Lecture notes on black hole binary astrophysics
  We describe some key astrophysical processes driving the formation and
evolution of black hole binaries of different nature, from stellar-mass to
supermassive systems. In the first part, we focus on the mainstream channels
proposed for the formation of stellar mass binaries relevant to ground-based
gravitational wave detectors, namely the {\it field} and the {\it dynamical}
scenarios. For the field scenario, we highlight the relevant steps in the
evolution of the binary, including mass transfer, supernovae explosions and
kicks, common envelope and gravitational wave emission. For the dynamical
scenario, we describe the main physical processes involved in the formation of
star clusters and the segregation of black holes in their centres. We then
identify the dynamical processes leading to binary formation, including
three-body capture, exchanges and hardening. The second part of the notes is
devoted to massive black hole formation and evolution, including the physics
leading to mass accretion and binary formation. Throughout the notes, we
provide several step-by-step pedagogical derivations, that should be
particularly suited to undergraduates and PhD students, but also to
gravitational wave physicists interested in approaching the subject of
gravitational wave sources from an astrophysical perspective.
