Work

Resonant locking between binary systems induced by gravitational waves

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The interaction of gravitational waves (GWs) with matter is thought to be typically negligible in the Universe. We identify an exception in the case of resonant interactions, where GWs emitted by a background binary system, such as an inspiraling supermassive black hole (SMBH) binary, cause a resonant response in a stellar-mass foreground binary and the frequencies of the two systems become, and remain, synchronized. We point out that this previously unexplored dynamical phenomenon is not only possible, but can lead to O ( 30 ) binary systems becoming resonantly locked in the host galaxy of merging SMBHs of mass 10 8.5 − 11 M ⊙ , each of which has a significantly reduced merger time. We predict O ( 10 10 ) binary systems have been locked in the Universe’s history. Resonant locking could be detected through anomalous inspiral of binary systems.

Source: Physical review. D/Physical review. D.

DOI: 10.1103/nzrc-wvvp

Authors: Charlie Sharpe, Yonadav Barry Ginat, Zeyuan Xuan, Bence Kocsis

Institutions: University of Oxford, University of California, Los Angeles

Language: English

Topic: Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Science Foundation, Simons Foundation, Leverhulme Trust, Science and Technology Facilities Council

Awards: Astrophysics at Oxford 2022 -2025, NSF-BSF: Gravitational Waves From Compact Objects at Galactic Nuclei, G6714485218