Merger Rate Research Articles

Unbiased estimation of gravitational-wave anisotropies from noisy data

One of the most exciting targets of current and future gravitational-wave observations is the angular power spectrum of the astrophysical GW background. This cumulative signal encodes information about the large-scale structure of the Universe, as well as the formation and evolution of compact binaries throughout cosmic time. However, the finite rate of compact binary mergers gives rise to , which introduces a significant bias in measurements of the angular power spectrum if not explicitly accounted for. Previous work showed that this bias can be removed by cross-correlating GW sky maps constructed from different observing times. However, this work considered an idealized measurement scenario, ignoring detector specifics and in particular noise contributions. Here we extend this temporal cross-correlation method to account for these difficulties, allowing us to implement the first unbiased anisotropic search pipeline for LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data. In doing so, we show that the existing pipeline is biased , due to previously neglected subleading contributions to the noise covariance. We apply our pipeline to mock LIGO data, and find that our improved analysis will be crucial for stochastic searches from the current observing run (O4) onwards. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

The Population of Massive Stars in Active Galactic Nuclei Disks

Gravitational instability in the outskirts of active galactic nuclei (AGN) disks leads to disk fragmentation and formation of ∼300 M ⊙ supermassive stars with potentially long lifetimes. Alternatively, stars can be captured ex situ and grow from gas accretion in the AGN disk. However, the number density distribution throughout the disk is limited by thermal feedback as their luminosities provide the dominant heating source. We derive equilibrium stellar surface density profiles under two limiting contexts: in the case where the stellar lifetimes are prolonged, due to the recycling of hydrogen-rich disk gas, only the fraction of gas converted into heat is removed from the disk accretion flow. Alternatively, if stellar composition recycling is inefficient and stars can evolve off the main sequence, the disk accretion rate is quenched toward smaller radii resembling a classical starburst disk, albeit the effective removal rate depends not only on the stellar lifetime, but also the mass of stellar remnants. For AGNs with central supermassive black hole masses of ∼106–108 M ⊙ accreting at ∼0.1 Eddington efficiency, we estimate a total number of 103–105 massive stars and the rate of stellar mergers to be 10−3 to 1 yr−1. We initiate the detailed study of the interaction between a swarm of massive stars through hydro and N-body simulations to provide better prescriptions of dynamical processes in AGN disks, and to constrain more accurate estimates of the stellar population.

Mass-redshift dependency of supermassive black hole binaries for the gravitational wave background

ABSTRACT Studying how the black hole (BH)–(galaxy) bulge mass relation evolves with redshift provides valuable insights into the co-evolution of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. However, obtaining accurate measurement of BH masses is challenging due to the bias towards the most massive and luminous galaxies. Instead, we focus on the BH and bulge masses as they vary with redshift using the EAGLE, Illustris, TNG100, TNG300, Horizon-AGN, and SIMBA large-scale cosmological simulations. We use an analytical astrophysical model with galaxy stellar mass function, pair fraction, merger time-scale and BH–bulge mass relation extended to include redshift evolution. The model can predict the intensity of the gravitational wave background (GWB) produced by a population of supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) as a function of the frequency. This allows us to compare the predictions of this model with the constraints of pulsar timing array observations. Here, we employ Bayesian analysis for the parameter inference. We find that all six simulations are consistent $\le 3.5\sigma$ with a range of simulated GWB spectra. By fixing the BH–bulge mass parameters to the simulations we analyse the changes in the constraints on the other astrophysical parameters. Furthermore, we also examine the variation in SMBHB merger rate with mass and redshift between these large-scale simulations.

Characterizing ultra-high-redshift dark matter halo demographics and assembly histories with the gureft simulations

ABSTRACT Dark matter halo demographics and assembly histories are a manifestation of cosmological structure formation and have profound implications for the formation and evolution of galaxies. In particular, merger trees provide fundamental input for several modelling techniques, such as semi-analytic models (SAMs), sub-halo abundance matching (SHAM), and decorated halo occupation distribution models. Motivated by the new ultra-high-redshift (z ≳ 10) frontier enabled by JWST, we present a new suite of Gadget at Ultrahigh Redshift with Extra-Fine Timesteps (gureft) dark matter-only cosmological simulations that are carefully designed to capture halo merger histories and structural properties in the ultra-z universe. The simulation suite consists of four 10243-particle simulations with box sizes of 5, 15, 35, and 90 Mpc h−1, each with 170 snapshots stored between 40 ≥ z ≥ 6. With the unprecedented number of available snapshots and strategically chosen dynamic range covered by these boxes, gureft uncovers the emerging dark matter halo populations and their assembly histories in the earliest epochs of cosmic history. In this work, we present the halo mass functions (HMF) between z ∼ 20 and 6 down to log (Mvir/M⊙) ∼ 5, and show that at high redshift, these robust HMFs can differ substantially from commonly used analytic approximations or older fitting functions in the literature. We also present key physical properties of the ultra-high z halo population, such as concentration and spin, as well as their mass growth and merger rates, and again provide updated fitting functions.

