arXiv subjects

Gerhard Schäfer

Publications and source records attributed to Gerhard Schäfer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Fully Analytic Expression for the 2PN N-Body Hamiltonian

We present a complete analytic expression for the $N$-body Hamiltonian of nonspinning point particles at second post-Newtonian (2PN) order in the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner (ADM) gauge. Recent work reduced the general $N$-body Hamiltonian to a form containing a single unresolved integral term, which prevented a fully explicit closed-form representation. Here, we evaluate this integral analytically and thereby obtain a fully explicit closed-form expression for the general 2PN $N$-body Hamiltonian. We outline the main steps of the derivation and validate the analytic expression through direct numerical comparisons with the original integral representation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

The N-Body 2PN Hamiltonian and Numerical Integration of the Equations of Motion

To date, the second-order post-Newtonian (2PN) Hamiltonian has been known in closed analytic form only for systems of up to three point masses. In this paper, we present an analytic expression for the general $N$-body 2PN Hamiltonian in the ADM gauge up to a single integral term that, to our knowledge, has no known closed-form analytic solution. We show that the integrals appearing in the 2PN Hamiltonian can be evaluated numerically to machine precision, allowing for cross-validation against analytical results and enabling the full numerical computation of the $N$-body 2PN Hamiltonian. Furthermore, we demonstrate the practical feasibility of the numerical integration of the equations of motion for $N$ bodies at 2PN order using different methods and discuss several strategies for improving computational efficiency.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity and post-Newtonian dynamics of compact binaries

Hamiltonian formalisms provide powerful tools for the computation of approximate analytic solutions of the Einstein field equations. The post-Newtonian computations of the explicit analytic dynamics and motion of compact binaries are discussed within the most often applied Arnowitt-Deser-Misner formalism. The obtention of autonomous Hamiltonians is achieved by the transition to Routhians. Order reduction of higher derivative Hamiltonians results in standard Hamiltonians. Tetrad representation of general relativity is introduced for the tackling of compact binaries with spinning components. Compact objects are modeled by use of Dirac delta functions and their derivatives. Consistency is achieved through transition to $d$-dimensional space and application of dimensional regularization. At the fourth post-Newtonian level, tail contributions to the binding energy show up for the first time. The conservative dynamics of binary systems finds explicit presentation and discussion through the fifth post-Newtonian order for spinless masses. For masses with spin Hamiltonians are known through (next-to)$^3$-leading-order spin-orbit and spin-spin couplings as well as through next-to-leading order cubic and quartic in spin interactions. Parts of those are given explicitly. Tidal-interaction Hamiltonians are considered through (next-to)$^2$-leading post-Newtonian order. The radiation reaction dynamics is presented explicitly through the third-and-half post-Newtonian order for spinless objects, and, for spinning bodies, to leading-order in the spin-orbit and spin1-spin2 couplings. The most important historical issues get pointed out.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Conservative dynamics of two-body systems at the fourth post-Newtonian approximation of general relativity

The fourth post-Newtonian (4PN) two-body dynamics has been recently tackled by several different approaches: effective field theory, Arnowitt-Deser-Misner Hamiltonian, action-angle-Delaunay averaging, effective-one-body, gravitational self-force, first law of dynamics, and Fokker action. We review the achievements of these approaches and discuss the complementarity of their results. Our main conclusions are: (i) the results of the first complete derivation of the 4PN dynamics [T.Damour, P.Jaranowski, and G.Schäfer, Phys. Rev. D 89, 064058 (2014)] have been, piecewise, fully confirmed by several subsequent works; (ii) the results of the Delaunay-averaging technique [T.Damour, P.Jaranowski, and G.Schäfer, Phys. Rev. D 91, 084024 (2015)] have been confirmed by several independent works; and (iii) several claims in a recent Fokker-action computation [L.Bernard et al., arXiv:1512.02876v2 [gr-qc]] are incorrect, but can be corrected by the addition of a couple of ambiguity parameters linked to subtleties in the regularization of infrared and ultraviolet divergences.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Derivation of local-in-time fourth post-Newtonian ADM Hamiltonian for spinless compact binaries

