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Observing the Dynamics of Supermassive Black Hole Binaries with Pulsar Timing Arrays

C. M. F. Mingarelli, K. Grover, T. Sidery, R. J. E. Smith, and A. Vecchio
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 081104 – Published 23 August 2012
Physics logo See Synopsis: Sailing Choppy Gravitational Seas

Abstract

Pulsar timing arrays are a prime tool to study unexplored astrophysical regimes with gravitational waves. Here, we show that the detection of gravitational radiation from individually resolvable supermassive black hole binary systems can yield direct information about the masses and spins of the black holes, provided that the gravitational-wave-induced timing fluctuations both at the pulsar and at Earth are detected. This in turn provides a map of the nonlinear dynamics of the gravitational field and a new avenue to tackle open problems in astrophysics connected to the formation and evolution of supermassive black holes. We discuss the potential, the challenges, and the limitations of these observations.

  • Figure
  • Received 10 May 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.081104

© 2012 American Physical Society

Synopsis

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Sailing Choppy Gravitational Seas

Published 23 August 2012

Proposed measurements of arrays of pulsars could reveal the secrets of how supermassive black holes form, behave, and evolve.

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Authors & Affiliations

C. M. F. Mingarelli1, K. Grover1, T. Sidery1, R. J. E. Smith1,2, and A. Vecchio1

  • 1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
  • 2Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 2Y5, Canada

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Issue

Vol. 109, Iss. 8 — 24 August 2012

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