Transient QPOs of Fermi-LAT blazars with Linearly Multiplicative Oscillations

TL;DR

This study detects and analyzes transient quasi-periodic oscillations in gamma-ray blazar emissions, exploring their potential origins and physical mechanisms, with some variability patterns suggesting stochastic processes and others indicating binary black hole dynamics.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel method for analyzing linearly multiplicative oscillations in blazar gamma-ray light curves, providing insights into their possible physical origins.

Findings

Variability in 4C+31.03 suggests a stochastic process.

Periods in MG1 J123931+0443 and PKS 1622-253 are consistent with binary black hole precession.

Results are tentative and do not definitively identify QPO origins.

Abstract

We present a study on the detection and characterization of transient quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in the $\gamma$-ray emission of blazars 4C +31.03, MG1 J123931+0443, and PKS 1622$-$253. Using light curves derived from \textit{Fermi} Large Area Telescope data, we investigate oscillatory patterns characterized by periodic multiplicative amplitudes that vary linearly over time. By segmenting the light curves into increasing and decreasing trends, we analyze each segment independently, allowing for precise measurements of both the periodicity and long-term variations. To interpret these QPOs, we explore various theoretical scenarios that could explain their origin and underlying physical mechanisms. The variability observed in 4C~+31.03 is more consistent with a stochastic process, whereas the periods estimated for MG1~J123931+0443 and PKS~1622$-$253 align with the precessional dynamics expected from binary supermassive black hole systems. However, the current results remain tentative and do not allow for a definitive conclusion.