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Jan Steinhoff

Publications and source records attributed to Jan Steinhoff.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Energetics and scattering of gravitational two-body systems at fourth post-Minkowskian order

Upcoming observational runs of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration, and future gravitational-wave (GW) detectors on the ground and in space, require waveform models more accurate than currently available. High-precision waveform models can be developed by improving the analytical description of compact binary dynamics and completing it with numerical-relativity (NR) information. Here, we assess the accuracy of the recent results for the fourth post-Minkowskian (PM) conservative dynamics through comparisons with NR simulations for the circular-orbit binding energy and for the scattering angle. We obtain that the 4PM dynamics gives better agreement with NR than the 3PM dynamics, and that while the 4PM approximation gives comparable results to the third post-Newtonian (PN) approximation for bound orbits, it performs better for scattering encounters. Furthermore, we incorporate the 4PM results in effective-one-body (EOB) Hamiltonians, which improves the disagreement with NR over the 4PM-expanded Hamiltonian from $\sim 40\%$ to $\sim 10\%$, or $\sim 3\%$ depending on the EOB gauge, for an equal-mass binary, two GW cycles before merger. Finally, we derive a 4PN-EOB Hamiltonian for hyperbolic orbits, and compare its predictions for the scattering angle to NR, and to the scattering angle of a 4PN-EOB Hamiltonian computed for elliptic orbits.

gr-qc↗

Gravitational Spin-Orbit Hamiltonian at NNNLO in the post-Newtonian framework

We present the result of the spin-orbit interaction Hamiltonian for binary systems of rotating compact objects with generic spins, up to NNNLO corrections within the post-Newtonian expansion. The calculation is performed by employing the effective field theory diagrammatic approach, and it involves Feynman integrals up to three loops, evaluated within the dimensional regularization scheme. We apply canonical transformations to eliminate the non-physical divergences and spurious logarithmic behaviours of the Hamiltonian, and use the latter to derive the gauge-invariant binding energy and the scattering angle, in special kinematic regimes.

hep-th↗

A tight universal relation between the shape eccentricity and the moment of inertia for rotating neutron stars

Universal relations that are insensitive to the equation of state (EoS) are useful in reducing the parameter space when measuring global quantities of neutron stars (NSs). In this paper, we reveal a new universal relation that connects the eccentricity to the radius and moment of inertia of rotating NSs. We demonstrate that the universality of this relation holds for both conventional NSs and bare quark stars (QSs) in the slow rotation approximation, albeit with different relations. The maximum relative deviation is approximately $1\%$ for conventional NSs and $0.1\%$ for QSs. Additionally, we show that the universality still exists for fast-rotating NSs if we use the dimensionless spin to characterize their rotation. The new universal relation will be a valuable tool to reduce the number of parameters used to describe the shape and multipoles of rotating NSs, and it may also be used to infer the eccentricity or moment of inertia of NSs in future X-ray observations.

astro-ph.HE↗

Spin supplementary condition in quantum field theory: covariant SSC and physical state projection

The spin supplementary conditions are constraints on spin degrees of freedom in classical relativity which restricts physical degrees of freedom to rotations. It is argued that the equivalent constraints in quantum field theory are the projection conditions on polarisation tensors, which remove timelike/longitudinal polarisations from the physical spectrum. The claim is supported by three examples of massive spinning particles coupled to electromagnetism: Dirac and Proca fields in quantum field theory, and $\mathcal{N} = 1$ worldline QFT for classical worldline theory. This suggests a resolution to the apparent discrepancy between effective field theory description of massive higher-spin fields~\cite{Bern:2020buy,Bern:2022kto} and post-Newtonian effective field theory of spinning classical particles~\cite{Levi:2015msa}, where the former admits more unfixed parameters compared to the latter; the additional parameters are fixed by projection conditions and therefore are not tunable parameters.

hep-th↗

Effect of dynamical gravitomagnetic tides on measurability of tidal parameters for binary neutron stars using gravitational waves

