Pulsar Timing and Galaxy Evolution Sarah Burke Swinburne University/ATNF ATNF GW Mtg December 12, 2008 Common Ground in the GWB Supervisors: Matthew Bailes, David Barnes, Simon Johnston, In collaboration with: Dick Manchester, Ron Ekers, Chris Phillips
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Pulsar Timing and Galaxy Evolution Sarah Burke Swinburne University/ATNF ATNF GW Mtg December 12, 2008 Sarah Burke Swinburne University/ATNF ATNF GW Mtg.
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Pulsar Timing and Galaxy EvolutionPulsar Timing and Galaxy Evolution
Sarah BurkeSwinburne University/ATNF
ATNF GW MtgDecember 12, 2008
Sarah BurkeSwinburne University/ATNF
ATNF GW MtgDecember 12, 2008
Common Ground in the GWBCommon Ground in the GWB
Supervisors:Matthew Bailes,David Barnes,Simon Johnston,Dick Manchester
In collaboration with:Dick Manchester,Ron Ekers,Chris Phillips
CLAIMCLAIMPulsar timing should detect GW emission
from binary supermassive black hole (SMBH) systems at sub-pc separations
Supermassive: mBH > ~106 MSun
GW detection from PTingGW detection from PTing
GWB A background of emission
from hard binaries Supermassive systems
with BH mass ratio >0.3 Porb = 106 - 108 s Contributing population
anywhere from z = 0 to high redshift (z > 6)
GWB A background of emission
from hard binaries Supermassive systems
with BH mass ratio >0.3 Porb = 106 - 108 s Contributing population
anywhere from z = 0 to high redshift (z > 6)
Single source Nearby (z<1) Porb = 106 - 109 s Very close orbital
separation; a < ~0.1 pc
Single source Nearby (z<1) Porb = 106 - 109 s Very close orbital
separation; a < ~0.1 pc
All binary black holes must have been formed via a galaxy merger and undergo subsequent inspiral processes before reaching the pulsar regime.
The modelling approachThe modelling approach
1. How many merged galaxies exist?- How many galaxies containing SMBHs are merging?- What is the BH mass function?- When/where in the universe did the merger happen?
2. What is the timescale for inspiral, coalescence of a resulting SMBH binary?
1. How many merged galaxies exist?- How many galaxies containing SMBHs are merging?- What is the BH mass function?- When/where in the universe did the merger happen?
2. What is the timescale for inspiral, coalescence of a resulting SMBH binary?
Stochastic GWB SourcesStochastic GWB Sources
Gravitational wave frequency
Cha
ract
eris
tic S
trai
n
A long way to go!A long way to go!
“Last parsec” problem is still unresolved!
Binary SMBH populations unknown Even at earlier stages of binary evolution
Hierarchical models vs. Monolithic
No local binary black holes to test GR theory and pulsar timing methods.
“Last parsec” problem is still unresolved!
Binary SMBH populations unknown Even at earlier stages of binary evolution
Hierarchical models vs. Monolithic
No local binary black holes to test GR theory and pulsar timing methods.
CLAIMCLAIMIdentification of SMBH binary systems in local galaxies will be beneficial to pulsar
timers and galaxy evolutionists
Thus far, all binary evidence has been tenuous and (nearly) all claims for binaries have been
indirect
Binary Detection MethodsBinary Detection Methods
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Etcetera
A robust, direct binary BH detection method
A robust, direct binary BH detection method
Exploitation: Unique spectral energy distribution of AGN Relation of AGN to BHs (Ron’s talk) Existence of double, compact flat/inverted
Blue: spectral index -0.5 Yellow: spectral index -0.3
Rajan Chettri,Ron Ekers
Sho
rt-l
ong
base
line
Vis
ibili
ty r
atio
Preliminary CountsPreliminary Counts
BH separation
N
0 1e-3 1e-2 0.1 1 10 100 1000 1e4 1e5
10
3
0
50
7
0
90
1
10
13
0
CLASS
0402+379 NGC6240
At the moment… a little bleak
Pulsar timing: Possible discovery of individual GW-emitting
sources Observationally constrained
parameters/scenarios in GWB models Stochastic GWB power spectrum based on
actual sources or predictions from counts With any detections, can put a lower limit on
the GWB for pulsar timing. Direct evidence for close binary black holes
and black hole coalescence
Pulsar timing: Possible discovery of individual GW-emitting
sources Observationally constrained
parameters/scenarios in GWB models Stochastic GWB power spectrum based on
actual sources or predictions from counts With any detections, can put a lower limit on
the GWB for pulsar timing. Direct evidence for close binary black holes
and black hole coalescence
Science aimsScience aims
Merger dynamics & MBH Evolution: Observational check of hierarchical galaxy
formation models Local binary population count Discovering new BH systems: ability to study
host galaxies and post-merger dynamics, timescales.
Merger dynamics & MBH Evolution: Observational check of hierarchical galaxy
formation models Local binary population count Discovering new BH systems: ability to study
host galaxies and post-merger dynamics, timescales.
Science aimsScience aims
(END)(END)
Outline of talkOutline of talk 1. The problem & background
Pulsars detect binaries in a unique frequency range Binary populations unknown GWB models are very unconstrained Galaxy evolution models are very unconstrained
2. How we’re approaching CUT TO THE CHASE: Direct observations of BHs are possible! And will give science. Show N vs a plots, or some a/adot vs
a plots. 3. What will result
No detections: various interpretations; BHBs do not exist, or only exist only for very short periods of time.
An OBSERVED lower limit for a GWB (statistical or actual)
1. The problem & background Pulsars detect binaries in a unique frequency range Binary populations unknown GWB models are very unconstrained Galaxy evolution models are very unconstrained
2. How we’re approaching CUT TO THE CHASE: Direct observations of BHs are possible! And will give science. Show N vs a plots, or some a/adot vs
a plots. 3. What will result
No detections: various interpretations; BHBs do not exist, or only exist only for very short periods of time.
An OBSERVED lower limit for a GWB (statistical or actual)