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| Paper: |
Detection of Periodic Variability in Simulated QSO Light Curves |
| Volume: |
442, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems XX (ADASSXX) |
| Page: |
159 |
| Authors: |
Westman, D. B.; MacLeod, C. L.; Ivezić, Ž. |
| Abstract: |
Periodic light curve behavior predicted for some binary black hole systems might be detected
in large samples, such as the multi-million quasar sample expected from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). We investigate the false-alarm probability for the discovery of a periodic
signal in light curves simulated using damped random walk (DRW) model. This model provides
a good description of observed light curves, and does not include periodic behavior.
We used the Lomb-Scargle periodogram to search for a periodic signal in a million simulated light
curves that properly sample the DRW parameter space, and the LSST cadence space. We find
that even a very conservative threshold for false-alarm probability still yields thousands
of “good” binary black hole candidates. We conclude that the future claims for binary black
holes based on Lomb-Scargle analysis of LSST light curves will have to be interpreted with caution. |
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