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Observing the Dynamics of Supermassive Black Hole Binaries with Pulsar Timing Arrays

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Gravitational Wave Astrophysics with Pulsar Timing Arrays

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Abstract

This chapter is based on C.M.F. Mingarelli, K. Grover, R.J.E. Smith, T. Sidery, A. Vecchio, “Observing the dynamical evolution of a super massive black hole binary using Pulsar Timing Arrays”, Physical Review Letters, Volume 109, Issue 8 (2012), cited as Mingarelli et al. (2012). Minor modifications here have been made to the paper: Figs. 4.1 and 4.2 have been added to clarify the geometry and the importance of the precession effects respectively, and equations which were previously inline are now in standard form. These changes are meant to improve the readability of the text, and were not possible in the published version due to word restrictions form the Journal. Equations which were derived in the introduction are referenced and not repeated. I calculated the precession rate of the orbital angular momentum, the orbital evolution timescale and velocity of the binaries and wrote the draft of the paper.

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  1. Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy (TAPIR Group), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA

    Chiara M. F. Mingarelli PhD

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Mingarelli, C.M.F. (2016). Observing the Dynamics of Supermassive Black Hole Binaries with Pulsar Timing Arrays. In: Gravitational Wave Astrophysics with Pulsar Timing Arrays. Springer Theses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18401-2_4

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