• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion
  • Free to Read

GW150914: Implications for the Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background from Binary Black Holes

B. P. Abbott et al. (LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration)
Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 131102 – Published 31 March 2016
Physics logo See Focus story: Background Noise of Gravitational Waves

Abstract

The LIGO detection of the gravitational wave transient GW150914, from the inspiral and merger of two black holes with masses 30M, suggests a population of binary black holes with relatively high mass. This observation implies that the stochastic gravitational-wave background from binary black holes, created from the incoherent superposition of all the merging binaries in the Universe, could be higher than previously expected. Using the properties of GW150914, we estimate the energy density of such a background from binary black holes. In the most sensitive part of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo band for stochastic backgrounds (near 25 Hz), we predict ΩGW(f=25Hz)=1.10.9+2.7×109 with 90% confidence. This prediction is robustly demonstrated for a variety of formation scenarios with different parameters. The differences between models are small compared to the statistical uncertainty arising from the currently poorly constrained local coalescence rate. We conclude that this background is potentially measurable by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors operating at their projected final sensitivity.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 13 February 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.131102

© 2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Gravitation, Cosmology & Astrophysics

Focus

Key Image

Background Noise of Gravitational Waves

Published 31 March 2016

Assuming LIGO’s recently detected black hole merger is not unusual, researchers revised upward their estimate of the strength of the background noise coming from distant mergers across the Universe.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Click to Expand

See Also

GW150914: The Advanced LIGO Detectors in the Era of First Discoveries

B. P. Abbott et al. (LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration)
Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 131103 (2016)

Article Text

Click to Expand

References

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 116, Iss. 13 — 1 April 2016

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article part of CHORUS

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×