Approximate Waveforms for Extreme-Mass-Ratio Inspirals: The Chimera Scheme

TL;DR

The paper introduces the Chimera scheme, a hybrid approximation method combining multiple techniques in General Relativity to model extreme-mass-ratio inspirals and their gravitational waves, aiding future gravitational-wave detection.

Contribution

It presents a novel hybrid scheme that integrates post-Minkowskian, post-Newtonian, and black hole perturbation theories for EMRI modeling.

Findings

Provides a new method for EMRI waveform modeling.

Applicable to systems with extreme to intermediate mass ratios.

Useful for future space-based and ground gravitational-wave detectors.

Abstract

We describe a new kludge scheme to model the dynamics of generic extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs; stellar compact objects spiraling into a spinning supermassive black hole) and their gravitational-wave emission. The Chimera scheme is a hybrid method that combines tools from different approximation techniques in General Relativity: (i) A multipolar, post-Minkowskian expansion for the far-zone metric perturbation (the gravitational waveforms) and for the local prescription of the self-force; (ii) a post-Newtonian expansion for the computation of the multipole moments in terms of the trajectories; and (iii) a BH perturbation theory expansion when treating the trajectories as a sequence of self-adjusting Kerr geodesics. The EMRI trajectory is made out of Kerr geodesic fragments joined via the method of osculating elements as dictated by the multipolar post-Minkowskian radiation-reaction prescription. We implemented the proper coordinate mapping between Boyer-Lindquist coordinates, associated with the Kerr geodesics, and harmonic coordinates, associated with the multipolar post-Minkowskian decomposition. The Chimera scheme is thus a combination of approximations that can be used to model generic inspirals of systems with extreme to intermediate mass ratios, and hence, it can provide valuable information for future space-based gravitational-wave observatories, like LISA, and even for advanced ground detectors. The local character in time of our multipolar post-Minkowskian self-force makes this scheme amenable to study the possible appearance of transient resonances in generic inspirals.