What is the final state of a black hole merger?

TL;DR

This paper explores how black hole mergers can be used to test the nature of black holes, investigate secondary black hole formation, and consider the creation of quantum black holes near the Planck mass.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that black hole mergers could produce quantum black holes and discusses potential observational signatures for testing black hole physics.

Findings

Black hole mergers may create secondary black holes.

Potential signatures could help distinguish black hole types.

Mergers might produce quantum black holes near the Planck mass.

Abstract

In this short paper we discuss the possibility of testing the nature of astrophysical black holes using the recently observed black hole mergers. We investigate the possibility that a secondary black hole is created in the merger of two astrophysical black holes and discuss potential astrophysical signatures. We point out that black hole mergers are a possible astrophysical mechanism for the creation of quantum black holes with masses close to the Planck mass.