GW$\times$LSS: Chasing the Progenitors of Merging Binary Black Holes

TL;DR

This paper explores how the clustering of merging binary black holes with galaxy surveys can reveal whether their origins are stellar or primordial, using forecasts for future gravitational wave and galaxy observations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to distinguish black hole origins by analyzing their clustering properties and cross-correlations with galaxy catalogs, including detailed modeling of relativistic effects.

Findings

Future experiments can test most models of black hole origin.

Clustering signals can differentiate between stellar and primordial black hole populations.

Accurate modeling enhances the potential to identify black hole progenitors.

Abstract

Are the stellar-mass merging binary black holes, recently detected by their gravitational wave signal, of stellar or primordial origin? Answering this question will have profound implications for our understanding of the Universe, including the nature of dark matter, the early Universe and stellar evolution. We build on the idea that the clustering properties of merging binary black holes can provide information about binary formation mechanisms and origin. The cross-correlation of galaxy with gravitational wave catalogues carries information about whether black hole mergers trace more closely the distribution of dark matter -- indicative of primordial origin -- or that of stars harboured in luminous and massive galaxies -- indicative of a stellar origin. We forecast the detectability of such signal for several forthcoming and future gravitational wave interferometers and galaxy surveys, including, for the first time in such analyses, an accurate modelling for the different merger rates, lensing magnification and other general relativistic effects. Our results show that forthcoming experiments could allow us to test most of the parameter space of the still viable models investigated, and shed more light on the issue of binary black hole origin and evolution.