Gravitational waves (GWs) from binary neutron stars (NSs) have opened unique opportunities to constrain the nuclear equation of state by measuring tidal effects associated with the excitation of characteristic modes of the NSs. This includes gravitomagnetic modes associated with the Coriolis effect, whose frequencies are proportional to the NS's spin frequency, and for which the spin orientation determines the subclass of modes that are predominantly excited. We advance the GW models for these effects that are needed for data analysis by first developing a description for the adiabatic signatures from gravitomagnetic modes in slowly rotating NSs. We show that they can be encapsulated in an effective Love number which differs before and after a mode resonance. Combining this with a known generic model for abrupt changes in the GWs at the mode resonance and a point-mass baseline leads to an efficient description which we use to perform case studies of the impacts of gravitomagnetic effects for measurements with Cosmic Explorer, an envisioned next-generation GW detector. We quantify the extent to which neglecting (including) the effect of gravitomagnetic modes induces biases (significantly reduces statistical errors) in the measured tidal deformability parameters, which depend on the equation of state. Our results substantiate the importance of dynamical gravitomagnetic tidal effects for measurements with third generation detectors.

gr-qc↗

Modeling horizon absorption in spinning binary black holes using effective worldline theory

The mass and spin of black holes (BHs) in binary systems may change due to the infall of gravitational-wave (GW) energy down the horizons. For spinning BHs, this effect enters at 2.5 post-Newtonian (PN) order relative to the leading-order energy flux at infinity. There is currently a discrepancy in the literature in the expressions of these horizon fluxes in the test-body limit at 4PN order (relative 1.5PN order). Here, we model the horizon absorption as tidal heating in an effective worldline theory of a spinning particle equipped with tidally-induced quadrupole and octupole moments. We match the tidal response to analytic solutions of the Teukolsky equation in a scattering scenario, and obtain general formulae for the evolution of mass and spin. We then specialize to the case of aligned-spin--quasi-circular binaries, obtaining the corresponding contributions to the GW phasing through 4PN order. Importantly, we find that the number of GW cycles due to horizon fluxes with masses observed by LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detectors is about 2-3 orders of magnitude smaller than the other contributions to the phasing at the same PN order. Furthermore, in the test-body limit, we find full agreement with results obtained earlier from BH perturbation theory, with a small mass in an equatorial circular orbit treated as a source perturbing the Kerr metric. Thus, we weigh in on one side of the previous discrepancy.

gr-qc↗

Effective-action model for dynamical scalarization beyond the adiabatic approximation

In certain scalar-field extensions to general relativity, scalar charges can develop on compact objects in an inspiraling binary -- an effect known as dynamical scalarization. This effect can be modeled using effective-field-theory methods applied to the binary within the post-Newtonian approximation. Past analytic investigations focused on the adiabatic (or quasi-stationary) case for quasi-circular orbits. In this work, we explore the full dynamical evolution around the phase transition to the scalarized regime. This allows for generic (eccentric) orbits and to quantify nonadiabatic (e.g., oscillatory) behavior during the phase transition. We also find that even in the circular-orbit case, the onset of scalarization can only be predicted reliably when taking the full dynamics into account, i.e., the adiabatic approximation is not appropriate. Our results pave the way for accurate post-Newtonian predictions for dynamical scalarization effects in gravitational waves from compact binaries.

gr-qc↗

Tidal response from scattering and the role of analytic continuation

The tidal response of a compact object is a key gravitational-wave observable encoding information about its interior. This link is subtle due to the nonlinearities of general relativity. We show that considering a scattering process bypasses challenges with potential ambiguities, as the tidal response is determined by the asymptotic in- and outgoing waves at null infinity. As an application of the general method, we analyze scalar waves scattering off a nonspinning black hole and demonstrate that the low-frequency expansion of the tidal response reproduces known results for the Love number and absorption. In addition, we discuss the definition of the response based on gauge-invariant observables obtained from an effective action description, and clarify the role of analytic continuation for robustly (i) extracting the response and the physical information it contains, and (ii) distinguishing high-order post-Newtonian corrections from finite-size effects in a binary system. Our work is important for interpreting upcoming gravitational-wave data for subatomic physics of ultradense matter in neutron stars, probing black holes and gravity, and looking for beyond-standard-model fields.

gr-qc↗

Gravitational Quadratic-in-Spin Hamiltonian at NNNLO in the post-Newtonian framework

We present the result of the quadratic-in-spin interaction Hamiltonian for binary systems of rotating compact objects with generic spins, up to NNNLO corrections within the post-Newtonian expansion. The calculation is performed by employing the effective field theory diagrammatic approach, and it involves Feynman integrals up to three loops, evaluated within the dimensional regularization scheme. The gauge-invariant binding energy and the scattering angle, in special kinematic regimes and spin configurations, are explicitly derived. The results extend our earlier study on the spin-orbit interaction effects.

hep-th↗

Tests of General Relativity with Gravitational-Wave Observations using a Flexible--Theory-Independent Method

