Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic Center

Primordial black holes (PBHs) from the early Universe that can contribute to dark matter (DM) abundance have been linked to gravitational-wave observations. Supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies are expected to modify the distribution of DM in their vicinity and can result in highly co...

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Main Authors: Qianhang Ding, Minxi He, Volodymyr Takhistov
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adaeb4
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author Qianhang Ding
Minxi He
Volodymyr Takhistov
author_facet Qianhang Ding
Minxi He
Volodymyr Takhistov
author_sort Qianhang Ding
collection DOAJ
description Primordial black holes (PBHs) from the early Universe that can contribute to dark matter (DM) abundance have been linked to gravitational-wave observations. Supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies are expected to modify the distribution of DM in their vicinity and can result in highly concentrated DM spikes. We revisit PBH merger rates in the presence of DM spikes, tracking their history. We find novel peaked structure in the redshift evolution of PBH merger rates at low redshifts around z  ∼ 5. These effects are generic and are present for distinct PBH mass functions and spike profiles, and also can be linked to peaked structure in the redshift evolution of the star formation rate. Redshift evolution characteristics of PBH merger rates can be distinguished from astrophysical black hole contributions and observable with gravitational waves, enabling them to serve as probes of DM in galactic centers.
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spelling doaj-art-d5d0e0db474446afbe2260b2963350cd2025-08-20T02:03:35ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572025-01-0198116210.3847/1538-4357/adaeb4Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic CenterQianhang Ding0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6703-2531Minxi He1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2480-6848Volodymyr Takhistov2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2647-3431Cosmology, Gravity and Astroparticle Physics Group, Center for Theoretical Physics of the Universe, Institute for Basic Science (IBS) , Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea ; dingqh@ibs.re.krParticle Theory and Cosmology Group, Center for Theoretical Physics of the Universe, Institute for Basic Science (IBS) , Daejeon 34126, Republic of Korea ; heminxi@ibs.re.krInternational Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP) , High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan ; vtakhist@post.kek.jp; Theory Center, Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS) , High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba 305-0801, Japan; Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI) , 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan; Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (WPI), UTIAS, The University of Tokyo , Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583, JapanPrimordial black holes (PBHs) from the early Universe that can contribute to dark matter (DM) abundance have been linked to gravitational-wave observations. Supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies are expected to modify the distribution of DM in their vicinity and can result in highly concentrated DM spikes. We revisit PBH merger rates in the presence of DM spikes, tracking their history. We find novel peaked structure in the redshift evolution of PBH merger rates at low redshifts around z  ∼ 5. These effects are generic and are present for distinct PBH mass functions and spike profiles, and also can be linked to peaked structure in the redshift evolution of the star formation rate. Redshift evolution characteristics of PBH merger rates can be distinguished from astrophysical black hole contributions and observable with gravitational waves, enabling them to serve as probes of DM in galactic centers.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adaeb4Primordial black holesGalaxy dark matter halosGravitational waves
spellingShingle Qianhang Ding
Minxi He
Volodymyr Takhistov
Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic Center
The Astrophysical Journal
Primordial black holes
Galaxy dark matter halos
Gravitational waves
title Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic Center
title_full Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic Center
title_fullStr Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic Center
title_full_unstemmed Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic Center
title_short Primordial Black Hole Mergers as Probes of Dark Matter in the Galactic Center
title_sort primordial black hole mergers as probes of dark matter in the galactic center
topic Primordial black holes
Galaxy dark matter halos
Gravitational waves
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adaeb4
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