arXiv subjects

Eric Gourgoulhon

Publications and source records attributed to Eric Gourgoulhon.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

The final phase of inspiral of neutron stars: realistic equations of state

Coalescing compact star binaries are expected to be among the strongest sources of gravitational radiation to be seen by laser interferometers. We present calculations of the final phase of inspiral of equal mass irrotational neutron star binaries and strange quark star binaries. Six types of equations of state at zero temperature are used - three realistic nuclear equations of state of various softness and three different MIT bag models of strange quark matter. We study the precoalescing stage within the Isenberg-Wilson-Mathews approximation of general relativity using a multidomain spectral method. The gravitational-radiation driven evolution of the binary system is approximated by a sequence of quasi-equilibrium configurations at fixed baryon number and decreasing separation. We find that the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) is given by an orbital instability for binary strange quark stars and by the mass-shedding limit for neutron star binaries. The gravitational wave frequency at the ISCO, which marks the end of the inspiral phase, is found to be around 1100-1460 Hz for two 1.35 solar masses irrotational strange stars described by the MIT bag model and between 800 Hz and 1230 Hz for neutron stars.

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arXiv2006

Binary neutron stars: Equilibrium models beyond spatial conformal flatness

Equilibria of binary neutron stars in close circular orbits are computed numerically in a waveless formulation: The full Einstein-relativistic-Euler system is solved on an initial hypersurface to obtain an asymptotically flat form of the 4-metric and an extrinsic curvature whose time derivative vanishes in a comoving frame. Two independent numerical codes are developed, and solution sequences that model inspiraling binary neutron stars during the final several orbits are successfully computed. The binding energy of the system near its final orbit deviates from earlier results of third post-Newtonian and of spatially conformally flat calculations. The new solutions may serve as initial data for merger simulations and as members of quasiequilibrium sequences to generate gravitational wave templates, and may improve estimates of the gravitational-wave cutoff frequency set by the last inspiral orbit.

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arXiv2006

Viscosity driven instability in rotating relativistic stars

We investigate the viscosity driven instability in rotating relativistic stars by means of an iterative approach. We focus on polytropic rotating equilibrium stars and impose an m=2 perturbationin the lapse. We vary both the stiffness of the equation of state and the compactness of the star to study those effects on the value of the threshold. For a uniformly rotating star, the criterion T/W, where T is the rotational kinetic energy and W is the gravitational binding energy, mainly depends on the compactness of the star and takes values around 0.13 ~ 0.16, which differ slightly from that of Newtonian incompressible stars (~ 0.14). For differentially rotating stars, the critical value of T/W is found to span the range 0.17 - 0.25. This is significantly larger than the uniformly rotating case with the same compactness of the star. Finally we discuss a possibility of detecting gravitational waves from viscosity driven instability with ground-based interferometers.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Area evolution, bulk viscosity and entropy principles for dynamical horizons

We derive from Einstein equation an evolution law for the area of a trapping or dynamical horizon. The solutions to this differential equation show a causal behavior. Moreover, in a viscous fluid analogy, the equation can be interpreted as an energy balance law, yielding to a positive bulk viscosity. These two features contrast with the event horizon case, where the non-causal evolution of the area and the negative bulk viscosity require teleological boundary conditions. This reflects the local character of trapping horizons as opposed to event horizons. Interpreting the area as the entropy, we propose to use an area/entropy evolution principle to select a unique dynamical horizon and time slicing in the Cauchy evolution of an initial marginally trapped surface.

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arXiv2006

An introduction to relativistic hydrodynamics

This lecture provides some introduction to perfect fluid dynamics within the framework of general relativity. The presentation is based on the Carter-Lichnerowicz approach. It has the advantage over the more traditional approach of leading very straightforwardly to important conservation laws, such as the relativistic generalizations of Bernoulli's theorem or Kelvin's circulation theorem. It also permits to get easily first integrals of motion which are particularly useful for computing equilibrium configurations of relativistic stars in rotation or in binary systems. The presentation is relatively self-contained and does not require any a priori knowledge of general relativity. In particular, the three types of derivatives involved in relativistic hydrodynamics are introduced in detail: this concerns the Lie, exterior and covariant derivatives.

