Gravitational wave emission from binary supermassive black holes

2013/07/15 by Alberto Sesana, A. Sesana · 56 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics #Binary black hole #Binary number #Binary pulsar #Black hole (networking) #COSMIC cancer database #Context (archaeology) #Galaxy #General relativity #Gravitation #Gravitational wave #Millisecond pulsar #Physics #Pulsar #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology #Supermassive black hole #Theoretical physics #astro-ph.CO

paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/0264-9381/30/24/244009

published in Classical and Quantum Gravity 30(24), 244009 (IOP Publishing) · 26 pages, 9 figures, invited article for the focus issue on astrophysical black holes in Classical and Quantum Gravity, guest editors: D. Merritt and L. Rezzolla. Submitted

arxiv created 2013/07/15 · openalex publication_date 2013/11/29 · arxiv updated 2015/06/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

Massive black hole binaries (MBHBs) are unavoidable outcomes of the hierarchical structure formation process, and, according to the theory of general relativity, are expected to be the loudest gravitational wave (GW) sources in the Universe. In this paper I provide a broad overview of MBHBs as GW sources. After reviewing the basics of GW emission from binary systems and of MBHB formation, evolution and dynamics, I describe in some details the connection between binary properties and the emitted gravitational waveform. Direct GW observations will provide an unprecedented wealth of information about the physical nature and the astrophysical properties of these extreme objects, allowing to reconstruct their cosmic history, dynamics and coupling with their dense stellar and gaseous environment. In this context I describe ongoing and future efforts to make a direct detection with space based interferometry and pulsar timing arrays, highlighting the invaluable scientific payouts of such enterprises.

Citations

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Cited by

• The Environmental Effects on Inspiraling Binary Black Hole Systems in the Centers of the LMC and M31
• Radio crickets: chirping jets from black hole binaries entering their gravitational wave inspiral
• Kinematic Signatures of Reverberation Mapping of Close Binaries of Supermassive Black Holes in Active Galactic Nuclei