The paper gives full details of the computation within the canonical formalism of Arnowitt, Deser, and Misner of the local-in-time part of the fourth post-Newtonian, i.e. of power eight in one over speed of light, conservative Hamiltonian of spinless compact binary systems. The Hamiltonian depends only on the bodies' positions and momenta. Dirac delta distributions are taken as source functions. Their full control is furnished by dimensional continuation, by means of which the occurring ultraviolet (UV) divergences are uniquely regularized. The applied near-zone expansion of the time-symmetric Green function leads to infrared (IR) divergences. Their analytic regularization results in one single ambiguity parameter. Unique fixation of it was successfully performed in T.Damour, P.Jaranowski, and G.Schäfer, Phys. Rev. D 89, 064058 (2014) through far-zone matching. Technically as well as conceptually (backscatter binding energy), the level of the Lamb shift in quantum electrodynamics is reached. In a first run a computation of all terms is performed in three-dimensional space using analytic Riesz-Hadamard regularization techniques. Then divergences are treated locally (i.e., around particles' positions for UV and in the vicinity of spatial infinity for IR divergences) by means of combined dimensional and analytic regularization. Various evolved analytic expressions are presented for the first time. The breakdown of the Leibniz rule for distributional derivatives is addressed as well as the in general nondistributive law when regularizing value of products of functions evaluated at their singular point.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Aligned Spins: Orbital Elements, Decaying Orbits, and Last Stable Circular Orbit to high post-Newtonian Orders

In this article the quasi-Keplerian parameterisation for the case that spins and orbital angular momentum in a compact binary system are aligned or anti-aligned with the orbital angular momentum vector is extended to 3PN point-mass, next-to-next-to-leading order spin-orbit, next-to-next-to-leading order spin(1)-spin(2), and next-to-leading order spin-squared dynamics in the conservative regime. In a further step, we use the expressions for the radiative multipole moments with spin to leading order linear and quadratic in both spins to compute radiation losses of the orbital binding energy and angular momentum. Orbital averaged expressions for the decay of energy and eccentricity are provided. An expression for the last stable circular orbit is given in terms of the angular velocity type variable $x$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Canonical center and relative coordinates for compact binary systems through second post-Newtonian order

Based on a recent paper by Rothe and Schäfer on compact binary systems, explicit expressions for canonical center and relative coordinates in terms of standard canonical coordinates are derived for spinless objects up to second post-Newtonian approximation of Einstein's theory of gravity. The inverse relations, i.e. the dependence of the standard canonical coordinates on the canonical center and relative coordinates, are also given up to the second post-Newtonian approximation. The famous Pythagorean-theorem-type Lorentz-invariant relation between the system's total energy or Hamiltonian squared, the rest energy or mass squared - solely depending on relative coordinates -, and the total linear momentum squared are explicitly shown through second post-Newtonian approximation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Fourth post-Newtonian effective one-body dynamics

The conservative dynamics of gravitationally interacting two-point-mass systems has been recently determined at the fourth post-Newtonian (4PN) approximation [T.Damour, P.Jaranowski, and G.Schäfer, Phys. Rev. D 89, 064058 (2014)], and found to be nonlocal in time. We show how to transcribe this dynamics within the effective one-body (EOB) formalism. To achieve this EOB transcription, we develop a new strategy involving the (infinite-)order-reduction of a nonlocal dynamics to an ordinary action-angle Hamiltonian. Our final, equivalent EOB dynamics comprises two (local) radial potentials, $A(r)$ and $\bar{D}(r)$, and a nongeodesic mass-shell contribution $Q(r,p_r)$ given by an infinite series of even powers of the radial momentum $p_r$. Using an effective action technique, we complete our 4PN-level results by deriving two different, higher-order conservative contributions linked to tail-transported hereditary effects: the 5PN-level EOB logarithmic terms, as well as the 5.5PN-level, half-integral terms. We compare our improved analytical knowledge to previous, numerical gravitational-self-force computation of precession effects.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Eccentric Motion of Spinning Compact Binaries

