Dynamical inference of black hole populations in globular clusters

Abstract

<p>The present-day black hole (BH) populations of globular clusters (GCs) have far-reaching implications for the evolution of these systems and the production of gravitational wave sources. Despite this, our ability to constrain these populations remains unclear. Using synthetic observations from CMC models, we test one dynamical method, finding it to be effective but likely underestimating uncertainties. Additionally, we introduce a new technique for combining dynamical models with pulsar timing, and apply it to two Milky Way GCs. This reveals a modest BH population in 47 Tuc (with a total mass of 446&plusmn;⁷⁵₇₂ M_⊙), suggesting no need for a large central BH, and sets a significant upper limit for the mass in BHs in Terzan 5 of &sim; 4000 M_⊙. This technique, not reliant on stellar kinematics, offers insights into the dynamics of even heavily obscured GCs and will benefit from future radio telescope observations.</p>