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Binary black hole population properties inferred from the first and second observing runs of advanced LIGO and advanced Virgo
We present results on the mass, spin, and redshift distributions with phenomenological population models using the 10 binary black hole (BBH) mergers detected in the first and second observing runs completed by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. We constrain properties of the BBH mass spectrum using models with a range of parameterizations of the BBH mass and spin distributions. We find that the mass distribution of the more massive BH in such binaries is well approximated by models with no more than 1% of BHs more massive than 45 and a power-law index of α = (90% credibility). We also show that BBHs are unlikely to be composed of BHs with large spins aligned to the orbital angular momentum. Modeling the evolution of the BBH merger rate with redshift, we show that it is flat or increasing with redshift with 93% probability. Marginalizing over uncertainties in the BBH population, we find robust estimates of the BBH merger rate density of R = Gpc−3 yr−1 (90% credibility). As the BBH catalog grows in future observing runs, we expect that uncertainties in the population model parameters will shrink, potentially providing insights into the formation of BHs via supernovae, binary interactions of massive stars, stellar cluster dynamics, and the formation history of BHs across cosmic time.
History
Publication title
The Astrophysical Journal LettersVolume
882Article number
L24Number
L24Pagination
1-30ISSN
2041-8205Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.Place of publication
United KingdomRights statement
Copyright (2019) The American Astronomical Society.Repository Status
- Restricted