Primordial Black Hole–Neutron Star Merger Rate in Modified Gravity

In this work, we investigate the merger rate of primordial black hole–neutron star (PBH-NS) binaries in two widely studied modified gravity (MG) models: Hu–Sawicki f(R) gravity and the normal branch of Dvali–Gabadadze–Porrati gravity. In our analysis, we take into account the effects of MG on the halo properties, including halo mass function, halo concentration parameter, halo density profile, and velocity dispersion of dark matter particles. We find that these MG models, due to their stronger gravitational field induced by an effective fifth force, predict enhanced merger rates compared to general relativity. This enhancement is found to be redshift-dependent and sensitive to model parameters and PBH mass and fraction. Assuming a PBH mass range of 5–50 M ⊙, we compare the predicted merger rate of PBH-NS binaries with those inferred from LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA observations of gravitational waves (GWs). We find that the merger rates obtained from MG models will be consistent with the GW observations if the abundance of PBHs is relatively large, with the exact amount depending on the MG model and its parameter values, as well as PBH mass. We also establish upper limits on the abundance of PBHs in these MG frameworks while comparing them with the existing non-GW constraints, which can potentially impose even more stringent constraints.

The steady state of intermediate-mass black holes near a supermassive black hole

Aims. Our aim is to investigate the properties of a cluster of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) surrounding a supermassive black hole (SMBH). Methods. We simulated clusters of equal-mass IMBHs (mIMBH = 103 M⊙) initialised in a shell between 0.15 ≤ r [pc] ≤ 0.25 centred about a SMBH. We explored the influence of the cluster population and SMBH on the merger rate, the ejection rate, and the escape velocity. For MSMBH = 4 × 106 M⊙, we used both a Newtonian and post-Newtonian formalism, going up to the 2.5th order and including cross terms. We ran 40 and 60 simulations per cluster population for either formalism, respectively. For the other two SMBH masses (MSMBH = 4 × 105 M⊙ and MSMBH = 4 × 107 M⊙), we modelled the system only taking into account relativistic effects. In the case of MSMBH = 4 × 105 M⊙, 30 simulations were run per population. For MSMBH = 4 × 107 M⊙ we ran ten simulations per population. The simulations ended once a black hole escaped the cluster, a merger occured, or the system evolved until 100 Myr. Results. The post-Newtonian formalism accelerates the loss rate of IMBHs compared to the Newtonian formalism. Ejections occur more often for lighter SMBHs while more massive ones increase the rate of mergers. Although relativistic effects allow for circularisation, all merging binaries have e ≳ 0.97 when measured 1 − 2 kyr before the merging event. The strongest gravitational wave signals are often sourced by IMBH-SMBH binaries that eventually merge. Strong signals were suppressed during our Newtonian calculations since, here, the IMBH typically stalls in the vicinity of the SMBH, before being generally ejected via the slingshot mechanism or experiencing a head-on collision. Weaker and more frequent signals are expected from gravitational wave radiation emitted in a flyby. In our post-Newtonian calculations, 30/406 (7.4%) of the gravitational wave events capable of being observed with LISA and μAres were detected as gravitational wave capture binaries with the remaining being in-cluster mergers. Throughout our investigation, no IMBH-IMBH binaries were detected.

