Computing the abundance of primordial black holes

TL;DR

This paper reviews methods for accurately calculating the abundance of primordial black holes, which is essential for cosmological constraints, mass function predictions, and gravitational wave event rates.

Contribution

It compares different methodologies and parameters for calculating PBH abundance, emphasizing the use of compaction and various theoretical approaches.

Findings

Press-Schechter and peaks theory methods explained

Compaction identified as a key parameter

Guidance on choosing parameters for cosmological models

Abstract

An accurate calculation of their abundance is crucial for numerous aspects of cosmology related to primordial black holes (PBHs). For example, placing constraints on the primordial power spectrum from constraints on the abundance of PBHs (or vice-versa), calculating the mass function observable today, or predicting the merger rate of (primordial) black holes observable by gravitational wave observatories such as LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA. In this chapter, we will discuss the different methods used for the calculation of the abundance of PBHs forming from large-amplitude cosmological perturbations, assuming only a minimal understanding of modern cosmology. Different parameters to describe cosmological perturbations will be considered (including different choices for the window function), and it will be argued that the compaction is typically the most appropriate choice. Different methodologies for calculating the abundance and mass function are explained, including \emph{Press-Schechter}-type and peaks theory approaches.