Multi-Messenger Search for Neutrino and Gravitational-Wave Emissions from Binary Black Holes Near Active Galactic Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel multi-messenger search combining gravitational-wave, neutrino, and optical data to identify binary black hole mergers near active galactic nuclei, aiming to enhance detection prospects and understand their astrophysical environment.

Contribution

It introduces an innovative method integrating GW, neutrino, and AGN data for multi-messenger searches, expanding the scope of detecting BBH mergers in AGN environments.

Findings

Assessment of search sensitivity using LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data

Analysis of neutrino candidates from IceCube data

Evaluation of AGN candidates from the Quaia catalog

Abstract

Binary black holes (BBHs) in the vicinity of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are particularly interesting systems from both a cosmological and astrophysical point of view. Matter and radiation fields within the dense AGN environment could produce electromagnetic and neutrino emission in addition to gravitational waves (GWs). Moreover, interactions between BBHs and AGN accretion disks are expected to influence BBH formation channels and merger rates. Understanding these sources could help explain the unexpectedly high BBH masses observed through GWs by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaborations. We present a search for coincident gravitational-wave and neutrino emission from AGNs. Our innovative approach combines information from gravitational-wave data, neutrino observations, and AGN optical catalogs to increase the chances of identifying potential sources and studying their properties. We assess the sensitivity of the search using subthreshold gravitational-wave candidates from LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data, neutrino event candidates from public IceCube Neutrino Observatory data and AGN candidates from the Quaia catalog. A confident detection of such an event would mark a breakthrough in multi-messenger astronomy.