arXiv subjects

Gaurav Khanna

Publications and source records attributed to Gaurav Khanna.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Eccentric binary black hole surrogate models for the gravitational waveform and remnant properties: comparable mass, nonspinning case

We develop new strategies to build numerical relativity surrogate models for eccentric binary black hole systems, which are expected to play an increasingly important role in current and future gravitational-wave detectors. We introduce a new surrogate waveform model, \texttt{NRSur2dq1Ecc}, using 47 nonspinning, equal-mass waveforms with eccentricities up to $0.2$ when measured at a reference time of $5500M$ before merger. This is the first waveform model that is directly trained on eccentric numerical relativity simulations and does not require that the binary circularizes before merger. The model includes the $(2,2)$, $(3,2)$, and $(4,4)$ spin-weighted spherical harmonic modes. We also build a final black hole model, \texttt{NRSur2dq1EccRemnant}, which models the mass, and spin of the remnant black hole. We show that our waveform model can accurately predict numerical relativity waveforms with mismatches $\approx 10^{-3}$, while the remnant model can recover the final mass and dimensionless spin with absolute errors smaller than $\approx 5 \times 10^{-4}M$ and $\approx 2 \times10^{-3}$ respectively. We demonstrate that the waveform model can also recover subtle effects like mode-mixing in the ringdown signal without any special ad-hoc modeling steps. Finally, we show that despite being trained only on equal-mass binaries, \texttt{NRSur2dq1Ecc} can be reasonably extended up to mass ratio $q\approx3$ with mismatches $\simeq 10^{-2}$ for eccentricities smaller than $\sim 0.05$ as measured at a reference time of $2000M$ before merger. The methods developed here should prove useful in the building of future eccentric surrogate models over larger regions of the parameter space.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

A GPU-accelerated mixed-precision WENO method for extremal black hole and gravitational wave physics computations

We develop and use a novel mixed-precision weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) method for solving the Teukolsky equation, which arises when modeling perturbations of Kerr black holes. We show that WENO methods outperform higher-order finite-difference methods, standard in the discretization of the Teukolsky equation, due to the need to add dissipation for stability purposes in the latter. In particular, as the WENO scheme uses no additional dissipation it is well-suited for scenarios requiring long-time evolution such as the study of Price tails and gravitational wave emission from extreme mass ratio binaries. In the mixed-precision approach, the expensive computation of the WENO weights is performed in reduced floating-point precision that results in a significant speedup factor of 3.3. In addition, we use state-of-the-art Nvidia general-purpose graphics processing units and cluster parallelism to further accelerate the WENO computations. Our optimized WENO solver can be used to quickly generate accurate results of significance in the field of black hole and gravitational wave physics. We apply our solver to study the behavior of the Aretakis charge -- a conserved quantity, that if detected by a gravitational wave observatory like LIGO/Virgo would prove the existence of extremal black holes.

math.NA↗

arXiv2020

Climbing up the memory staircase: Equatorial zoom-whirl orbits

The nonlinear, or null gravitational memory effect for zoom-whirl orbits around fast spinning Kerr black holes for extreme mass ratio systems has a staircase structure. The latter is characterized by a periodic fast increase in the memory during the whirl phases of the orbit, and near constant levels when the orbit is near apoapsis. We study the contribution of different spherical harmonic modes to this effect, and discuss the relative importance thereof. Because the hereditary memory effect increases in magnitude linearly in the number of periapsis passages on a dynamical time scale, while the oscillatory parent gravitational waves are sourced by an orbit that evolves on a much longer radiation reaction time scale, the magnitude of the former relative to the latter increases with time. We also consider orphan memory and the memory effect for extreme mass ratio inspirals. We then discuss the prospect of detection with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA).

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Scalar and gravitational hair for extreme Kerr black holes

For scalar perturbations of an extreme Reissner-Nordstr{\" o}m black hole we show numerically that the Ori pre-factor equals the Aretakis conserved charge. We demonstrate a linear relation of a generalized Ori pre-factor -- a certain expression obtained from the late-time expansion or the perturbation field at finite distances -- and the Aretakis conserved charge for a family of scalar or gravitational perturbations of an extreme Kerr black hole, whose members vary only in the radial location of the center of the initial packet. We infer that it can be established that there is an Aretakis conserved charge for scalar or gravitational perturbations of extreme Kerr black holes. This conclusion, in addition to the calculation of the Aretakis charge, can be made from measurements at a finite distance: Extreme Kerr black holes have gravitational hair that can be measured at finite distances. This gravitational hair can in principle be detected by gravitational-wave detectors.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

A Surrogate Model for Gravitational Wave Signals from Comparable- to Large- Mass-Ratio Black Hole Binaries