We perform tests of General Relativity (GR) with gravitational waves (GWs) from the inspiral stage of compact binaries using a theory-independent framework, which adds generic phase corrections to each multipole of a GR waveform model in frequency domain. This method has been demonstrated on LIGO-Virgo observations to provide stringent constraints on post-Newtonian predictions of the inspiral and to assess systematic biases that may arise in such parameterized tests. Here, we detail the anatomy of our framework for aligned-spin waveform models. We explore the effects of higher modes in the underlying signal on tests of GR through analyses of two unequal-mass, simulated binary signals similar to GW190412 and GW190814. We show that the inclusion of higher modes improves both the precision and the accuracy of the measurement of the deviation parameters. Our testing framework also allows us to vary the underlying baseline GR waveform model and the frequency at which the non-GR inspiral corrections are tapered off. We find that to optimize the GR test of high-mass binaries, comprehensive studies would need to be done to determine the best choice of the tapering frequency as a function of the binary's properties. We also carry out an analysis on the binary neutron-star event GW170817 to set bounds on the coupling constant $α_0$ of Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke gravity. We take two plausible approaches; in the first \emph{theory-agnostic} approach we find a bound $α_0 \lesssim 2\times 10^{-1}$ from measuring the dipole-radiation for different neutron-star equations of state, while in the second \emph{theory-specific} approach we obtain $α_0 \lesssim 4\times 10^{-1}$, both at $68\%$ credible level. These differences arise mainly due to different statistical hypotheses used for the analysis.

gr-qc↗

SUSY in the Sky with Gravitons

Picture yourself in the wave zone of a gravitational scattering event of two massive, spinning compact bodies (black holes, neutron stars or stars). We show that this system of genuine astrophysical interest enjoys a hidden $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetry, at least to the order of spin-squared (quadrupole) interactions in arbitrary $D$ spacetime dimensions. Using the ${\mathcal N}=2$ supersymmetric worldline action, augmented by finite-size corrections for the non-Kerr black hole case, we build a quadratic-in-spin extension to the worldline quantum field theory (WQFT) formalism introduced in our previous work, and calculate the two bodies' deflection and spin kick to sub-leading order in the post-Minkowskian expansion in Newton's constant $G$. For spins aligned to the normal vector of the scattering plane we also obtain the scattering angle. All $D$-dimensional observables are derived from an eikonal phase given as the free energy of the WQFT, that is invariant under the $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetry transformations.

hep-th↗

Gravitational Bremsstrahlung and Hidden Supersymmetry of Spinning Bodies

The recently established formalism of a worldline quantum field theory, which describes the classical scattering of massive bodies in Einstein gravity, is generalized up to quadratic order in spin -- for a pair of Kerr black holes revealing a hidden ${\mathcal N}=2$ supersymmetry. The far-field time-domain waveform of the gravitational waves produced in such a spinning encounter is computed at leading order in the post-Minkowskian (weak field, but generic velocity) expansion, and exhibits this supersymmetry. From the waveform we extract the leading-order total radiated angular momentum in a generic reference frame, and the total radiated energy in the center-of-mass frame to leading order in a low-velocity approximation.

hep-th↗

Complete conservative dynamics for inspiralling compact binaries with spins at the fourth post-Newtonian order

In this work we complete the spin-dependent conservative dynamics of inspiralling compact binaries at the fourth post-Newtonian order, and in particular the derivation of the next-to-next-to-leading order spin-squared interaction potential. We derive the physical equations of motion of the position and the spin from a direct variation of the action. Further, we derive the quadratic-in-spin Hamiltonians, as well as their expressions in the center-of-mass frame. We construct the conserved integrals of motion, which form the Poincaré algebra. This construction provided a consistency check for the validity of our result, which is crucial in particular in the current absence of another independent derivation of the next-to-next-to-leading order spin-squared interaction. Finally, we provide here the complete gauge-invariant relations among the binding energy, angular momentum, and orbital frequency of an inspiralling binary with generic compact spinning components to the fourth post-Newtonian order. These high post-Newtonian orders, in particular taking into account the spins of the binary constituents, will enable to gain more accurate information on the constituents from even more sensitive gravitational-wave detections to come.

gr-qc↗

Conservative and radiative dynamics in classical relativistic scattering and bound systems

