptions on the formation of the brightest $z$ ≳ 6 quasars in cosmological hydrodynamic simulations. The underlying galaxy formation model is the same as in the IllustrisTNG simulations. Using constrained initial conditions, we study the growth of BHs in rare overdense regions (forming $\gtrsim 10^{12}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\,h^{-1}$ haloes by $z$ = 7) using a  (9 Mpc h−1)3 simulated volume. BH growth is maximal within haloes that are compact and have a low tidal field. For these haloes, we consider an array of gas-based seeding prescriptions wherein $M_{\mathrm{seed}}=10^4\!-\!10^6\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\,h^{-1}$ seeds are inserted in haloes above critical thresholds for halo mass and dense, metal-poor gas mass (defined as $\tilde{M}_{\mathrm{h}}$ and $\tilde{M}_{\mathrm{sf,mp}}$, respectively, in units of Mseed). We find that a seed model with $\tilde{M}_{\mathrm{sf,mp}}=5$ and $\tilde{M}_{\mathrm{h}}=3000$ successfully produces a $z$ ∼ 6 quasar with $\sim 10^9\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ mass and ∼1047 erg s−1 luminosity. BH mergers play a crucial role at $z$ ≳ 9, causing an early boost in BH mass at a time when accretion-driven BH growth is negligible. With more stringent seeding conditions (e.g. $\tilde{M}_{\mathrm{sf,mp}}=1000$), the relative paucity of BH seeds results in a much lower merger rate. In this case, $z$ ≳ 6 quasars can only be formed if we enhance the maximum allowed BH accretion rates (by factors ≳10) compared to the accretion model used in IllustrisTNG. This can be achieved either by allowing for super-Eddington accretion, or by reducing the radiative efficiency. Our results demonstrate that progenitors of $z$ ∼ 6 quasars have distinct BH merger histories for different seeding models, which will be distinguishable with Laser Interferometer Space Antenna observations.

Testing the quasar Hubble diagram with LISA standard sirens

Quasars have recently been used as an absolute distance indicator, extending the Hubble diagram to high redshift to reveal a deviation from the expansion history predicted for the standard, $\Lambda$CDM cosmology. Here we show that the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will efficiently test this claim with standard sirens at high redshift, defined by the coincident gravitational wave (GW) and electromagnetic (EM) observations of the merger of massive black hole binaries (MBHBs). Assuming a fiducial $\Lambda$CDM cosmology for generating mock standard siren datasets, the evidence for the $\Lambda$CDM model with respect to an alternative model inferred from quasar data is investigated. By simulating many realizations of possible future LISA observations, we find that for $50\%$ of these realizations (median result) 4 MBHB standard siren measurements will suffice to strongly differentiate between the two models, while 14 standard sirens will yield a similar result in $95\%$ of the realizations. In addition, we investigate the measurement precision of cosmological parameters as a function of the number of observed LISA MBHB standard sirens, finding that 15 events will on average achieve a relative precision of 5\% for $H_0$, reducing to 3\% and 2\% with 25 and 40 events, respectively. Our investigation clearly highlights the potential of LISA as a cosmological probe able to accurately map the expansion of the universe at $z\gtrsim 2$, and as a tool to cross-check and cross-validate cosmological EM measurements with complementary GW observations.

The Milky Way’s bar structural properties from gravitational waves

ABSTRACT The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will enable Galactic gravitational wave (GW) astronomy by individually resolving >104 signals from double white dwarf (DWD) binaries throughout the Milky Way. Since GWs are unaffected by stellar crowding and dust extinction unlike optical observations of the Galactic plane, in this work, we assess for the first time the potential of LISA to map the Galactic stellar bar and spiral arms. To achieve this goal, we combine a realistic population of Galactic DWDs with a high-resolution N-body Galactic simulation in good agreement with current observations of the Milky Way. We then model GW signals from our synthetic DWD population and reconstruct the structure of the simulated Galaxy from mock LISA observations. Our results show that while the low-density contrast between the background disc and the spiral arms hampers our ability to characterize the spiral structure, the stellar bar will clearly appear in the GW map of the bulge. The axial ratio derived from the synthetic observations agrees within 1σ with the reference value, although the scale lengths are underestimated. We also recover the bar viewing angle to within 1° and the bar’s physical length to within 0.2 kpc. This shows that LISA can provide independent constraints on the bar’s structural parameter, competitive compared to those from electromagnetic tracers. We therefore foresee that synergistic use of GWs and electromagnetic tracers will be a powerful strategy to map the Milky Way’s bar and bulge.

