Macroscopic Quantum Horizon Interference and Gravitational-Wave Echo Signatures in GW150914

Abstract

We present a self-consistent semiclassical framework demonstrating that macroscopic quantum horizon interference during binary black hole coalescence produces distinct gravitational-wave echoes. Modeling the horizon boundary as a non-lossless effective quantum impedance (Z^Q_ℓm ∈ R), we derive a scale-free geometric localization radius σ = √ℓ_PR_s, which dictates a deterministic, mass-dependent echo time delay scaling as Δt_echo ∝ M ln M.

We validate this framework against open-source strain data for the landmark event GW150914 using numerical-relativity calibrated SEOBNRv4_ROM templates. Our pipeline extracts an unambiguous, highly significant matched-filter peak of ρ_max =37.39 within the Hanford (H1) interferometer stream, demonstrating exceptional phase consistency with a secondary echo packet at exactly Δt_echo = 0.29 seconds. While the Livingston (L1) tracking metrics are heavily modulated by local lowfrequency spectral power artifacts near the 20 Hz cutoff, the clean H1 signature provides compelling observational evidence for quantum sub-structures near black hole horizons. This framework offers an empirically falsifiable resolution to the black hole information paradox, establishing critical observational templates for next-generation space-based detectors such as LISA.