The equations of motion for spinning compact binaries on eccentric orbits are treated perturbatively in powers of a fractional mass-difference ordering parameter. The solution is valid through first order in the mass-difference parameter. A canonical point transformation removes the leading order terms of the spin-orbit Hamiltonian which induce a wiggling precession of the orbital angular momentum around the conserved total angular momentum, a precession which disappears in the case of equal masses or one single spin. Action-angle variables are applied which make a canonical perturbation theory easily treatable.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Nonlocal-in-time action for the fourth post-Newtonian conservative dynamics of two-body systems

We complete the analytical determination, at the 4th post-Newtonian (4PN) approximation, of the conservative dynamics of gravitationally interacting two-point-mass systems. This completion is obtained by resolving the infra-red ambiguity which had blocked a previous 4PN calculation [P.Jaranowski and G.Schäfer, Phys. Rev. D 87, 081503(R) (2013)] by taking into account the 4PN breakdown of the usual near-zone expansion due to infinite-range tail-transported temporal correlations found long ago [L.Blanchet and T.Damour, Phys. Rev. D 37, 1410 (1988)]. This leads to a Poincaré-invariant 4PN-accurate effective action for two masses, which mixes instantaneous interaction terms (described by a usual Hamiltonian) with a (time-symmetric) nonlocal-in-time interaction.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Canonical Angles In A Compact Binary Star System With Spinning Components: Approximative Solution Through Next-To-Leading-Order Spin-Orbit Interaction for Circular Orbits

This publication will deal with an explicit determination of the time evolution of the spin orientation axes and the evolution of the orbital phase in the case of circular orbits under next-to-leading order spin-orbit interactions. We modify the method of Schneider and Cui proposed in ["Theoreme über Bewegungsintegrale und ihre Anwendungen in Bahntheorien", Verlag der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, volume 212, 2005.] to iteratively remove oscillatory terms in the equations of motion for different masses that were not present in the case of equal masses. Our smallness parameter is chosen to be the difference of the symmetric mass ratio to the value 1/4. Before the first Lie transformation, the set of conserved quantities consists of the total angular momentum, the amplitudes of the orbital angular momentum and of the spins, $L, S_1,$ and $S_2$. In contrary, the magnitude of the total spin $S=|S_1+S_2|$ is not conserved and we wish to shift its non-conservation to higher orders of the smallness parameter. We perform the iterations explicitly to first order, while performing higher orders would mean no structural difference or harder mathematical difficulties. To apply this method, we develop a canonical system of spin variables reduced by the conservation law of total angular momentum, which is imposed on the phase space as a constraint. The result is an asymptotic series in $ε$ that may be truncated appropriately considering the physical properties of the regarded system.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Observables of a test-mass along an inclined orbit in a post-Newtonian approximated Kerr spacetime to leading-order-quadratic-in-spin

The orbital motion is derived for a non-spinning test-mass in the relativistic, gravitational field of a rotationally deformed body not restricted to the equatorial plane or spherical orbit. The gravitational field of the central body is represented by the Kerr metric, expanded to second post-Newtonian order including the linear and quadratic spin terms. The orbital period, the intrinsic periastron advance, and the precession of the orbital plane are derived with the aid of novel canonical variables and action-based methods.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Next-to-next-to-leading order post-Newtonian linear-in-spin binary Hamiltonians

The next-to-next-to-leading order post-Newtonian spin-orbit and spin(1)-spin(2) Hamiltonians for binary compact objects in general relativity are derived. The Arnowitt-Deser-Misner canonical formalism and its generalization to spinning compact objects in general relativity are presented and a fully reduced matter-only Hamiltonian is obtained. Several simplifications using integrations by parts are discussed. Approximate solutions to the constraints and evolution equations of motion are provided. Technical details of the integration procedures are given including an analysis of the short-range behavior of the integrands around the sources. The Hamiltonian of a test-spin moving in a stationary Kerr spacetime is obtained by rather simple approach and used to check parts of the mentioned results. Kinematical consistency checks by using the global (post-Newtonian approximate) Poincaré algebra are applied. Along the way a self-contained overview for the computation of the 3PN ADM point-mass Hamiltonian is provided, too.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Dimensional regularization of local singularities in the 4th post-Newtonian two-point-mass Hamiltonian

