Massive Black Hole Science with eLISA

Enrico Barausse (1) , Jillian Bellovary (2, 3) , Emanuele Berti (4) , Kelly Holley-Bockelmann (2, 3) , Brian Farris (5, 6) , Bangalore Sathyaprakash (7) , Alberto Sesana (8)

1 IAP - Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris
2 Department of Physics and Astronomy [Nashville]
3 Fisk University
4 Department of Physics and Astronomy [U Mississippi]
5 NYU - New York University [New York]
6 Columbia University [New York]
7 School of Physics and Astronomy [Cardiff]
8 AEI - Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik ( Albert-Einstein-Institut )

The evolving Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA) will revolutionize our understanding of the formation and evolution of massive black holes (MBHs) along cosmic history, by probing massive black hole binaries (MBHBs) in the 10(3) - 10(7) M-circle dot range out to redshift z greater than or similar to 10. High signal-to-noise ratio detections of similar to 10 - 100 MBHB coalescences per year will allow accurate measurements of the parameters of individual MBHBs (such as their masses, spins and luminosity distance), and a deep understanding of the underlying cosmic MBH parent population. This wealth of unprecedented information can lead to breakthroughs in many areas of physics, including astrophysics, cosmology and fundamental physics. We review the current status of the field, recent progress and future challenges.

Domaines: Astrophysique [astro-ph]

Enrico Barausse, Jillian Bellovary, Emanuele Berti, Kelly Holley-Bockelmann, Brian Farris, et al.. Massive Black Hole Science with eLISA. 10th International Lisa Symposium, 610, Iop Publishing Ltd, 2015, ⟨10.1088/1742-6596/610/1/012001⟩. ⟨hal-01261443⟩