Linking gravitational waves and X-ray phenomena with joint LISA and Athena observations

The evolution of cosmic structures, the formation and growth of the first black holes and the connection to their baryonic environment are key unsolved problems in astrophysics. The X-ray Athena mission and the gravitational-wave Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) offer independent and complementary angles on these problems. We show that up to about 10 black hole binaries in the mass range of approximately 105 to 108 solar masses discovered by LISA at redshift below about 3.5 could be detected by Athena in an exposure time up to 100 ks, if prompt X-ray emission of 1–10% of the Eddington luminosity is present. Likewise, if any LISA-detected extreme-mass-ratio inspirals occur in accretion disks, Athena can detect associated electromagnetic emission out to a redshift of about 1. Finally, warned by LISA, Athena can point in advance and stare at stellar-mass binary black hole mergers at redshift less than about 0.1. These science opportunities emphasize the vast discovery space of simultaneous observations from the two observatories, which would be missed if they were operated in different epochs. This Perspective highlights the science opportunities and the vast discovery space of simultaneous observations from the LISA and Athena observatories, which would be missed if they were operated in different epochs .

Prospects for Gravitational Wave Measurement of ZTF J1539+5027

Abstract The short-period eclipsing binary ZTF J1539+5027 discovered by Burdge et al. will be a strong gravitational-wave source for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). We study how well LISA will constrain the parameters of this system by analyzing simulated gravitational-wave data, and find that LISA observations will significantly improve measurements of the distance and inclination of the source, and allow for novel constraints to be placed on the speed of gravity.

General relativistic orbital decay in a seven-minute-orbital-period eclipsing binary system.

General relativity1 predicts that short-orbital-period binaries emit considerable amounts of gravitational radiation. The upcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna2 (LISA) is expected to detect tens of thousands of such systems3 but few have been identified4, of which only one5 is eclipsing-the double-white-dwarf binary SDSS J065133.338+284423.37, which has an orbital period of 12.75 minutes. Here we report the discovery of an eclipsing double-white-dwarf binary system, ZTF J153932.16+502738.8, with an orbital period of 6.91 minutes. This system has an orbit so compact that the entire binary could fit within the diameter of the planet Saturn. The system exhibits a deep eclipse, and a double-lined spectroscopic nature. We see rapid orbital decay, consistent with that expected from general relativity. ZTF J153932.16+502738.8 is a strong source of gravitational radiation close to the peak of LISA's sensitivity, and we expect it to be detected within the first week of LISA observations, once LISA launches in approximately 2034.

Detecting hierarchical stellar systems with LISA

A significant fraction of stars are members of gravitationally bound hierarchies containing three or more components. Almost all low mass stars in binaries with periods shorter three days are part of a hierarchical system. We therefore anticipate that a large fraction of compact galactic binaries detected by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be members of hierarchical triple or quadruple system. The acceleration imparted by the hierarchical companions can be detected in the gravitational wave signal for outer periods as large as 100 years. For systems with periods that are shorter than, or comparable to, the mission lifetime, it will be possible to measure the period and eccentricity of the outer orbit. LISA observations of hierarchical stellar systems will provide insight into stellar evolution, including the role that Kozai-Lidov oscillations play in driving systems towards merger.

Constraining the black hole mass spectrum with gravitational wave observations - II. Direct comparison of detailed models

A number of scenarios have been proposed for the origin of the supermassive black holes (SMBHs) that are found in the centres of most galaxies. Many such scenarios predict a high-redshift population of massive black holes (MBHs), with masses in the range 100 to 100000 times that of the Sun. When the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is finally operational, it is likely that it will detect on the order of 100 of these MBH binaries as they merge. The differences between proposed population models produce appreciable effects in the portion of the population which is detectable by LISA, so it is likely that the LISA observations will allow us to place constraints on them. However, gravitational wave detectors such as LISA will not be able to detect all such mergers nor assign precise black hole parameters to the merger, due to weak gravitational wave signal strengths. This paper explores LISA's ability to distinguish between several MBH population models. In this way, we go beyond predicting a LISA observed population and consider the extent to which LISA observations could inform astrophysical modellers. The errors in LISA parameter estimation are applied with a direct method which generates random sample parameters for each source in a population realisation. We consider how the distinguishability varies depending on the choice of source parameters (1 or 2 parameters chosen from masses, redshift or spins) used to characterise the model distributions, with confidence levels determined by 1 and 2-dimensional tests based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.

