Electromagnetic Counterparts of Stellar-mass Binary Black Hole Mergers in AGN Accretion Disks: Theoretical Models and Observational Status

Abstract

The discovery of the binary neutron star merger GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterparts marked the beginning of the era of multimessenger gravitational-wave astronomy. In contrast, binary black hole (BBH) mergers, which constitute the majority of gravitational-wave sources detected to date, are generally expected to be electromagnetically dark. However, if BBH mergers occur within the dense gaseous environments of active galactic nucleus (AGN) accretion disks, interactions between the merging black holes and surrounding gas may produce electromagnetic emission across multiple wavelengths. AGN disks may therefore provide a natural multimessenger laboratory for studying BBH mergers and their astrophysical environments. A key question is whether such a scenario is supported by current observations and whether the associated electromagnetic signatures are sufficiently distinctive and detectable. In this review, we summarize the current theoretical and observational status of BBH mergers in AGN accretion disks, focusing on the evidence for their occurrence, the physical mechanisms and expected signatures of electromagnetic emission, and searches for candidate counterparts. We also discuss the major challenges in identifying and confirming these associations and the prospects for future multimessenger observations with current and forthcoming multiwavelength facilities.