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arXiv2005

A generalized Damour-Navier-Stokes equation applied to trapping horizons

An identity is derived from Einstein equation for any hypersurface H which can be foliated by spacelike two-dimensional surfaces. In the case where the hypersurface is null, this identity coincides with the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes-like equation obtained by Damour in the membrane approach to a black hole event horizon. In the case where H is spacelike or null and the 2-surfaces are marginally trapped, this identity applies to Hayward's trapping horizons and to the related dynamical horizons recently introduced by Ashtekar and Krishnan. The identity involves a normal fundamental form (normal connection 1-form) of the 2-surface, which can be viewed as a generalization to non-null hypersurfaces of the Hajicek 1-form used by Damour. This 1-form is also used to define the angular momentum of the horizon. The generalized Damour-Navier-Stokes equation leads then to a simple evolution equation for the angular momentum.

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arXiv2005

Last orbits of binary strange quark stars

We present the first relativistic calculations of the final phase of inspiral of a binary system consisting of two stars built predominantely of strange quark matter (strange quark stars). We study the precoalescing stage within the Isenberg-Wilson-Mathews approximation of general relativity using a multidomain spectral method. A hydrodynamical treatment is performed under the assumption that the flow is either rigidly rotating or irrotational, taking into account the finite density at the stellar surface -- a distinctive feature with respect to the neutron star case. The gravitational-radiation driven evolution of the binary system is approximated by a sequence of quasi-equilibrium configurations at fixed baryon number and decreasing separation. We find that the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) is given by an orbital instability both for synchronized and irrotational systems. This constrasts with neutron stars for which the ISCO is given by the mass-shedding limit in the irrotational case. The gravitational wave frequency at the ISCO, which marks the end of the inspiral phase, is found to be 1400 Hz for two irrotational 1.35 Msol strange stars and for the MIT bag model of strange matter with massless quarks and a bag constant B=60 MeV/fm^3. Detailed comparisons with binary neutrons star models, as well as with third order Post-Newtonian point-mass binaries are given.

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arXiv2004

Quasiequilibrium sequences of binary strange quark stars in general relativity

Inspiraling compact binaries are expected to be the strongest sources of gravitational waves for VIRGO, LIGO and other laser interferometers. We present the first computations of quasi-equilibrium sequences of compact binaries containing two strange quark stars (which are currently considered as a possible alternative to neutron stars). We study a precoalescing stage in the conformal flatness approximation of general relativity using a multidomain spectral method. A hydrodynamical treatment is performed under the assumption that the flow is irrotational.

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arXiv2004

Evolutionary sequences of rotating protoneutron stars

We investigate the evolution of rigidly and differentially rotating protoneutron stars (PNSs) during the first twenty seconds of their life. We solve the equations describing stationary axisymmetric configurations in general relativity coupled to a finite temperature, relativistic equation of state, to obtain a sequence of quasi-equilibrium configurations describing the evolution of newly born neutron stars. Our estimates show that the scale of variation of the angular velocity in a PNSs is of the order of 7-10 km. We obtain the maximum rotation frequency that can be reached as the protoneutron stars deleptonizes and cools down, as well as other relevant parameters such as total angular momentum or |T/W|. Our study shows that imposing physical constraints (conservation of baryonic mass and angular momentum) and choosing reasonable thermodynamical profiles as the star evolves gives results consistent with the energetics of more complex simulations of non-rotating PNSs. It appears to be unlikely that PNSs formed in nearly axisymmetric core collapse reach the critical angular velocity to undergo the bar mode instability. They could, however, undergo secular or low |T/W| rotational instabilities a few seconds after birth, resulting in a strong emission of gravitational waves retarded with respect to the neutrino luminosity peak. We also found that the geometry of strongly differentially rotating protoneutron stars can become toroidal-like for large values of the angular velocity, before reaching the mass shedding limit.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Various features of quasiequilibrium sequences of binary neutron stars in general relativity

