Gravitational-wave background from compact objects embedded in AGN accretion disks
Oct, 2006
Citations per year
Abstract: (arXiv)
We consider a model in which massive stars form in a self-gravitating accretion disk around an active galactic nucleus (AGN). These stars may evolve and collapse to form compact objects on a time scale shorter than the accretion time, thus producing an important family of sources for LISA. Assuming the compact object formation/inspiral rate is proportional to the steady-state gas accretion rate, we use the intrinsic hard X-ray AGN luminosity function to estimate expected event rates and signal strengths. We find that these sources will produce a continuous low-frequency (<~ mHz) background detectable by LISA if more than 1% of the accreted matter is in the form of compact objects. For compact objects with masses >~ 10 solar masses the last stages of the inspiral events should be resolvable above a few mHz, with rates as high as a few hundred per year.- 98.70.Sa
- 98.54.Cm
- 04.30.Db
- 04.80.Nn
- black hole: massive
- matter: accretion
- AGN
- gravitational radiation: particle source
- gravitational radiation: background
- X-ray: luminosity
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