Gravitational wave signals from compact astrophysical sources such as those observed by LIGO and Virgo require a high-accuracy, theory-based waveform model for the analysis of the recorded signal. Current inspiral-merger-ringdown models are calibrated only up to moderate mass ratios, thereby limiting their applicability to signals from high-mass ratio binary systems. We present EMRISur1dq1e4, a reduced-order surrogate model for gravitational waveforms of 13,500M in duration and including several harmonic modes for non-spinning black hole binary systems with mass-ratios varying from 3 to 10,000 thus vastly expanding the parameter range beyond the current models. This surrogate model is trained on waveform data generated by point-particle black hole perturbation theory (ppBHPT) both for large mass-ratio and comparable mass-ratio binaries. We observe that the gravitational waveforms generated through a simple application of ppBHPT to the comparable mass-ratio cases agree remarkably (and surprisingly) well with those from full numerical relativity after a rescaling of the ppBHPT's total mass parameter. This observation and the EMRISur1dq1e4 surrogate model will enable data analysis studies in the high-mass ratio regime, including potential intermediate mass-ratio signals from LIGO/Virgo and extreme-mass ratio events of interest to the future space-based observatory LISA.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Space-Time Collocation Method: Loop Quantum Hamiltonian Constraints

A space-time collocation method (STCM) using asymptotically-constant basis functions is proposed and applied to the quantum Hamiltonian constraint for a loop-quantized treatment of the Schwarzschild interior. Canonically, these descriptions take the form of a partial-difference equation (PDE). The space-time collocation approach presents a computationally efficient, convergent, and easily parallelizable method for solving this class of equations, which is the main novelty of this study. Results of the numerical simulations will demonstrate the benefit from a parallel computing approach; and show general flexibility of the framework to handle arbitrarily-sized domains. Computed solutions will be compared, when applicable, to a solution computed in the conventional method via iteratively stepping through a predefined grid of discrete values, computing the solution via a recursive relationship.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2019

Exciting black hole modes via misaligned coalescences: II. The mode content of late-time coalescence waveforms

Using inspiral and plunge trajectories we construct with a generalized Ori-Thorne algorithm, we use a time-domain black hole perturbation theory code to compute the corresponding gravitational waves. The last cycles of these waveforms are a superposition of Kerr quasinormal modes. In this paper, we examine how the modes' excitations vary as a function of source parameters, such as the larger black hole's spin and the geometry of the smaller body's inspiral and plunge. We find that the mixture of quasinormal modes that characterize the final gravitational waves from a coalescence is entirely determined by the spin $a$ of the larger black hole, an angle $I$ which characterizes the misalignment of the orbital plane from the black hole's spin axis, a second angle $θ_{\rm fin}$ which describes the location at which the small body crosses the black hole's event horizon, and the direction sgn$(\dotθ_{\rm fin})$ of the body's final motion. If these large-mass-ratio results hold at less extreme mass ratios, then measuring multiple ringdown modes of binary black hole coalescence gravitational waves may provide important information about the source's binary properties, such as the misalignment of the orbit's angular momentum with black hole spin. This may be particularly useful for large mass binaries, for which the early inspiral waves are out of the detectors' most sensitive band.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Learning about black hole binaries from their ringdown spectra

The coalescence of two black holes generates gravitational waves that carry detailed information about the properties of those black holes and their binary configuration. The final coalescence cycles are in the form of a {\it ringdown}: a superposition of quasi-normal modes of the merged remnant black hole. Each mode has an oscillation frequency and decay time that in general relativity is determined by the remnant's mass and spin. Measuring the frequency and decay time of multiple modes makes it possible to measure the remnant's mass and spin, and to test the waves against the predictions of gravity theories. In this {\it Letter}, we show that the relative amplitudes of these modes encodes information about a binary's {\it geometry}. Focusing on the large mass-ratio limit, which provides a simple-to-use tool for effectively exploring parameter space, we demonstrate how a binary's geometry is encoded in the relative amplitudes of these modes, and how to parameterize the modes in this limit. Although more work is needed to assess how well this carries over to less extreme mass ratios, our results indicate that measuring multiple ringdown modes from coalescence may aid in measuring important source properties, such as the misalignment of its members' spins and orbit.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