Quasiequilibrium sequences of binary neutron stars are numerically calculated in the framework of the Isenberg-Wilson-Mathews (IWM) approximation of general relativity. The results are presented for both rotation states of synchronized spins and irrotational motion, the latter being considered as the realistic one for binary neutron stars just prior to the merger. We assume a polytropic equation of state and compute several evolutionary sequences of binary systems composed of different-mass stars as well as identical-mass stars with adiabatic indices gamma=2.5, 2.25, 2, and 1.8. From our results, we propose as a conjecture that if the turning point of binding energy (and total angular momentum) locating the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) is found in Newtonian gravity for some value of the adiabatic index gamma_0, that of the ADM mass (and total angular momentum) should exist in the IWM approximation of general relativity for the same value of the adiabatic index.

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arXiv2002

Quasiequilibrium sequences of synchronized and irrotational binary neutron stars in general relativity. III. Identical and different mass stars with gamma=2

We present the first computations of quasiequilibrium binary neutron stars with different mass components in general relativity, within the Isenberg-Wilson-Mathews approximation. We consider both cases of synchronized rotation and irrotational motion. A polytropic equation of state is used with the adiabatic index gamma=2. The computations have been performed for the following combinations of stars: (M/R)_{star 1} vs. (M/R)_{star 2} = 0.12 vs. (0.12, 0.13, 0.14), 0.14 vs. (0.14, 0.15, 0.16), 0.16 vs. (0.16, 0.17, 0.18), and 0.18 vs. 0.18, where (M/R) denotes the compactness parameter of infinitely separated stars of the same baryon number. It is found that for identical mass binary systems there is no turning point of the binding energy (ADM mass) before the end point of the sequence (mass shedding point) in the irrotational case, while there is one before the end point of the sequence (contact point) in the synchronized case. On the other hand, in the different mass case, the sequence ends by the tidal disruption of the less massive star (mass shedding point). It is then more difficult to find a turning point in the ADM mass. Furthermore, we find that the deformation of each star depends mainly on the orbital separation and the mass ratio and very weakly on its compactness. On the other side, the decrease of the central energy density depends on the compactness of the star and not on that of the companion.

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arXiv2002

Jacobi-like bar mode instability of relativistic rotating bodies

We perform some numerical study of the secular triaxial instability of rigidly rotating homogeneous fluid bodies in general relativity. In the Newtonian limit, this instability arises at the bifurcation point between the Maclaurin and Jacobi sequences. It can be driven in astrophysical systems by viscous dissipation. We locate the onset of instability along several constant baryon mass sequences of uniformly rotating axisymmetric bodies for compaction parameter $M/R = 0-0.275$. We find that general relativity weakens the Jacobi like bar mode instability, but the stabilizing effect is not very strong. According to our analysis the critical value of the ratio of the kinetic energy to the absolute value of the gravitational potential energy $(T/|W|)_{\rm crit}$ for compaction parameter as high as 0.275 is only 30% higher than the Newtonian value. The critical value of the eccentricity depends very weakly on the degree of relativity and for $M/R=0.275$ is only 2% larger than the Newtonian value at the onset for the secular bar mode instability. We compare our numerical results with recent analytical investigations based on the post-Newtonian expansion.

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arXiv2002

Last orbits of binary black holes

Binary black hole systems in the pre-coalescence stage are numerically constructed by demanding that the associated spacetime admits a helical Killing vector. Comparison with third order post-Newtonian calculations indicates a rather good agreement until the innermost stable circular orbit.