The Redshift Evolution of the Binary Black Hole Mass Distribution from Dense Star Clusters

Gravitational-wave detectors are unveiling a population of binary black hole (BBH) mergers out to redshifts z ≈ 1, and are starting to constrain how the BBH population evolves with redshift. We present predictions for the redshift evolution of the BBH mass and spin distributions for systems originating from dense star clusters. Utilizing a grid of 144 state-of-the-art dynamical models for globular clusters, we demonstrate that BBH merger rates peak at higher redshifts for larger black hole primary masses M 1. Specifically, for M 1 ≳ 40 M ⊙, the BBH merger rate reaches its peak at redshift z ≈ 2.1, while for M 1 ≲ 20 M ⊙, the peak occurs at z ≈ 1.1, assuming that the cluster formation rate peaks at z = 2.2. The average BBH primary mass also increases from ∼10 M ⊙ at z = 0 to ∼30 M ⊙ at z = 10. We show that ∼20% BBHs contain massive remnants from next-generation mergers, with this fraction increasing (decreasing) for larger (smaller) primary masses. This difference is not large enough to significantly alter the effective spins of the BBH population originating from globular clusters, and we find that their effective spin distribution does not evolve across cosmic time. These findings can be used to distinguish BBHs from dense star clusters by future gravitational-wave observations.

Probing primordial black holes at high redshift with future gravitational wave detectors

ABSTRACT We analyse the detection prospects for potential Primordial Black Hole Binary (PBHB) populations buried in the Stellar-Origin Black Hole Binary (SOBHB) population inferred by the LVK collaboration. We consider different PBHB population scenarios and several future Gravitational Wave (GW) detectors. To separate the PBHB component from the SOBHB one, we exploit the prediction that the PBHB merger rate does not decline as fast as the SOBHB one at high redshift. However, only a tiny fraction of PBHB events may be resolved individually, and the sub-threshold events may yield an undetectable Stochastic GW Background (SGWB). For this reason, we determine the statistical significance of the PBHB contributions in the number of resolvable events seen in future Earth-based detectors and the SGWB measured at LISA. We quantify them in the limit that SOBHB population uncertainties are small, as one may optimistically expect at the time that future detectors will operate. In general, we find the synergy between these probes will consistently help assess whether or not a sizeable PBHB population is present.

Stellar populations and merger rates of brightest cluster galaxies a billion years ago: SDSS MaNGA IFU spectroscopy

ABSTRACT We investigate the spectroscopic properties of 85 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and their companions observed with the SDSS MaNGA integral field unit. Galaxy redshifts are between 0.08 < z < 0.15, allowing for a field-of-view up to 80 × 80 kpc. For the main galaxies: the average age of the BCG cores is 7.66$\, \pm \,$1.36 Gyr with no significant gradient out to $2\, R_ {e}$; the average metallicity of the BCG cores is $[Z/H]=0.23\, \pm \, 0.03$ with a negative gradient of Δ[Z/H]/Δ(R/Re) = –0.14$\, \pm \, 0.09$ which flattens beyond $1.2\, R_ {e}$. Velocity dispersion gradients are mostly flat, but a few positive slopes are seen in the most massive galaxies. Emission lines are present in 12 of the BCGs, most often confined to the central $\sim 2\,$ kpc with emission line ratios well-described by a LINER or AGN excitation source. There are 78 companion galaxies identified and 9 have nebular emission lines that indicate recent star formation. The companions with flux ratios of 4:1 and 20:1 within 30 kpc of their BCG’s core are studied. The companion galaxies have a median age of 7.65$\, \pm \,$1.55 Gyr and are high-metallicity systems, with a median [Z/H] = 0.17 ± 0.07. Close spectroscopic companions with higher merging probabilities have an average merging time of 0.5 ± 0.2 Gyr. The average merger rate is 0.08$\, \pm \, 0.12 \,$ Gyr−1 for 4:1 companions and 0.26$\, \pm \, 0.22 \,$ Gyr−1 for 20:1 companions, allowing for an increase in mass of 2.3$\, \pm \,$3.4 per cent Gyr−1 and 3.5$\, \pm \,$3.2 per cent Gyr−1, respectively.

Far-ultraviolet to Far-infrared Spectral Energy Distribution Modeling of the Star Formation History across M31

Our neighboring galaxy M31 has been recently surveyed at the far- and near-ultraviolet (FUV and NUV) with the UVIT telescope on AstroSat, which provides unprecedented sensitivity to young stellar populations. Here the UVIT data are supplemented with optical data, near-infrared (IR) data (Spitzer), and mid- and far-IR data (Herschel). The observations are processed to obtain the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for 73 regions covering M31. The SEDs are modeled using the Cigale SED fitting code with old and young stellar populations. The old stellar population has an age of 12 Gyr across M31 but has longer formation times at further distances from the center. Significant dependences on the position of dust extinction, dust emission, and young stellar population properties are found. Across M31, there are regions with a low-age (≲100 Myr) young population and regions with an intermediate-age (∼1 Gyr) young population. The mass in the young population has declined by a factor of ∼10 for ages 800–100 Myr ago but has increased again for ages ≲100 Myr. This indicates that cold gas available for star formation has been changing over the past Gyr, whether it is caused by a changing merger rate, changing gas infall, or changes in the gas reservoir in M31. We find that the dust luminosity, based on far-IR observations, is driven by the youngest stars, which are primarily measured in the FUV and NUV bands.

