Gravitational Wave Decoupling in Retrograde Circumbinary Disks

Abstract We present a study of the late-time interaction between supermassive black hole binaries and retrograde circumbinary disks during the period of gravitational wave-driven inspiral. While mergers in prograde disks have received extensive study, retrograde disks offer distinct dynamics that could promote mergers and produce unique observational signatures. Through 2D numerical hydrodynamical simulations, we explore the process of binary-disk decoupling, where the binary’s orbital decay rate is faster than the disk’s viscous response rate. We find the point of decoupling to be comparable in prograde and retrograde disks, suggesting that any associated electromagnetic (EM) signatures will be produced at comparable times preceding the merger. However, we find smaller central cavities for retrograde disks, likely leading to higher-frequency EM emissions and shorter postmerger rebrightening timescales compared to their prograde counterparts. Retrograde disks form intrabinary bridges, which are prone to instabilities when the viscosity is low. These instabilities manifest as quasiperiodic flares in the accretion rate, which may produce distinctive EM signatures for retrograde disks.