Electromagnetic partner of the gravitational signal during accretion onto black holes

TL;DR

This paper explores the simultaneous generation of electromagnetic and gravitational waves during matter accretion onto a Schwarzschild black hole, revealing correlated signals with characteristic quasinormal frequencies.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of electromagnetic and gravitational radiation coupling during black hole accretion using the Teukolsky equation with charged matter sources.

Findings

Electromagnetic bursts accompany gravitational wave signals during accretion.

Both signals exhibit characteristic quasinormal mode frequencies.

The electromagnetic and gravitational signals are generated by a common source.

Abstract

We investigate the generation of electromagnetic and gravitational radiation in the vicinity of a perturbed Schwarzschild black hole. The gravitational perturbations and the electromagnetic field are studied by solving the Teukolsky master equation with sources, which we take to be locally charged, radially infalling, matter. Our results show that, in addition to the gravitational wave generated as the matter falls into the black hole, there is also a burst of electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic field has a characteristic set of quasinormal frequencies, and the gravitational radiation has the quasinormal frequencies of a Schwarzschild black hole. This scenario allows us to compare the gravitational and electromagnetic signals that are generated by a common source.