Parameter-Free Tour of the Binary Black Hole Population

The continued operation of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo gravitational-wave detectors is enabling the first detailed measurements of the mass, spin, and redshift distributions of the merging binary black hole population. Our present knowledge of these distributions, however, is based largely on strongly parametric models. Such models typically assume the distributions of binary parameters to be superpositions of “building block” features like power laws, peaks, dips, and breaks. Although this approach has yielded great progress in the initial characterization of the compact binary population, the strong assumptions entailed often leave it unclear which physical conclusions are driven by observation and which by the specific choice of model. In this paper, we instead model the merger rate of binary black holes as an unknown autoregressive process over the space of binary parameters, allowing us to measure the distributions of binary black hole masses, redshifts, component spins, and effective spins with near-complete agnosticism. We find the primary mass spectrum of binary black holes to be doubly peaked, with a fairly flat continuum that steepens at high masses. We identify signs of unexpected structure in the redshift distribution of binary black holes: a uniform-in-comoving volume merger rate at low redshift followed by an increase in the merger rate beyond redshift z≈0.5. Finally, we find that the distribution of black hole spin magnitudes is unimodal and concentrated at small but nonzero values, and that spin orientations span a wide range of spin-orbit misalignment angles but are also moderately unlikely to be truly isotropic. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Impact of Active Galactic Nuclei Feedback on the Dynamics of Gas: A Review across Diverse Environments

This review examines the relationship between black hole activity and kinematic gas–star misalignment in brightest group galaxies (BGGs) with different merger rates. The formation history of galaxy groups is assessed through “age-dating” as an indicator of distinct major mergers involving the BGGs. BGGs within groups characterized by a higher frequency of major mergers are more likely to host active SMBHs. A consistent correlation is identified between the level of black hole activity, as indicated by the 1.4 GHz and 325 MHz radio emissions, and the degree of kinematic misalignment between the gas and stellar components in BGGs. In dynamically fossil groups, where black hole accretion rate is relatively (∼1 dex) lower due to the lack of recent (≤1 Gyr) major mergers, there is reduced (∼30%) misalignment between the gas and stellar components of BGGs compared to non-fossil groups. Additionally, this study reveals that BGGs in non-fossil groups show higher levels of star formation rate and increased occurrence of mergers, contributing to observed color differences. Exploring the properties and dynamics of the gas disk influenced by mechanical AGN feedback through hydrodynamic simulations suggests that AGN wind-induced effects further lead to the persistent gas misalignment in the disk around the supermassive black hole.

Deep reinforcement learning algorithm based ramp merging decision model

On-ramp merge is a complex traffic scenario in autonomous driving. Because of the uncertainty of the driving environment, most rule-based models cannot solve such a problem. This paper designs a ramp merging decision model based on deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm (DDPG) to solve the vehicle merging problem. To address the problems of slow algorithm merging and poor robustness of previous deep reinforcement learning algorithms in the field of intelligent vehicle ramp merging leading to the low success rate of intelligent vehicle merging, first, we introduce a simple recurrent unit (SRU) for extracting intelligent vehicle states and environment features and use the DDPG algorithm for intelligent vehicle decision making. Second, the experience playback pool of DDPG algorithm is improved by using priority sampling instead of uniform sampling. Finally, a multi-objective reward function is set up during training, considering factors such as safety and efficiency. The simulation experiments show that the improved algorithm improves the merging speed of the model, reduces the collision rate, and enables the vehicle to make more reasonable decisions. In addition, the superiority of the method is demonstrated by comparing with the advanced method.

