Evidence for Magneto-gravitational Processes in Supermassive Black Hole Binary PG 1553+113

TL;DR

This study analyzes gamma-ray variability in PG 1553+113, proposing a supermassive black hole binary model supported by Gaussian process analysis, revealing a 2.1-year QPO and a new variability component linked to magnetic reconnection events.

Contribution

It introduces a novel interpretation of AGN variability components within a SMBHB framework, supported by detailed light curve analysis and kernel modeling.

Findings

Detection of a 2.1-year quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO).

Identification of a new variability component associated with magnetic reconnection.

Support for SMBHB-induced gamma-ray variability mechanisms.

Abstract

PG1553+113 has drawn significant attention for its quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in gamma-ray variability, though the origin of its variability remains uncertain. In this study, we propose a physical mechanism to explain the observed gamma-ray variability within the framework of a supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) system, supported by a newly identified component hidden in the light curve. A detailed analysis for its about 16-year light curve obtained from Fermi-LAT observations is performed by Gaussian process (GP). As anticipated, the QPO of 2.1 years is effectively captured by the stochastically-driven damped simple harmonic oscillator (SHO) kernel within the under-damped regime, and the overall stochastic nature of the variability is described by the damped random walk (DRW) kernel albeit with an unconstrained damping timescale. Additionally, our results reveal a previously unrecognized component in active galactic nuclei variability, characterized by the Mat\'ern-3/2 kernel, which is typically associated with systems undergoing abrupt energy release. These findings can be consistently interpreted within the SMBHB framework. The QPO of about 2.1 years is likely attributed to the orbital motion in a SMBHB system. The Mat\'ern-3/2 component is interpreted as resulting from magnetic reconnection events triggered by gravitational perturbations of the magnetic field within the jet, occurring as one black hole approaches the other. Meanwhile, in this case, the damping timescale of the common DRW kernel remains unconstrained due to the influence of new perturbations within the system.