LISA extreme-mass-ratio inspiral events as probes of the black hole mass function

One of the sources of gravitational waves for the proposed space-based gravitational wave detector, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), are the inspirals of compact objects into supermassive black holes in the centres of galaxies - extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs). Using LISA observations, we will be able to measure the parameters of each EMRI system detected to very high precision. However, the statistics of the set of EMRI events observed by LISA will be more important in constraining astrophysical models than extremely precise measurements for individual systems. The black holes to which LISA is most sensitive are in a mass range that is difficult to probe using other techniques, so LISA provides an almost unique window onto these objects. In this paper we explore, using Bayesian techniques, the constraints that LISA EMRI observations can place on the mass function of black holes at low redshift. We describe a general framework for approaching inference of this type --- using multiple observations in combination to constrain a parameterised source population. Assuming that the scaling of EMRI rate with black hole mass is known and taking a black hole distribution given by a simple power law, dn/d(ln M) = A (M/M_*)^b, we find that LISA could measure the parameters to a precision of D(ln A) ~ 0.08, and D(b) ~ 0.03 for a reference model that predicts ~1000 events. Even with as few as 10 events, LISA should constrain the slope to a precision ~0.3, which is the current level of observational uncertainty in the low-mass slope of the black hole mass function. We also consider a model in which A and b evolve with redshift, but find that EMRI observations alone do not have much power to probe such an evolution.

Probing black holes at low redshift using LISA EMRI observations

One of the most exciting potential sources of gravitational waves for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) are the inspirals of approximately solar mass compact objects into massive black holes in the centres of galaxies—extreme mass ratio inspirals (EMRIs). LISA should observe between a few tens and a few hundred EMRIs over the mission lifetime, mostly at low redshifts (z≲ 1). Each observation will provide a measurement of the parameters of the host system to unprecendented precision. LISA EMRI observations will thus offer a new and unique way to probe black holes at low redshift. In this paper we provide a description of the population of EMRI events that LISA is likely to observe, and describe how the numbers of events vary with changes in the underlying assumptions about the black hole population. We also provide fitting functions that characterize LISA's ability to detect EMRIs and which will allow LISA event rates to be computed for arbitrary population models. We finish with a discussion of an ongoing programme that will use these results to assess what constraints LISA observations could place on galaxy evolution models.

Constraining effective quantum gravity with LISA

All modern routes leading to a quantum theory of gravity – i.e., perturbative quantum gravitational one-loop exact correction to the global chiral current in the standard model, string theory, and perhaps even loop quantum gravity – require supplementing the Einstein-Hilbert action with a parity-violating Chern-Simons term. Such a term leads to amplitude-birefringent gravitational wave propagation: i.e., one (circular) polarization state amplified with propagation while the other is attenuated. The proposed Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is capable of observing gravitational wave sources at cosmological distances, suggesting the possibility that LISA observations may place a strong bound on this manifestation of quantum gravity. Here we report on a calculation of the effect that spacetime amplitude birefringence has on the signal LISA is capable of observing from inspiraling supermassive black hole binaries at large redshift. We find that the birefringence manifests itself in the observations as an anomalous precession of the binary's orbital angular momentum as it evolves toward coalescence, whose magnitude depends on the integrated history of the Chern-Simons coupling over the worldline of radiation wavefront. We estimate that LISA could place bounds on Chern-Simons modified gravity that are several orders of magnitude stronger than the present Solar System constraints, thus providing a probe of the quantum structure of spacetime.

Effect of higher harmonic corrections on the detection of massive black hole binaries with LISA

Massive black hole binaries are key targets for the space based gravitational wave Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Several studies have investigated how LISA observations could be used to constrain the parameters of these systems. Until recently, most of these studies have ignored the higher harmonic corrections to the waveforms. Here we analyze the effects of the higher harmonics in more detail by performing extensive Monte Carlo simulations. We pay particular attention to how the higher harmonics impact parameter correlations, and show that the additional harmonics help mitigate the impact of having two laser links fail, by allowing for an instantaneous measurement of the gravitational wave polarization with a single interferometer channel. By looking at parameter correlations we are able to explain why certain mass ratios provide dramatic improvements in certain parameter estimations, and illustrate how the improved polarization measurement improves the prospects for single interferometer operation.