On the Formation of Double Neutron Stars in the Milky Way: Influence of Key Parameters

The detection of gravitational wave events has stimulated theoretical modeling of the formation and evolution of double compact objects (DCOs). However, even for the most studied isolated binary evolution channel, there exist large uncertainties in the input parameters and treatments of the binary evolution process. So far, double neutron stars (DNSs) are the only DCOs for which direct observations are available through traditional electromagnetic astronomy. In this work, we adopt a population synthesis method to investigate the formation and evolution of Galactic DNSs. We construct 324 models for the formation of Galactic DNSs, taking into account various possible combinations of critical input parameters and processes such as mass transfer efficiency, supernova type, common envelope efficiency, neutron star kick velocity, and pulsar selection effect. We employ Bayesian analysis to evaluate the adopted models by comparing with observations. We also compare the expected DNS merger rate in the galaxy with that inferred from the known Galactic population of pulsar-neutron star systems. Based on these analyses we derive the favorable range of the aforementioned key parameters.

Gravitational wave mergers of accreting binary black holes in AGN discs

ABSTRACT Binary black hole (BBH) evolution in the discs of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is a promising channel for gravitational wave (GW)-driven mergers. It is, however, unclear whether binaries interacting with the surrounding disc undergo orbital contraction or expansion. We develop a simple analytical model of accreting BBHs in AGN discs to follow the orbital evolution from the disc-dominated regime at large separations into the GW-driven regime at small separations (the coupled ‘disc + GW’-driven evolution). We obtain that accreting binaries expand in thick discs with aspect ratio greater than a critical value (>hcrit); whereas accreting binaries contract and eventually merge in thin discs (<hcrit). Interestingly, accreting BBHs can experience faster mergers compared to non-accreting counterparts, with a non-monotonic dependence on the disc aspect ratio. The orbital contraction is usually coupled with eccentricity growth in the disc-dominated regime, which lead to accelerated inspirals in the GW-driven regime. We quantify the resulting BBH merger time-scales in AGN discs (τmerger ∼ 105–107 yr) and estimate the associated GW merger rates ($\mathcal {R} \sim (0.2 {\small --} 5) \, \text{Gpc}^{-3} \text{yr}^{-1}$). Overall, accreting binaries may efficiently contract and merge in thin discs, hence this particular BBH-in-AGN channel may provide a non-negligible contribution to the observed GW merger event rate.

Soliton merger rates and enhanced axion dark matter decay

Soliton merger rates and enhanced axion dark matter decay

Contact tracing of binary stars: Pathways to stellar mergers

Stellar mergers are responsible for a wide variety of phenomena such as rejuvenated blue stragglers, highly magnetised stars, spectacular transients, iconic nebulae, and stars with peculiar surface chemical abundances and rotation rates. Before stars merge, they enter a contact phase. Here, we investigate which initial binary-star configurations lead to contact and classical common-envelope (CE) phases and assess the likelihood of a subsequent merger. To this end, we computed a grid of about 6000 detailed 1D binary evolution models with initial component masses of 0.5 − 20.0 M⊙ at solar metallicity. Both components were evolved, and rotation and tides were taken into account. We identified five mechanisms that lead to contact and mergers: runaway mass transfer, mass loss through the outer Lagrange point L2, expansion of the accretor, orbital decay because of tides, and non-conservative mass transfer. At least 40% of mass-transferring binaries with initial primary-star masses of 5 − 20 M⊙ evolve into a contact phase; > 12% and > 19% likely merge and evolve into a CE phase, respectively. Because of the non-conservative mass transfer in our models, classical CE evolution from late Case-B and Case-C binaries is only found for initial mass ratios qi < 0.15 − 0.35. For larger mass ratios, we find stable mass transfer. In early Case-B binaries, contact occurs for initial mass ratios qi < 0.15 − 0.35, while in Case-A mass transfer, this is the case for all qi in binaries with the initially closest orbits and qi < 0.35 for initially wider binaries. Our models predict that most Case-A binaries with mass ratios of q < 0.5 upon contact mainly get into contact because of runaway mass transfer and accretor expansion on a thermal timescale, with subsequent L2-overflow in more than half of the cases. Thus, these binaries likely merge quickly after establishing contact or remain in contact only for a thermal timescale. On the contrary, Case-A contact binaries with higher mass ratios form through accretor expansion on a nuclear timescale and can thus give rise to long-lived contact phases before a possible merger. Observationally, massive contact binaries are almost exclusively found with mass ratios q > 0.5, confirming our model expectations. Because of non-conservative mass transfer with mass transfer efficiencies of 15 − 65%, 5 − 25%, and 25 − 50% in Case-A, -B, and -C mass transfer, respectively (for primary-star masses above 3 M⊙), our contact, merger, and classical CE incidence rates are conservative lower limits. With more conservative mass transfer, these incidences would increase. Moreover, in most binaries, the non-accreted mass cannot be ejected, raising the question of the further evolution of such systems. The non-accreted mass may settle into circumstellar and circumbinary disks, but could also lead to further contact systems and mergers. Overall, contact binaries are a frequent and fascinating result of binary mass transfer of which the exact outcomes still remain to be understood and explored further.

