Exploring stellar evolution with gravitational-wave observations

TL;DR

This paper presents a framework combining galaxy and stellar evolution models to predict gravitational-wave detection rates of binary black holes, aiming to constrain stellar evolution and black hole formation theories.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integrated framework for predicting black hole merger rates and explores methods to distinguish black hole origins using gravitational-wave data.

Findings

Predicted detection rates vary with different stellar evolution models.

Potential to constrain the delay time distribution from observed chirp mass data.

Discussed distinguishing primordial black holes from stellar-origin black holes.

Abstract

Recent detections of gravitational waves from merging binary black holes opened new possibilities to study the evolution of massive stars and black hole formation. In particular, stellar evolution models may be constrained on the basis of the differences in the predicted distribution of black hole masses and redshifts. In this work we propose a framework that combines galaxy and stellar evolution models and use it to predict the detection rates of merging binary black holes for various stellar evolution models. We discuss the prospects of constraining the shape of the time delay distribution of merging binaries using just the observed distribution of chirp masses. Finally, we consider a generic model of primordial black hole formation and discuss the possibility of distinguishing it from stellar-origin black holes.