The Universal Eccentricity Distribution for Dynamical Gravitational-Wave Merger Channels

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that diverse dynamical black hole merger channels produce a universal eccentricity distribution at LVK frequencies, simplifying the identification and analysis of eccentric gravitational wave sources.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical model predicting a universal eccentricity distribution across all dynamical black hole merger channels, validated by numerical simulations.

Findings

Analytical solution matches numerical results.

Universal eccentricity distribution at LVK frequencies.

Implications for gravitational wave source searches.

Abstract

We argue that all dynamical astrophysical black hole merger channels are expected to result in a common eccentricity distribution at gravitational wave (GW) frequencies relevant for LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA (LVK) in the high eccentricity limit. This follows from the large separation of scales between the GW regime required for creating eccentric mergers in LVK, and the underlying astrophysical formation environment. Our analytical solution shows exceptional agreement with numerical studies. This finding has important implications for both theoretical studies and ongoing searches for eccentric GW sources.