LISA's Potential for Detecting Intermediate and Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals Quantified

This research quantifies the scientific potential of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) for detecting and characterizing Extreme and Intermediate Mass Ratio Inspirals (EMRIs/IMRIs). Using a fully relativistic pipeline, the study maps instrumental performance directly to detection horizons and parameter measurement precision across a range of primary and secondary masses. The results indicate that EMRIs with higher primary masses are more sensitive to instrument degradation, while IMRIs are more robust and can reach higher redshifts. All prograde systems achieve sub-percent spin precision within three months of observation, highlighting LISA's ability to precisely measure black hole properties.

The extended 4.5-year mission significantly increases the detection horizon for EMRIs and improves sky localization, enhancing the overall scientific yield. The study also finds that IMRI detection is robust against degradation, but parameter estimation is more vulnerable due to fewer cycles in band. With the full baseline, EMRI observations can constrain scalar dipole emission and Kerr quadrupole deviations below ground-based bounds. The release of accompanying software and an interactive website enables the community to rapidly quantify the scientific potential of EMRIs and IMRIs, fostering collaboration and accelerating scientific discovery. The implications for astrophysics are profound, as LISA's observations will provide unique insights into black hole physics, galactic nuclei environments, and strong-field gravity.

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