GW200105 and GW200115 are compatible with a scenario of primordial black hole binary coalescences

TL;DR

This paper proposes that the gravitational wave events GW200105 and GW200115 can be explained by primordial black hole binaries formed in the early Universe, with merger rates consistent with observations and existing constraints.

Contribution

It demonstrates that primordial black hole binaries can account for observed gravitational wave events without conflicting with current astrophysical limits.

Findings

Merger rates align with LIGO/Virgo estimates.

Primordial black holes can be a fraction of dark matter.

Existing observational constraints are compatible with the scenario.

Abstract

Two gravitational wave events, i.e. GW200105 and GW200115, were observed by the Advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors recently. In this work, we show that they can be explained by a scenario of primordial black hole binaries that are formed in the early Universe. The merger rate predicted by such a scenario could be consistent with the one estimated from LIGO and Virgo, even if primordial black holes constitute a fraction of cold dark matter. The required abundance of primordial black holes is compatible with the existing upper limits from microlensing, caustic crossing and cosmic microwave background observations.