(Transient) Scalar Hair for (Nearly) Extreme Black Holes

It has been shown recently that extreme Reissner-Nordström black holes perturbed by a minimally coupled, free, massless scalar field have permanent scalar hair. The hair - a conserved charge calculated at the black hole's event horizon - can be measured by a certain expression at future null infinity: the latter approaches the hair inversely in time. We generalize this newly discovered hair also for extreme Kerr black holes. We study the behavior of nearly extreme black hole hair and its measurement at future null infinity as a transient phenomenon. For nearly extreme black holes the measurement at future null infinity of the length of the newly grown hair decreases quadratically in time at intermediate times until its length becomes short and the rate at which the length shortens further slows down. Eventually, the nearly extreme BH becomes bald again like non-extreme BHs.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Repeated Ringing of the Black Hole's Bell: Quasi-Normal Bursts from Highly Eccentric, Extreme Mass-Ratio Binaries

Recent studies of scalar and gravitational waveforms from high-eccentricity, extreme mass-ratio black hole binaries show the presence of quasi-normal bursts (QNB) -- lingering high frequency decaying oscillations (also known as ``wiggles'') -- soon after each periapsis passage. One puzzle associated with these QNB is that in the case of a nearly-extreme rotating central black hole the frequency of the QNB has been found to be in a range which is lower than the corresponding range of relevant quasi-normal modes. We reproduce these results using a different approach and perform a detailed analysis to find evidence for the resolution of the puzzle and for the origin of the QNB. We find that the QNB frequency as measured at future null infinity evolves in (retarded) time and approaches the dominant quasi-normal frequency exponentially in time. We also show that the QNB amplitude decays inversely in (retarded) time. We discuss the time dependence of both the QNB waveform frequency and its amplitude and argue that this behavior arises as a result of the excitation of many quasi-normal overtones and the summation thereof.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Basis Function Method for Numerical Loop Quantum Cosmology: The Schwarzschild Black Hole Interior

Loop quantum cosmology is a symmetry-reduced application of loop quantum gravity that has led to the resolution of classical singularities such as the big bang, and those at the center of black holes. This can be seen through numerical simulations involving the quantum Hamiltonian constraint that is a partial difference equation. The equation allows one to study the evolution of sharply-peaked Gaussian wave packets that generically exhibit a quantum "bounce" or a non-singular passage through the classical singularity, thus offering complete singularity resolution. In addition, von-Neumann stability analysis of the difference equation -- treated as a stencil for a numerical solution that steps through the triad variables -- yields useful constraints on the model and the allowed space of states. In this paper, we develop a new method for the numerical solution of loop quantum cosmology models using a set of basis functions that offer a number of advantages over computing a solution by stepping through the triad variables. We use the Corichi and Singh model for the Schwarzschild interior as the main case study in this effort. The main advantage of this new method is computational efficiency and the ease of parallelization. In addition, we also discuss how the stability analysis appears in the context of this new approach.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Overcoming Limitations of GPGPU-Computing in Scientific Applications

The performance of discrete general purpose graphics processing units (GPGPUs) has been improving at a rapid pace. The PCIe interconnect that controls the communication of data between the system host memory and the GPU has not improved as quickly, leaving a gap in performance due to GPU downtime while waiting for PCIe data transfer. In this article, we explore two alternatives to the limited PCIe bandwidth, NVIDIA NVLink interconnect, and zero-copy algorithms for shared memory Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA) devices. The OpenCL SHOC benchmark suite is used to measure the performance of each device on various scientific application kernels.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2019

The Marolf-Ori singularity inside fast spinning black holes

The effective shock wave singularity at the outgoing leg of the inner horizon of a linearly perturbed fast spinning black hole is studied numerically for either scalar field, or vacuum, gravitational perturbations. We demonstrate the occurrence of the Marolf-Ori singularity, including changes of order unity in the scalar field $ϕ$ for the scalar field model, and in the Weyl scalars $ψ_0$ and $ψ_4$ (rescaled appropriately by the horizon function $Δ$) and the Kretschmann curvature scalar $K$ for the vacuum, gravitational perturbations model for both null and timelike geodesic observers. We quantify the shock sharpening effect and show that in all cases its rate agrees with expectations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Physical objects approaching the Cauchy horizon of a rapidly rotating Kerr black hole

We solve the 2+1-dimensional Teukolsky equation numerically for the Weyl scalars $ψ_0$ and $ψ_4$ along a time-like geodesic approaching the Cauchy horizon of a rapidly rotating perturbed Kerr black hole. We find that both the amplitude and frequency of the Weyl scalars agree with the results of linear perturbation analysis. We then model a physical object by a simple damped harmonic oscillator, which is driven by an external force that mimics the tidal force experienced by the infalling object. We use this model to find the total deformation of the object at the Cauchy horizon, and the resonant effect when the driving force's frequency matches the internal frequency of the oscillator that models the object.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Closed Timelike Curves and "Effective" Superluminal Travel with Naked Line Singularities

