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Adrian Ottewill

Publications and source records attributed to Adrian Ottewill.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

High-order gravitational late-time tails in Kerr spacetime

We calculate high-order late-time tails of the retarded Green function of the Teukolsky equation for linear field perturbations of (subextremal) Kerr spacetime. We calculate these tails at a fixed spheroidal harmonic $\ell$ and azimuthal number $m$ up to the first three orders for the field point: at finite radius (away from the event horizon) for large Boyer-Lindquist time $t$; along the future event horizon $\mathscr{H}^+$ for large ingoing Eddington-Finkelstein coordinate $v$; and along future null infinity $\mathscr{I}^+$ for large outgoing Eddington-Finkelstein coordinate $u$. We obtain the tail powers for generic integer field spin $s$ and the tail coefficients specifically for gravitational ($s=-2$) perturbations. Our asymptotics include the known leading power-law (generic) tails, respectively,$t^{-2\ell-3}$, $e^{im\Omega_H v}v^{-2\ell-3-b}$ (where $b=1$ for $s>0, m=0$ and $b=0$ otherwise, and where $\Omega_H$ is the angular velocity of the event horizon) and $u^{-\ell+s-2}$, as well as their higher-order logarithmic corrections: $t^{-2\ell-5}\ln t$, $e^{im\Omega_H v}v^{-2\ell-5-b}\ln v$ and $u^{-\ell+s-3}\ln u$ (as well as $u^{-\ell+s-4}\ln^2 u$). Since we obtain the high-order expansions for modes for generic $\ell$ and $m$, we can readily infer the explicit expansions of the {\it full} retarded Green function for $s=-2$ (and its decay powers for generic integer $s$). We obtain the late-time asymptotics from small-frequency expansions of the Fourier modes of the retarded Green function in the frequency domain. Accordingly, we also provide small-frequency expansions of various quantities of interest in the scattering theory. We also attach two notebooks which provide expansions for specific values of $s$: one notebook provides them to the first three leading orders for generic $\ell$ and the other one to arbitrary order for specific values of $\ell$.

gr-qc

Vacuum polarization and renormalized stress-energy tensor of spherical thin shells

We provide a thorough study of the properties of the Boulware vacuum in the spacetime of a spherical, static thin shell with a Minkowski interior. To this end, we calculate the renormalized vacuum polarization and stress-energy tensor of massless scalar fields via the extended-coordinate prescription, paying particular attention to their scaling as the shell approaches the black hole limit. Near the surface of the thin shell, we obtain the expected leading-order singular behavior of both quantities via two independent methods: a high-frequency approximation for the modes, and a weak-field approximation. At the center of the shell we find non-local, Casimir-like contributions that remain finite in the black hole limit, and whose backreaction effects we compute via the semiclassical Einstein equations. Away from these regions amenable to analytic treatment, we obtain numerical results for a wide range of shell compactnesses and field couplings. In the black hole limit, we show that the vacuum polarization and renormalized stress-energy tensor outside the shell quickly approach the ones generated by a Schwarzschild black hole, suggesting a possible universality in the vacuum outside highly compact horizonless objects. This work addresses the conceptual and technical aspects necessary for computing renormalized expectation values in matter configurations, laying the foundations for future explorations on the subject.

gr-qc

Post-Newtonian expansion of fluxes from a scalar charge on an inclined-spherical orbit about a Kerr black hole

Efforts are underway to accurately model extreme-mass-ratio inspirals for binaries with a spinning (Kerr) primary. At lowest order the adiabatic evolution depends on the radiation fluxes. Fluxes and other self-force quantities can be expanded analytically in post-Newtionian (PN) series allowing the early evolutionary phase to be understood. When it comes to more complicated background geodesic orbits, it proves useful to use the scalar field model problem to guide development and testing of techniques. In this paper, we present analytical expressions for the scalar fluxes from a scalar point-charge in inclined-spherical orbit about a Kerr black hole up to 12PN relative order, with expressions that are exact in terms of the inclination parameter $x$ and black hole spin $a$. The expressions are constructed using the Mano, Suzuki, and Takasugi method of solving the scalar wave equation in a Kerr background. We compare the numerical evaluation of these flux expressions to full numerical ($s=0$) Teukolsky code results, examining their degree of utility as the strong-field region is approached.