The stochastic gravitational-wave background from massive black hole binary systems: implications for observations with Pulsar Timing Arrays

Massive black hole binary systems, with masses in the range ~10^4-10^10 \msun, are among the primary sources of gravitational waves in the frequency window ~10^-9 Hz - 0.1 Hz. Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs) and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) are the observational means by which we will be able to observe gravitational radiation from these systems. We carry out a systematic study of the generation of the stochastic gravitational-wave background from the cosmic population of massive black hole binaries. We consider a wide variety of assembly scenarios and we estimate the range of signal strength in the frequency band accessible to PTAs. We show that, taking into account the uncertainties surrounding the actual key model parameters, the amplitude lies in the interval h_c(f = 10^-8 Hz)~5x10^-16 - 8x10^-15. The most optimistic predictions place the signal level at a factor of ~3 below the current sensitivity of Pulsar Timing Arrays, but within the detection range of the complete Parkes PTA for a wide variety of models, and of the future Square-Kilometer-Array PTA for all the models considered here. We also show that at frequencies >10^-8 Hz the frequency dependency of the generated background follows a power-law significantly steeper than f^-2/3, that has been considered so far. Finally we show that LISA observations of individual resolvable massive black hole binaries are complementary and orthogonal to PTA observations of a stochastic background from the whole population in the Universe. In fact, the detection of gravitational radiation in both frequency windows will enable us to fully characterise the cosmic history of massive black holes.

Using LISA extreme-mass-ratio inspiral sources to test off-Kerr deviations in the geometry of massive black holes

Inspirals of stellar-mass compact objects (COs) into ~106M[sun] black holes are especially interesting sources of gravitational waves for the planned Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). The orbits of these extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) are highly relativistic, displaying extreme versions of both perihelion precession and Lense-Thirring precession of the orbital plane. We investigate the question of whether the emitted waveforms can be used to strongly constrain the geometry of the central massive object, and in essence check that it corresponds to a Kerr black hole (BH). For a Kerr BH, all multipole moments of the spacetime have a simple, unique relation to M and S, the BH mass, and spin; in particular, the spacetime's mass quadrupole moment Q is given by Q=-S2/M. Here we treat Q as an additional parameter, independent of S and M, and ask how well observation can constrain its difference from the Kerr value. This was already estimated by Ryan, but for the simplified case of circular, equatorial orbits, and Ryan also neglected the signal modulations arising from the motion of the LISA satellites. We consider generic orbits and include the modulations due to the satellite motions. For this analysis, we use a family of approximate (basically post-Newtonian) waveforms, which represent the full parameter space of EMRI sources, and which exhibit the main qualitative features of true, general relativistic waveforms. We extend this parameter space to include (in an approximate manner) an arbitrary value of Q, and then construct the Fisher information matrix for the extended parameter space. By inverting the Fisher matrix, we estimate how accurately Q could be extracted from LISA observations of EMRIs. For 1 yr of coherent data from the inspiral of a 10M[sun] black hole into rotating black holes of masses 105.5M[sun], 106M[sun], or 106.5M[sun], we find Delta(Q/M3)~10-4, 10-3, or 10-2, respectively (assuming total signal-to-noise ratio of 100, typical of the brightest detectable EMRIs). These results depend only weakly on the eccentricity of the inspiral orbit or the spin of the central object.

LISA observations of massive black hole mergers: event rates and issues in waveform modelling

The observability of gravitational waves from supermassive and intermediate-mass black holes by the forthcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), and the physics we can learn from the observations, will depend on two basic factors: the event rates for massive black hole mergers occurring in the LISA best sensitivity window and our theoretical knowledge of the gravitational waveforms. We first provide a concise review of the literature on LISA event rates for massive black hole mergers, as predicted by different formation scenarios. Then we discuss what (in our view) are the most urgent issues to address in terms of waveform modelling. For massive black hole binary inspiral, these include spin precession, eccentricity, the effect of high-order post-Newtonian terms in the amplitude and phase and an accurate prediction of the transition from inspiral to plunge. For black hole ringdown, numerical relativity will ultimately be required to determine the relative quasinormal mode excitation and to reduce the dimensionality of the template space in matched filtering.