We examine closed timelike curves (CTCs) and "effective" superluminal travel in a spacetime containing naked line singularities, which we call "wires". Each wire may be straight-line singularity or a ring singularity. The Weak Energy Condition (WEC) is preserved in all well-defined regions of the spacetime. (The singularities themselves are not well-defined, so the WEC is undefined there, but it is never explicitly violated.) Parallel to the wire, "effective" superluminal travel is possible, in that the wire may be used as a shortcut between distant regions of spacetime. Our purpose in presenting the superluminal aspects of the wire is to dispel the commonly held view that explicit WEC violation is necessary for effective superluminal travel, whereas in truth the strictures against superluminal travel are more complicated. We also demonstrate how the existence of such "wires" could create CTCs. We present a model spacetime which contains two wires which are free to move relative to each other. This spacetime is asymptotically flat: It becomes a Minkowski spacetime a finite distance away from each of the wires. The CTCs under investigation do not need to enter the wires' singularities, and can be confined to regions that are weak-field: This means that if these wires were physically possible, they would present causality problems even in nonsingular, energetically realistic regions of the spacetime. We conclude that the Weak Energy Condition alone is not sufficient to prevent superluminal travel in asymptotically flat spacetimes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

A morphology-independent data analysis method for detecting and characterizing gravitational wave echoes

The ability to directly detect gravitational waves has enabled us to empirically probe the nature of ultra-compact relativistic objects. Several alternatives to the black holes of classical general relativity have been proposed which do not have a horizon, in which case a newly formed object (e.g. as a result of binary merger) may emit echoes: bursts of gravitational radiation with varying amplitude and duration, but arriving at regular time intervals. Unlike in previous template-based approaches, we present a morphology-independent search method to find echoes in the data from gravitational wave detectors, based on a decomposition of the signal in terms of generalized wavelets consisting of multiple sine-Gaussians. The ability of the method to discriminate between echoes and instrumental noise is assessed by inserting into the noise two different signals: a train of sine-Gaussians, and an echoing signal from an extreme mass-ratio inspiral of a particle into a Schwarzschild vacuum spacetime, with reflective boundary conditions close to the horizon. We find that both types of signals are detectable for plausible signal-to-noise ratios in existing detectors and their near-future upgrades. Finally, we show how the algorithm can provide a characterization of the echoes in terms of the time between successive bursts, and damping and widening from one echo to the next.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Von-Neumann Stability and Singularity Resolution in Loop Quantized Schwarzschild Black Hole

Though loop quantization of several spacetimes has exhibited existence of a bounce via an explicit evolution of states using numerical simulations, the question about the way central singularity is resolved in the black hole interior has remained open. The quantum Hamiltonian constraint in loop quantization turns out to be a finite difference equation whose stability is important to understand to gain insights on the viability of the underlying quantization and resulting physical implications. We take first steps towards addressing these issues for a loop quantization of the Schwarzschild interior recently given by Corichi and Singh. Von-Neumann stability analysis is performed using separability of solutions as well as a full two dimensional quantum difference equation. This results in a stability condition for black holes which have a very large mass compared to the Planck mass. For black holes of smaller masses evidence of numerical instability is found. In addition, stability analysis for macroscopic black holes leads to a constraint on the choice of the allowed states in numerical evolution. With the caveat of using kinematical norm, sharply peaked Gaussian states are evolved using the quantum difference equation and singularity resolution is obtained. A bounce is found for one of the triad variables, but for the other triad variable singularity resolution amounts to a non-singular passage through the zero volume. States are found to be peaked at the classical trajectory for a long time before and after the singularity resolution, and retain their semi-classical character across the zero volume. Our main result is that quantum bounce occurs in loop quantized Schwarzschild interior at least for macroscopic black holes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Cauchy-horizon singularity inside perturbed Kerr black holes

The Cauchy horizon inside a perturbed Kerr black hole develops an instability that transforms it into a curvature singularity. We solve for the linearized Weyl scalars $ψ_0$ and $ψ_4$ and for the curvature scalar $R_{αβγδ}R^{αβγδ}$ along outgoing null rays approaching the Cauchy horizon in the interior of perturbed Kerr black holes using the Teukolsky equation, and compare our results with those found in perturbation analysis. Our results corroborate the previous perturbation analysis result that at its early parts the Cauchy horizon evolves into a deformationally-weak, null, scalar-curvature singularity. We find excellent agreement for $ψ_0(u={\rm const},v)$, where $u,v$ are advanced and retarded times, respectively. We do find, however, that the exponential growth rate of $R_{αβγδ}R^{αβγδ}(u={\rm const},v)$ approaching the singularity is dramatically slower than that found in perturbation analysis, and that the angular frequency is in excellent agreement.

gr-qc↗