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Probing Distant Massive Black Holes with LISA

Kristen Menou
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Abstract

Idealized models are used to illustrate the potential of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) as a probe of the largely unknown population of cosmologically-distant Massive Black Holes (MBHs) and as a tool to measure their masses with unprecedented accuracy. The models suggest that LISA will most efficiently probe a MBH population of lower mass than the one found in bright quasars and nearby galactic nuclei. The mass spectrum of these MBHs could constrain formation scenarios for high-redshift, low-mass galaxies.

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Kristen Menou. 2003-01-20. Probing Distant Massive Black Holes with LISA. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381%2F20%2F10%2F305

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