Aims. We investigate the observed distribution of the joint primary mass, mass ratio, and redshift of astrophysical black holes using the gravitational wave events detected by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration and included in the third gravitational wave transient catalogue. Methods. We reconstructed this distribution using Bayesian non-parametric methods, which are data-driven models able to infer arbitrary probability densities under minimal mathematical assumptions. Results. We find evidence that both the primary mass and mass-ratio distribution evolve with redshift: our analysis shows the presence of two distinct subpopulations in the primary massa redshift plane, with the lighter population, 20 M-, disappearing at higher redshifts, za >a 0.4. The mass-ratio distribution shows no support for symmetric binaries. Conclusions. The observed population of coalescing binary black holes evolves with look-back time, suggesting a trend in metallicity with redshift and/or the presence of multiple redshift-dependent formation channels.

Evidence of evolution of the black hole mass function with redshift

Rinaldi S.;Mapelli M.;
2024

Abstract

Aims. We investigate the observed distribution of the joint primary mass, mass ratio, and redshift of astrophysical black holes using the gravitational wave events detected by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration and included in the third gravitational wave transient catalogue. Methods. We reconstructed this distribution using Bayesian non-parametric methods, which are data-driven models able to infer arbitrary probability densities under minimal mathematical assumptions. Results. We find evidence that both the primary mass and mass-ratio distribution evolve with redshift: our analysis shows the presence of two distinct subpopulations in the primary massa redshift plane, with the lighter population, 20 M-, disappearing at higher redshifts, za >a 0.4. The mass-ratio distribution shows no support for symmetric binaries. Conclusions. The observed population of coalescing binary black holes evolves with look-back time, suggesting a trend in metallicity with redshift and/or the presence of multiple redshift-dependent formation channels.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
unpaywall-bitstream--1712520514.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Published (Publisher's Version of Record)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 5.02 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
5.02 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3542747
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 10
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 10
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact