Self force on a scalar charge in Kerr spacetime: inclined circular orbits

TL;DR

This paper calculates the scalar-field self-force on a particle in inclined circular orbits around a Kerr black hole using frequency-domain methods, providing benchmarks for future self-force computations in Kerr spacetime.

Contribution

It presents a novel frequency-domain calculation of the scalar self-force for inclined circular orbits in Kerr spacetime, including mode-sum regularization for all force components.

Findings

Results for strong-field orbits serve as benchmarks.

Demonstrates application of mode-sum regularization in Kerr.

Provides detailed self-force calculations for inclined orbits.

Abstract

Accurately modeling astrophysical extreme-mass-ratio-insprials requires calculating the gravitational self-force for orbits in Kerr spacetime. The necessary calculation techniques are typically very complex and, consequently, toy scalar-field models are often developed in order to establish a particular calculational approach. To that end, I present a calculation of the scalar-field self-force for a particle moving on a (fixed) inclined circular geodesic of a background Kerr black hole. I make the calculation in the frequency-domain and demonstrate how to apply the mode-sum regularization procedure to all four components of the self-force. I present results for a number of strong-field orbits which can be used as benchmarks for emerging self-force calculation techniques in Kerr spacetime.