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arXiv · 2609.11726

From the Test-Mass Limit to Binary Black-Hole Waveforms in Higher-Derivative Gravity

Chaoyi Yang·Neev Khera·Dongjun Li·Huan Yang
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Abstract

Many higher-derivative theories predict stronger deviations from General Relativity for lower-mass black holes, while their nonlinear field equations often prevent reliable simulations of the full binary evolution. Here we develop a route from controlled black hole perturbation theory based on the modified Teukolsky formalism to comparable-mass waveforms, using parity-even cubic gravity as a representative example. We find that the tidal response of the secondary black hole enters at the same perturbative order as the direct higher-curvature correction and is therefore essential for a consistent leading-order waveform. The resulting strong-field fluxes and conservative dynamics produce an accumulated inspiral dephasing that grows toward merger. Embedding this test-mass information into an effective-one-body model, we construct inspiral-merger-ringdown waveforms for comparable-mass binaries and find coupling-dependent dephasing and waveform-peak shifts. Our results demonstrate how strong-field test-mass calculations can anchor waveform models for higher-derivative gravity when theory-specific numerical-relativity simulations are unavailable.

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Chaoyi Yang, Neev Khera, Dongjun Li, Huan Yang. 2026-09-10. From the Test-Mass Limit to Binary Black-Hole Waveforms in Higher-Derivative Gravity. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.11726

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