A simple estimate of gravitational wave memory in binary black hole systems

TL;DR

This paper provides a straightforward estimate of gravitational wave memory in binary black hole mergers, relating it to the total energy radiated and offering a useful check for numerical relativity simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, analytical estimate of gravitational wave memory that can be used to validate numerical relativity results.

Findings

Memory proportional to total radiated energy

Simple angular dependence of the memory

Useful as a consistency check for simulations

Abstract

A simple estimate is given of gravitational wave memory for the inspiral and merger of a binary black hole system. Here the memory is proportional to the total energy radiated and has a simple angular dependence. This estimate might be helpful as a consistency check for numerical relativity memory waveforms.