Electromagnetic Signatures of Supermassive Binary Black Holes. I. Thermal Synchrotron, Self-Lensing Flares, and Jet Precession

TL;DR

This study uses advanced simulations to explore electromagnetic signals from supermassive binary black holes, revealing complex variability patterns, self-lensing flares, and jet precession, which are crucial for identifying these systems in observations.

Contribution

The paper introduces comprehensive 3D GRMHD simulations of binary black hole interactions with detailed radiation transfer, highlighting new electromagnetic signatures and the importance of multi-wavelength monitoring.

Findings

Self-lensing produces rapid, distinctive flares in coplanar orbits.

Shock-induced flares are often masked by turbulence at radio frequencies.

Jet precession due to spin-orbit coupling causes observable wobbling phenomena.

Abstract

The recent evidence for a nanohertz gravitational wave background from Pulsar Timing Arrays highlights the urgent need to identify electromagnetic counterparts to supermassive binary black holes. Here, we perform global 3D general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of a secondary black hole (mass ratio $q=0.1$) interacting with a Magnetically Arrested Disk around a primary black hole using a time-dependent superposed Kerr-Schild metric and post-processed general relativistic radiation transfer calculations based on thermal electron distribution function (eDF). We explore three orbital configurations: a vertical impact orbit, a coplanar embedded orbit, and a high-spin, eccentric, inclined scenario. Despite clear orbital periodicity and recurrent shock formation, the thermal synchrotron light curves frequently lack expected shock-induced flares. In vertical impacts, shock brightenings are typically sub-dominant to the stochastic MAD variability of the primary black hole, unless viewed at specific alignment phases. Conversely, coplanar orbits produce distinctive, rapid flares driven by gravitational self-lensing. We identify a frequency-dependent emission hierarchy: the primary black hole dominates sub-millimeter flux, while the secondary dominates near-infrared emission due to higher electron temperatures in thermal eDF. Finally, spin-orbit coupling drives Lense-Thirring precession, yielding twisted, wobbling jets reminiscent of OJ~287. Crucially, we demonstrate that intrinsic MAD turbulence may easily mask shock-induced flares at radio frequencies. We strongly advocate coordinated sub-millimeter and near-infrared monitoring to robustly isolate supermassive binary black hole self-lensing signatures.