Ensuring Consistency between Noise and Detection in Hierarchical Bayesian Inference

Hierarchical Bayesian inference can simultaneously account for both measurement uncertainty and selection effects within astronomical catalogs. In particular, the imposed hierarchy encodes beliefs about the interdependence of the physical processes that generate the observed data. We show that several proposed approximations within the literature actually correspond to inferences that are incompatible with any physical detection process. This generically leads to biases and is associated with the assumption that detectability is independent of the observed data given the true source parameters. We show several examples of how this error can affect astrophysical inferences based on catalogs of coalescing binaries observed through gravitational waves, including misestimating the redshift evolution of the merger rate as well as incorrectly inferring that general relativity is the correct theory of gravity when it is not. In general, one cannot directly fit for the “detected distribution” and “divide out” the selection effects in post-processing. Similarly, when comparing theoretical predictions to observations, it is better to simulate detected data (including both measurement noise and selection effects) rather than comparing estimates of the detected distributions of event parameters (which include only selection effects). While the biases introduced by model misspecification from incorrect assumptions may be smaller than statistical uncertainty for moderate catalog sizes (O(100) events), they will nevertheless pose a significant barrier to precision measurements of astrophysical populations.

A Physically Motivated Framework to Compare Pair Fractions of Isolated Low- and High-mass Galaxies across Cosmic Time

Low-mass galaxy pair fractions are understudied, and it is unclear whether low-mass pair fractions evolve in the same way as more massive systems over cosmic time. In the era of JWST, Roman, and Rubin, selecting galaxy pairs in a self-consistent way will be critical to connect observed pair fractions to cosmological merger rates across all mass scales and redshifts. Utilizing the Illustris TNG100 simulation, we create a sample of physically associated low-mass (108 < M * < 5 × 109 M ⊙) and high-mass (5 × 109 < M * < 1011 M ⊙) pairs between z = 0 and 4.2. The low-mass pair fraction increases from z = 0 to 2.5, while the high-mass pair fraction peaks at z = 0 and is constant or slightly decreasing at z > 1. At z = 0 the low-mass major (1:4 mass ratio) pair fraction is 4× lower than high-mass pairs, consistent with findings for cosmological merger rates. We show that separation limits that vary with the mass and redshift of the system, such as scaling by the virial radius of the host halo (r sep < 1R vir), are critical for recovering pair fraction differences between low-mass and high-mass systems. Alternatively, static physical separation limits applied equivalently to all galaxy pairs do not recover the differences between low- and high-mass pair fractions, even up to separations of 300 kpc. Finally, we place isolated mass analogs of Local Group galaxy pairs, i.e., Milky Way (MW)–M31, MW–LMC, LMC–SMC, in a cosmological context, showing that isolated analogs of LMC–SMC-mass pairs and low-separation (<50 kpc) MW–LMC-mass pairs are 2–3× more common at z ≳ 2–3.

Stellar/BH population in AGN discs: direct binary formation from capture objects in nuclei clusters

ABSTRACT The active galactic nucleus (AGN) disc has been proposed as a potential channel for the merger of binary black holes. The population of massive stars and black holes in AGN discs captured from the nuclei cluster plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency of binary formation and final merger rate within the AGN discs. In this paper, we investigate the capture process using analytical and numerical approaches. We discover a new constant integral of motion for one object’s capture process. Applying this result to the whole population of the nuclei cluster captured by the AGN disc, we find that the population of captured objects depends on the angular density and eccentricity distribution of the nuclei clusters and is effectively independent of the radial density profile of the nuclei cluster and disc models. An isotropic nuclei cluster with thermal eccentricity distribution predicts a captured profile dN/dr ∝ r−1/4. The captured objects are found to be dynamically crowded within the disc. Direct binary formation right after the capture would be promising, especially for stars. The conventional migration traps that help pile up single objects in AGN discs for black hole mergers might not be required.