gr-qc

Post-Newtonian expansion of gravitational energy and angular momentum fluxes: inclined spherical orbits about a Kerr black hole

We present analytical expressions for the fluxes of energy and angular momentum from a point mass on an inclined spherical orbit about a Kerr black hole. The expressions are obtained using the method of Mano, Suzuki and Takasugi to construct analytical solutions of the Teukolsky equation, and are given as post-Newtonian expansions valid through 12PN, with arbitrary values for the inclination parameter $x$ and black hole spin $a$. We characterize the structure of the PN expansions in terms of their dependence on $x$ and $a$, and we validate our results against numerical calculations.

gr-qc

The renormalized stress-energy tensor for scalar fields in the Boulware state with applications to extremal black holes

We provide a mode-sum prescription to directly compute the renormalized stress-energy tensor (RSET) for scalar fields in the Boulware vacuum. The method generalizes the recently developed extended coordinate method which was previously only applicable to Hartle-Hawking states. We exhibit the accuracy and efficiency of the method by calculating the RSET in sub-extremal and extremal Reissner-Nordstr\"om spacetimes. We find numerical evidence for the regularity of the RSET at the extremal horizon regardless of the field mass and its coupling. We employ our numerical results of the RSET to source the semi-classical Einstein equations, demonstrating that if the RSET is considered as a static perturbation, it will either de-extremalize the black hole, or convert it into a horizonless object.

gr-qc

Renormalized stress-energy tensor for scalar fields in Hartle-Hawking, Boulware and Unruh states in the Reissner-Nordström spacetime

In this paper, we consider a quantum scalar field propagating on the Reissner-Nordström black hole spacetime. We compute the renormalized stress-energy tensor for the field in the Hartle-Hawking, Boulware and Unruh states. When the field is in the Hartle-Hawking state, we renormalize using the recently developed ``extended coordinate'' prescription. This method, which relies on Euclidean techniques, is very fast and accurate. Once, we have renormalized in the Hartle-Hawking state, we compute the stress-energy tensor in the Boulware and Unruh states by leveraging the fact that the difference between stress-energy tensors in different quantum states is already finite. We consider a range of coupling constants and masses for the field and a range of electric charge values for the black hole, including near-extreme values. Lastly, we compare these results with the analytic approximations available in the literature.

gr-qc

A mode-sum prescription for the renormalized stress energy tensor on black hole spacetimes

In this paper, we describe an extremely efficient method for computing the renormalized stress-energy tensor of a quantum scalar field in spherically-symmetric black hole spacetimes. The method applies to a scalar field with arbitrary field parameters. We demonstrate the utility of the method by computing the renormalized stress-energy tensor for a scalar field in the Schwarzschild black hole spacetime, applying our results to discuss the null energy condition and the semi-classical backreaction.

gr-qc

Characteristic formulation of the Regge-Wheeler and Zerilli Green functions

We present a characteristic initial value approach to calculating the Green function of the Regge-Wheeler and Zerilli equations. We combine well-known numerical methods with newly derived initial data to obtain a scheme which can in principle be generalised to any desired order of convergence. We demonstrate the approach with implementations up to sixth-order in the grid spacing. By combining the results of our numerical code with late-time tail expansions and methods of subtracting the direct part of the Green function, we show that the scalar self-force in Schwarzschild spacetime can be computed to better accuracy than previous Green-function based approaches. We also demonstrate agreement with frequency-domain methods for computing the Green function in the gravitational case. Finally, we apply the Regge-Wheeler and Zerilli Green functions to the computation of the gravitational energy flux.

gr-qc

High-order expansions of the Detweiler-Whiting singular field in Kerr spacetime

In a previous paper, we computed expressions for the Detweiler-Whiting singular field of point scalar, electromagnetic and gravitational charges following a geodesic of the Schwarzschild spacetime. We now extend this to the case of equatorial orbits in Kerr spacetime, using coordinate and covariant approaches to compute expansions of the singular field in scalar, electromagnetic and gravitational cases. As an application, we give the calculation of previously unknown mode-sum regularization parameters. We also propose a new application of high-order approximations to the singular field, showing how they may be used to compute $m$-mode regularization parameters for use in the $m$-mode effective source approach to self-force calculations.