As recent work continues to demonstrate, the study of relativistic scattering processes leads to valuable insights and computational tools applicable to the relativistic bound-orbit two-body problem. This is particularly relevant in the post-Minkowskian approach to the gravitational two-body problem, where the field has only recently reached a full description of certain physical observables for scattering orbits, including radiative effects, at the third post-Minkowskian (3PM) order. As an historically instructive simpler example, we consider here the analogous problem in electromagnetism in flat spacetime. We compute for the first time the changes in linear momentum of each particle and the total radiated linear momentum, in the relativistic classical scattering of two point-charges, at sixth order in the charges (analogous to 3PM order in gravity). We accomplish this here via direct iteration of the classical equations of motion, while making comparisons where possible to results from quantum scattering amplitudes, with the aim of contributing to the elucidation of conceptual issues and scalability on both sides. We also discuss further extensions to radiative quantities of recently established relations which analytically continue certain observables from the scattering regime to the regime of bound orbits, applicable for both the electromagnetic and gravitational cases.

gr-qc↗

High-accuracy simulations of highly spinning binary neutron star systems

With an increasing number of expected gravitational-wave detections of binary neutron star mergers, it is essential that gravitational-wave models employed for the analysis of observational data are able to describe generic compact binary systems. This includes systems in which the individual neutron stars are millisecond pulsars for which spin effects become essential. In this work, we perform numerical-relativity simulations of binary neutron stars with aligned and anti-aligned spins within a range of dimensionless spins of $χ\sim [-0.28,0.58]$. The simulations are performed with multiple resolutions, show a clear convergence order and, consequently, can be used to test existing waveform approximants. We find that for very high spins gravitational-wave models that have been employed for the interpretation of GW170817 and GW190425 are not capable of describing our numerical-relativity dataset. We verify through a full parameter estimation study in which clear biases in the estimate of the tidal deformability and effective spin are present. We hope that in preparation of the next gravitational-wave observing run of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors our new set of numerical-relativity data can be used to support future developments of new gravitational-wave models.

gr-qc↗

Radiation-reaction force and multipolar waveforms for eccentric, spin-aligned binaries in the effective-one-body formalism

While most binary inspirals are expected to have circularized before they enter the LIGO/Virgo frequency band, a small fraction of those binaries could have non-negligible orbital eccentricity depending on their formation channel. Hence, it is important to accurately model eccentricity effects in waveform models used to detect those binaries, infer their properties, and shed light on their astrophysical environment. We develop a multipolar effective-one-body (EOB) eccentric waveform model for compact binaries whose components have spins aligned or anti-aligned with the orbital angular momentum. The waveform model contains eccentricity effects in the radiation-reaction force and gravitational modes through second post-Newtonian (PN) order, including tail effects, and spin-orbit and spin-spin couplings. We recast the PN-expanded, eccentric radiation-reaction force and modes in factorized form so that the newly derived terms can be directly included in the state-of-the-art, quasi-circular--orbit EOB model currently used in LIGO/Virgo analyses (i.e., the SEOBNRv4HM model).

gr-qc↗

Canonical Hamiltonian for an extended test body in curved spacetime: To quadratic order in spin

We derive a Hamiltonian for an extended spinning test body in a curved background spacetime, to quadratic order in the spin, in terms of three-dimensional position, momentum, and spin variables having canonical Poisson brackets. This requires a careful analysis of how changes of the spin supplementary condition are related to shifts of the body's representative worldline and transformations of the body's multipole moments, and we employ bitensor calculus for a precise framing of this analysis. We apply the result to the case of the Kerr spacetime and thereby compute an explicit canonical Hamiltonian for the test-body limit of the spinning two-body problem in general relativity, valid for generic orbits and spin orientations, to quadratic order in the test spin. This fully relativistic Hamiltonian is then expanded in post-Newtonian orders and in powers of the Kerr spin parameter, allowing comparisons with the test-mass limits of available post-Newtonian results. Both the fully relativistic Hamiltonian and the results of its expansion can inform the construction of waveform models, especially effective-one-body models, for the analysis of gravitational waves from compact binaries.

gr-qc↗

Classical Gravitational Bremsstrahlung from a Worldline Quantum Field Theory

Using the recently established formalism of a worldline quantum field theory (WQFT) description of the classical scattering of two spinless black holes, we compute the far-field time-domain waveform of the gravitational waves produced in the encounter at leading order in the post-Minkowskian (weak field, but generic velocity) expansion. We reproduce previous results of Kovacs and Thorne in a highly economic way. Then using the waveform we extract the leading-order total radiated angular momentum and energy (including differential results). Our work may enable crucial improvements of gravitational-wave predictions in the regime of large relative velocities.

gr-qc↗