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arXiv2001

Binary black holes in circular orbits. II. Numerical methods and first results

We present the first results from a new method for computing spacetimes representing corotating binary black holes in circular orbits. The method is based on the assumption of exact equilibrium. It uses the standard 3+1 decomposition of Einstein equations and conformal flatness approximation for the 3-metric. Contrary to previous numerical approaches to this problem, we do not solve only the constraint equations but rather a set of five equations for the lapse function, the conformal factor and the shift vector. The orbital velocity is unambiguously determined by imposing that, at infinity, the metric behaves like the Schwarzschild one, a requirement which is equivalent to the virial theorem. The numerical scheme has been implemented using multi-domain spectral methods and passed numerous tests. A sequence of corotating black holes of equal mass is calculated. Defining the sequence by requiring that the ADM mass decrease is equal to the angular momentum decrease multiplied by the orbital angular velocity, it is found that the area of the apparent horizons is constant along the sequence. We also find a turning point in the ADM mass and angular momentum curves, which may be interpreted as an innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO). The values of the global quantities at the ISCO, especially the orbital velocity, are in much better agreement with those from third post-Newtonian calculations than with those resulting from previous numerical approaches.

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arXiv2001

Equilibrium sequences of synchronized and irrotational binary systems composed of different mass stars in Newtonian gravity

We study equilibrium sequences of close binary systems on circular orbits and composed of different mass stars with polytropic equation of state in Newtonian gravity. The solving method is a multidomain spectral method which we have recently developed. The computations are performed for both cases of synchronized and irrotational binary systems with adiabatic indices $γ= 3, 2.5, 2.25, 2$ and 1.8, and for three mass ratios: $M_1/M_2 =0.5, 0.2$ and 0.1. It is found that the equilibrium sequences always terminate at a mass shedding limit (appearance of a cusp on the surface of the less massive star). For synchronized binaries, this contrasts with the equal mass case, where the sequences terminate instead by a contact configuration. Regarding the turning point of the total angular momentum (or total energy) along a sequence, we find that it is difficult to get it for small mass ratios. Indeed, we do not find any turning points for $M_1/M_2 \le 0.5$ in the irrotational case. However, in the synchronized case, it becomes easier again to find one for mass ratios much smaller than $M_1/M_2 \sim 0.2$.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Quasiequilibrium sequences of synchronized and irrotational binary neutron stars in general relativity. II. Newtonian limits

We study equilibrium sequences of close binary systems composed of identical polytropic stars in Newtonian gravity. The solving method is a multi-domain spectral method which we have recently developed. An improvement is introduced here for accurate computations of binary systems with stiff equation of state ($γ> 2$). The computations are performed for both cases of synchronized and irrotational binary systems with adiabatic indices $γ=3,~2.5,~2.25,~2$ and 1.8. It is found that the turning points of total energy along a constant-mass sequence appear only for $γ\ge 1.8$ for synchronized binary systems and $γ\ge 2.3$ for irrotational ones. In the synchronized case, the equilibrium sequences terminate by the contact between the two stars. On the other hand, for irrotational binaries, it is found that the sequences terminate at a mass shedding limit which corresponds to a detached configuration.

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arXiv1998

Relations between three formalisms for irrotational binary neutron stars in general relativity

Various formalisms proposed recently for irrotational binary systems in general relativity are compared and explicit relations between them are exhibited. It is notably shown that the formalisms of (i) Teukolsky, (ii) Shibata and (iii) Bonazzola et al. (as corrected by Asada) are equivalent, i.e. yield exactly the same solution, although the former two are simpler than the latter one.

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arXiv1998

Construction of Highly Accurate Models of Rotating Neutron Stars - Comparison of Three Different Numerical Schemes

We conduct a direct comparison of three different representative numerical codes for constructing models of rapidly rotating neutron stars in general relativity. Our aim is to evaluate the accuracy of the codes and to investigate how the accuracy is affected by the choice of interpolation, domain of integration and equation of state. In all three codes, the same physical parameters, equations of state and interpolation method are used. We construct 25 selected models for polytropic equations of state and 22 models with realistic neutron star matter equations of state. The three codes agree well with each other (typical agreement is better than 0.1% to 0.01%) for most models, except for the extreme assumption of uniform density stars. We conclude that the codes can be used for the construction of highly accurate initial data configurations for polytropes of index N > 0.5 (which typically correspond to realistic neutron stars), when the domain of integration includes all space and for realistic equations with no phase transitions. With the exception of the uniform density case, the obtained values of physical parameters for the models considered in this paper can be regarded as ``standard'' and we display them in detail for all models.

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