gr-qc

High-order expansions of the Detweiler-Whiting singular field in Schwarzschild spacetime

The self field of a charged particle has a component that diverges at the particle. We use both coordinate and covariant approaches to compute an expansion of this singular field for generic geodesic orbits in Schwarzschild spacetime for scalar, electromagnetic and graviational cases. We check agreement of both approaches and give, as an application, the calculation of previously unknown regularisation parameters. In this so-called "mode-sum regularization" approach, each mode of the field is finite, while their sum diverges. The sum may be rendered finite and convergent by the subtraction of "regularization parameters". Higher order parameters lead to faster convergence in the mode-sum. As a second example application, we compute high order expressions for the effective source approach to self-force calculations.

gr-qc

Pade Approximants of the Green Function in Spherically Symmetric Spacetimes

We investigate the scalar Green function for spherically symmetric spacetimes expressed as a coordinate series expansion in the separation of the points. We calculate the series expansion of the function $V(x,x')$ appearing in the Hadamard parametrix of the scalar Green function to very high order. This expansion is then used to investigate the convergence properties of the series and to estimate its radius of convergence. Using the method of Pade approximants, we show that the series can be extended beyond its radius of convergence to within a short distance of the normal neighborhood boundary.

gr-qc

Automatic cross-talk removal from multi-channel data

A technique is described for removing interference from a signal of interest ("channel 1") which is one of a set of N time-domain instrumental signals ("channels 1 to N"). We assume that channel 1 is a linear combination of "true" signal plus noise, and that the "true" signal is not correlated with the noise. We also assume that part of this noise is produced, in a poorly-understood way, by the environment, and that the environment is monitored by channels 2 to N. Finally, we assume that the contribution of channel n to channel 1 is described by an (unknown!) linear transfer function R_n(t-t'). Our technique estimates the R_i and provides a way to subtract the environmental contamination from channel 1, giving an estimate of the "true" signal which minimizes its variance. It also provides some insights into how the environment is contaminating the signal of interest. The method is illustrated with data from a prototype interferometric gravitational-wave detector, in which the channel of interest (differential displacement) is heavily contaminated by environmental noise (magnetic and seismic noise) and laser frequency noise but where the coupling between these signals is not known in advance.

gr-qc

Closed Form Expression for the Momentum Radiated from Cosmic String Loops

We modify the recent analytic formula given by Allen and Casper for the rate at which piecewise linear cosmic string loops lose energy to gravitational radiation to yield the analogous analytic formula for the rate at which loops radiate momentum. The resulting formula (which is exact when the effects of gravitational back-reaction are neglected) is a sum of O(N^4) polynomial and log terms where, N is the total number of segments on the piecewise linear string loop. As illustration, we write the formula explicitly for a simple one-parameter family of loops with N=5. For most loops the large number of terms makes evaluation ``by hand" impractical, but, a computer or symbolic manipulator may by used to yield accurate results. The formula has been used to correct numerical results given in the existing literature. To assist future work in this area, a small catalog of results for a number of simple string loops is provided.

gr-qc

Analytic Results for the Gravitational Radiation from a Class of Cosmic String Loops

Cosmic string loops are defined by a pair of periodic functions ${\bf a}$ and ${\bf b}$, which trace out unit-length closed curves in three-dimensional space. We consider a particular class of loops, for which ${\bf a}$ lies along a line and ${\bf b}$ lies in the plane orthogonal to that line. For this class of cosmic string loops one may give a simple analytic expression for the power $γ$ radiated in gravitational waves. We evaluate $γ$ exactly in closed form for several special cases: (1) ${\bf b}$ a circle traversed $M$ times; (2) ${\bf b}$ a regular polygon with $N$ sides and interior vertex angle $π-2πM/N$; (3) ${\bf b}$ an isosceles triangle with semi-angle $θ$. We prove that case (1) with $M=1$ is the absolute minimum of $γ$ within our special class of loops, and identify all the stationary points of $γ$ in this class.

gr-qc