Prospects for Measuring the Hubble Constant with Neutron-Star-Black-Hole Mergers.
Stephen M Feeney1, Hiranya V Peiris1,2, Samaya M Nissanke3,4
1Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|May 14, 2021
Summary
Neutron-star-black-hole mergers observed with gravitational waves (GW) and electromagnetic signals (EM) can precisely measure the Hubble constant (H_{0}). This offers a path to resolving the current H_{0} tension by 2030.
Area of Science:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Cosmology
Background:
- The Hubble constant (H_{0}) is crucial for understanding the universe's expansion rate.
- Current measurements of H_{0} show a significant tension between early and late universe observations.
- Neutron-star-black-hole (NSBH) mergers are potential sources for new cosmological probes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the potential of NSBH mergers for precise local Hubble constant (H_{0}) measurements.
- To investigate the impact of GW and EM observations on H_{0} estimation accuracy.
- To determine the required precision for H_{0} estimates by 2030.
Main Methods:
- Simulated realistic populations of NSBH mergers.
- Incorporated both gravitational wave (GW) and electromagnetic (EM) signal selection.
- Performed end-to-end analyses to estimate H_{0} precision.
Main Results:
- NSBH mergers, with combined GW and EM observations, can yield unbiased H_{0} estimates with 1.5%-2.4% precision by 2030.
- The precision of H_{0} measurements is sensitive to spin precession and tidal disruption effects in NSBH mergers.
- This study demonstrates the feasibility of using NSBH mergers as a cosmological tool.
Conclusions:
- NSBH mergers are a promising avenue for resolving the H_{0} tension.
- Improved theoretical modeling of NSBH merger physics is essential for maximizing H_{0} precision.
- Future GW and EM observatories can leverage NSBH events for precise cosmology.
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