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Scalar-field perturbations from a particle orbiting a black hole using numerical evolution in 2+1 dimensions

Scalar-field perturbations from a particle orbiting a black hole using numerical evolution in 2+1 dimensions
Scalar-field perturbations from a particle orbiting a black hole using numerical evolution in 2+1 dimensions
We present a new technique for time-domain numerical evolution of the scalar field generated by a pointlike scalar charge orbiting a black hole. Time-domain evolution offers an efficient way for calculating black hole perturbations, especially as input for computations of the local self force acting on orbiting particles. In Kerr geometry, the field equations are not fully separable in the time domain, and one has to tackle them in 2+1 dimensions (two spatial dimensions and time; the azimuthal dependence is still separable). A technical difficulty arises when the source of the field is a pointlike particle, as the a 2+1-dimensional perturbation is then singular: Each of the azimuthal modes diverges logarithmically at the particle. To deal with this problem we split the numerical domain into two regions: Inside a thin worldtube surrounding the particle's worldline we solve for a regularized variable, obtained from the full field by subtracting out a suitable "puncture'' function, given analytically. Outside this worldtube we solve for the full, original field. The value of the evolution variable is adjusted across the boundary of the worldtube. In this work we demonstrate the applicability of this method in the example of circular orbits around a Schwarzschild black hole (refraining from exploiting the spherical symmetry of the background, and working in 2+1 dimensions).
1550-7998
Barack, L.
f08e66d4-c2f7-4f2f-91b8-f2c4230d0298
Golbourn, D.A.
630cbb97-0fff-411e-bc9b-3bdb305db39a
Barack, L.
f08e66d4-c2f7-4f2f-91b8-f2c4230d0298
Golbourn, D.A.
630cbb97-0fff-411e-bc9b-3bdb305db39a

Barack, L. and Golbourn, D.A. (2007) Scalar-field perturbations from a particle orbiting a black hole using numerical evolution in 2+1 dimensions. Physical Review D, 76 (44020).

Record type: Article

Abstract

We present a new technique for time-domain numerical evolution of the scalar field generated by a pointlike scalar charge orbiting a black hole. Time-domain evolution offers an efficient way for calculating black hole perturbations, especially as input for computations of the local self force acting on orbiting particles. In Kerr geometry, the field equations are not fully separable in the time domain, and one has to tackle them in 2+1 dimensions (two spatial dimensions and time; the azimuthal dependence is still separable). A technical difficulty arises when the source of the field is a pointlike particle, as the a 2+1-dimensional perturbation is then singular: Each of the azimuthal modes diverges logarithmically at the particle. To deal with this problem we split the numerical domain into two regions: Inside a thin worldtube surrounding the particle's worldline we solve for a regularized variable, obtained from the full field by subtracting out a suitable "puncture'' function, given analytically. Outside this worldtube we solve for the full, original field. The value of the evolution variable is adjusted across the boundary of the worldtube. In this work we demonstrate the applicability of this method in the example of circular orbits around a Schwarzschild black hole (refraining from exploiting the spherical symmetry of the background, and working in 2+1 dimensions).

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Published date: 2007

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 46323
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/46323
ISSN: 1550-7998
PURE UUID: c67d0042-01aa-4d9e-bd8f-ff7ec09b0b28
ORCID for L. Barack: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4742-9413

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Date deposited: 13 Jun 2007
Last modified: 28 Jun 2022 01:40

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Contributors

Author: L. Barack ORCID iD
Author: D.A. Golbourn

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