Spectroscopy for asymmetric binary black hole mergers

TL;DR

This paper investigates the ability to identify black hole ringdown modes in simulated signals inspired by GW190521, revealing correlations between mass ratio and mode detectability, with implications for black hole spectroscopy.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential to distinguish fundamental ringdown modes in simulated signals, highlighting the influence of mass ratio on mode identification in black hole spectroscopy.

Findings

Strong correlation between mass ratio and Bayes factors for subdominant modes

Bayes factor values and peak times align with GW190521 analysis

High-mass ratio systems show clearer mode detection signals

Abstract

We study Bayesian inference of black hole ringdown modes for simulated binary black hole signals. We consider to what extent different fundamental ringdown modes can be identified in the context of black hole spectroscopy. Our simulated signals are inspired by the high mass event GW190521. We find strong correlation between mass ratio and Bayes factors of the subdominant ringdown modes. The Bayes factor values and time dependency, and the peak time of the (3,3,0) mode align with those found analyzing the real event GW190521, particularly for high-mass ratio systems.