Dual and Binary AGN: Observational Insights and Electromagnetic Signatures toward SMBH Mergers

The search for and characterization of dual and binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs) play a crucial role in understanding the co-evolution of galaxies and SMBHs, as well as the mechanisms driving SMBH formation and growth. I will briefly review recent findings in the field, focusing on dual and binary Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Current studies cover both low and high redshifts. They include statistical analyses of known AGN pairs with separations up to 100 kpc, the identification of new dual AGN samples with sub-kpc to kpc-scale separations, and the exploration of binary AGN candidates with sub-pc separations. These efforts are particularly significant for gravitational wave experiments, as binary SMBHs are powerful gravitational wave emitters within frequency ranges where PTA and LISA are most sensitive.

Brief CV of Dr. Paola Severgnini:

Research staff at INAF-OABrera since 2005.
Paola Severgnini’s research focuses on Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), particularly obscured AGN, and more recently, on dual and binary AGN approaching coalescence, which are crucial for understanding the evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes and multimessenger astronomy. She has also led several projects funded by ASI and is currently one of the national coordinators of a scientific project on dual and binary AGN, funded by INAF (“Dual and binary supermassive black holes in the multi-messenger era: from galaxy mergers to gravitational waves”). She also collaborates with national/international working groups on the scientific exploitation of new terrestrial EM instruments and future GW missions (LGWA and LISA).