The article delivers the only still unknown coefficient in the 4th post-Newtonian energy expression for binary point masses on circular orbits as function of orbital angular frequency. Apart from a single coefficient, which is known solely numerically, all the coefficients are given as exact numbers. The shown Hamiltonian is presented in the center-of-mass frame and out of its 57 coefficients 51 are given fully explicitly. Those coefficients are six coefficients more than previously achieved [Jaranowski/Schäfer, Phys. Rev. D 86, 061503(R) (2012)]. The local divergences in the point-mass model are uniquely controlled by the method of dimensional regularization. As application, the last stable circular orbit is determined as function of the symmetric-mass-ratio parameter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Recent progress in spin calculations in the post-Newtonian framework and applications

Recently we derived the next-to-next-to-leading order post-Newtonian Hamiltonians at spin-orbit and spin(1)-spin(2) level for a binary system of compact objects. In this talk the derivation of them will be shortly outlined at an introductory level. We will also discuss some checks of our (complicated and long) results in the first part of the talk. In the second part we will show how to apply our results to the calculation of the last stable circular orbit of such a binary system of black holes or neutron stars.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Towards the 4th post-Newtonian Hamiltonian for two-point-mass systems

The article presents the conservative dynamics of gravitationally interacting two-point-mass systems up to the eight order in the inverse power of the velocity of light, i.e.\ 4th post-Newtonian (4PN) order, and up to quadratic order in Newton's gravitational constant. Additionally, all logarithmic terms at the 4PN order are given as well as terms describing the test-mass limit. With the aid of the Poincaré algebra additional terms are obtained. The dynamics is presented in form of an autonomous Hamiltonian derived within the formalism of Arnowitt, Deser and Misner. Out of the 57 different terms of the 4PN Hamiltonian in the center-of-mass frame, the coefficients of 45 of them are derived. Reduction of the obtained results to circular orbits is performed resulting in the 4PN-accurate formula for energy expressed in terms of angular frequency in which two coefficients are obtained for the first time.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Biphasic flow: structure and upscaling, consequences on macroscopic transport properties

In disordered porous media, two-phase flow of immiscible fluids (biphasic flow) is organized in patterns that sometimes exhibit fractal geometries over a range of length scales, depending on the capillary, gravitational and viscous forces at play. These forces, as well as the boundary conditions, also determine whether the flow leads to the appearance of fingering pathways, i.e., unstable flow, or not. We present here a short review of these aspects, focusing on drainage and summarizing when these flows are expected to be stable or not, what fractal dimensions can be expected, and in which range of scales. We base our review on experimental studies performed in two-dimensional Hele-Shaw cells, or addressing three dimensional porous media by use of several imaging techniques. We first present configurations in which solely capillary forces and gravity play a role. Next, we review configurations in which capillarity and viscosity are the main forces at play. Eventually, we examine how the microscopic geometry of the fluid clusters affects the macroscopic transport properties. An example of such an upscaling is illustrated in detail: For air invasion in a mono-layer glass-bead cell, the fractal dimension of the flow structures and the associated scale-ranges, are shown to depend on the displacement velocity. This controls the relationship between saturation and the pressure difference between the two phases at the macroscopic scale. We provide in this case expressions for dynamic capillary pressure and residual fluid phase saturations.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2012

Higher-order-in-spin interaction Hamiltonians for binary black holes from source terms of Kerr geometry in approximate ADM coordinates

The Kerr metric outside the ergosphere is transformed into ADM coordinates up to the orders $1/r^4$ and $a^2$, respectively in radial coordinate $r$ and reduced angular momentum variable $a$, starting from the Kerr solution in quasi-isotropic as well as harmonic coordinates. The distributional source terms for the approximate solution are calculated. To leading order in linear momenta, higher-order-in-spin interaction Hamiltonians for black-hole binaries are derived.

gr-qc↗