Explaining LIGO’s observations via isolated binary evolution with natal kicks

ORAL

Abstract

We compare binary evolution models with different assumptions about black-hole natal kicks to the first gravitational-wave observations performed by the LIGO detectors. Our comparisons attempt to reconcile merger rate, masses, spins, and spin-orbit misalignments of all of current observations with state-of-the-art formation scenarios of binary black holes formed in isolation. We estimate that black holes should receive natal kicks at birth of the order of $\sigma \simeq 200 (50)$ km/s if tidal processes do (not) realign stellar spins. Our estimate is driven by two simple factors. The natal kick dispersion $\sigma$ is bounded from above because large kicks disrupt too many binaries (reducing the merger rate below the observed value). Conversely, the natal kick distribution is bounded from below because modest kicks are needed to produce a range of spin-orbit misalignments. A distribution of misalignments increases our models’ compatibility with LIGO’s observations, if all BHs are likely to have natal spins.

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Authors

  • Michael Kesden

    University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, Univ of Texas, Dallas

  • Daniel Wysocki

    Rochester Institute of Technology

  • Qiye Zheng

    Santa Fe Institute, Baylor University, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Jozef Stefan Institute, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 75429, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, Department of Physics, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Univ of Texas, El Paso, University of Science and Technology of China, The University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, None, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, UT Southwestern Medical Center, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Univ of Texas, Dallas, N.Chiao Tung U., UT Dallas, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Utrecht University, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Chicago, The University of Mississippi, Astronomical Observatory, Warsaw University, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Houston, NASA-GSFC and UMBC, MD, Virginia Tech, VA, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics, Teivecca Nazarene University, Weatherford College, Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH, USA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, KAFB, NM, US, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio TX, USA, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Texas A\&M University, UTSW, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375

  • Qiye Zheng

    Santa Fe Institute, Baylor University, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Jozef Stefan Institute, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 75429, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, Department of Physics, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Univ of Texas, El Paso, University of Science and Technology of China, The University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, None, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, UT Southwestern Medical Center, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Univ of Texas, Dallas, N.Chiao Tung U., UT Dallas, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Utrecht University, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Chicago, The University of Mississippi, Astronomical Observatory, Warsaw University, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Houston, NASA-GSFC and UMBC, MD, Virginia Tech, VA, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics, Teivecca Nazarene University, Weatherford College, Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH, USA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, KAFB, NM, US, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio TX, USA, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Texas A\&M University, UTSW, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375

  • Qiye Zheng

    Santa Fe Institute, Baylor University, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Jozef Stefan Institute, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 75429, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, Department of Physics, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Univ of Texas, El Paso, University of Science and Technology of China, The University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, None, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, UT Southwestern Medical Center, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Univ of Texas, Dallas, N.Chiao Tung U., UT Dallas, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Utrecht University, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Chicago, The University of Mississippi, Astronomical Observatory, Warsaw University, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Houston, NASA-GSFC and UMBC, MD, Virginia Tech, VA, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics, Teivecca Nazarene University, Weatherford College, Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH, USA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, KAFB, NM, US, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio TX, USA, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Texas A\&M University, UTSW, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375

  • Qiye Zheng

    Santa Fe Institute, Baylor University, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Jozef Stefan Institute, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 75429, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, Department of Physics, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Univ of Texas, El Paso, University of Science and Technology of China, The University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, None, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, UT Southwestern Medical Center, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Univ of Texas, Dallas, N.Chiao Tung U., UT Dallas, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Utrecht University, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Chicago, The University of Mississippi, Astronomical Observatory, Warsaw University, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Houston, NASA-GSFC and UMBC, MD, Virginia Tech, VA, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics, Teivecca Nazarene University, Weatherford College, Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH, USA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, KAFB, NM, US, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio TX, USA, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Texas A\&M University, UTSW, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375

  • Qiye Zheng

    Santa Fe Institute, Baylor University, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Jozef Stefan Institute, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 75429, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, Department of Physics, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Univ of Texas, El Paso, University of Science and Technology of China, The University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, None, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, UT Southwestern Medical Center, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Univ of Texas, Dallas, N.Chiao Tung U., UT Dallas, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Utrecht University, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Chicago, The University of Mississippi, Astronomical Observatory, Warsaw University, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Houston, NASA-GSFC and UMBC, MD, Virginia Tech, VA, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics, Teivecca Nazarene University, Weatherford College, Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH, USA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, KAFB, NM, US, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio TX, USA, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Texas A\&M University, UTSW, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375

  • Qiye Zheng

    Santa Fe Institute, Baylor University, University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Jozef Stefan Institute, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Commerce, Texas 75429, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, Texas A&M University, Department of Physics, Texas State University, Department of Physics, Baylor University, University of Texas at El Paso, Univ of Texas, El Paso, University of Science and Technology of China, The University of Texas at Dallas, Faculty, None, Southwestern University, Texas State University, Texas A&M University - Commerce, UT Southwestern Medical Center, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, The Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University, Department of Biological Sciences, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75080, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Univ of Texas, Dallas, N.Chiao Tung U., UT Dallas, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Group, Utrecht University, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Baylor University, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Chicago, The University of Mississippi, Astronomical Observatory, Warsaw University, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of Houston, NASA-GSFC and UMBC, MD, Virginia Tech, VA, Texas Christian University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Physics, Teivecca Nazarene University, Weatherford College, Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, WPAFB, OH, USA, Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate, KAFB, NM, US, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio TX, USA, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stanford University, Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Texas A\&M University, UTSW, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375