Resolving supermassive black hole binary evolution in galaxy formation simulations
Info:
| Author | Shi-Hong Liao |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Time | 2024-05-14 14:00 |
| Location | Purple Mountain Observatory 3-402 Meeting Room |
| Presentation materials | Resolving_supermassive_black_hole_binary_evolution_in_galaxy_formation_simulations.pdf |
Abstract:
Supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries within galaxy mergers are the primary target for low-frequency gravitational wave (GW) observatories. Understanding the coalescence process of SMBH binaries in a cosmological framework is pivotal for accurate GW predictions. However,traditional galaxy formation simulations often merge SMBHs instantaneously at kpc or sub-kpc separation scales due to resolution limitations,leading to significant uncertainty in estimating SMBH coalescence time-scales. In this talk,I will introduce the KETJU code,a newly developed numerical tool capable of simultaneously following galaxy (hydro-)dynamics and resolving SMBH dynamics with post-Newtonian corrections down to a few tens of Schwarzschild radii. Based on this novel numerical tool,our on-goingRABBITSseries simulations will improve the estimation of the SMBH merger time-scales and ultimately enhance our predictions of GW event rates and the stochastic background.