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 | Dimensione | Formato | |
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