Unveiling supermassive black hole binaries with FUV-to-NIR spectropolarimetry

Abstract

In this proceedings, we review the importance and complexity of detecting and characterizing supermassive binary black holes using conventional techniques (spectroscopy, timing, imaging). We show how spectropolarimetric data can strengthen or discard binary black hole candidates on solid grounds, and present what kind of instrument could perform this task. Namely, a high spectral resolution polarimeter operating from the far-ultraviolet (FUV) to the near-infrared (NIR), such as the POLLUX prototype, would perfectly fit within the payload of the Habitable Worlds Observatory and help revolutionize the study of extragalactic objects.