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arxiv 2108.11671 v2 pith:67XY2R3J submitted 2021-08-26 astro-ph.GA

Massive black hole evolution models confronting the n-Hz amplitude of the stochastic gravitational wave background

classification astro-ph.GA
keywords blackholeamplitudebackgroundgravitationalwaveevolutionmassive
verification ladder T0 review T1 audit T2 compute T3 formal T4 reserved
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We estimate the amplitude of the nano-Hz stochastic gravitational wave background (GWB) resulting from an unresolved population of inspiralling massive black hole binaries (MBHBs). To this aim, we use the L-Galaxies semi-analytical model applied on top of the Millennium merger trees. The dynamical evolution of MBHBs includes dynamical friction, stellar and gas binary hardening, and gravitational wave feedback. At the frequencies proved by the \textit{Pulsar Timing Array} experiments, our model predicts an amplitude of ${\sim}1.2\,{\times}\,10^{-15}$ at ${\sim}\,3\,{\times}\,10^{-8}\, \rm Hz$ in agreement with current estimations. The contribution to the background comes primarily from equal mass binaries with chirp masses above $\rm 10^{8}\, M_{\odot}$. We then consider the recently detected common red noise in NANOGrav, PPTA, and EPTA data, working under the hypothesis that it is indeed a stochastic GWB coming from MBHBs. By boosting the massive black hole growth via gas accretion, we show that our model can produce a signal with an amplitude $A\approx 2-3 {\times}\,10^{-15}$. There are, however, difficulties in predicting this background level without mismatching key observational constraints such as the quasar bolometric luminosity functions or the local black hole mass function. This highlights how current and forthcoming gravitational wave observations can, for the first time, confront galaxy and black hole evolution models.

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Cited by 2 Pith papers

Reviewed papers in the Pith corpus that reference this work. Sorted by Pith novelty score.

  1. Comparing gravitational wave background predictions from cosmological simulations to pulsar timing observations

    astro-ph.GA 2026-07 conditional novelty 6.0

    FABLE simulation predictions for the nanohertz gravitational wave background are statistically consistent with NANOGrav 15-year data at 1–2.5σ tension, with physically motivated population modifications further improv...

  2. A critical look at low-scale cosmological phase transitions in the PTA era

    hep-ph 2026-07 unverdicted novelty 5.0

    Precision study of dark sector phase transitions finds PTA-favored parameters near EFT breakdown with disfavored GW signals after higher-order corrections.