Spatial Correlation of Massive Black Hole Mergers: Probing the Formation Mechanism and Reionization

2005/02/28 by Kunihito Ioka, P. Mészáros, Peter Meszaros
Physics and Astronomy · #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology #astro-ph #gr-qc

paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/497289

published as Astrophys.J. 635 (2005) 143-148 · 14 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

arxiv created 2005/10/26 · openalex publication_date 2005/12/06 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

We consider the spatial clustering of massive black hole (MBH) mergers and discuss possible ways to use gravitational wave (GW) observations in the LISA and DECIGO/BBO range for obtaining cosmological and cosmogonical information. Constraints on large-scale structure (LSS) and merger histories may be possible through the detection of an alignment of the GW polarization direction with principal axes of the LSS. Constraints on the merger physics and the reionization epoch may be obtained by GW measurements of MBH correlation lengths, in the case where the MBH angular momentum loss occurs through gas drag. Such measurements would provide information about the LSS and the reionization epoch, as well as about the astrophysics of MBH mergers, in addition to and independent of that obtained from electromagnetic signals.

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