Finite-Size Effects On The Self-Force

TL;DR

This paper investigates how finite-size effects influence the tail-induced self-force in electromagnetic and gravitational radiation, revealing new insights into the propagation and interaction of signals in curved spacetimes.

Contribution

It provides novel calculations of tail-induced self-force considering the internal structure of bodies in curved spacetime, extending previous models.

Findings

Finite-size effects modify the tail-induced self-force.

Internal structure impacts the self-force calculations.

Results apply to scalar, electromagnetic, and gravitational cases.

Abstract

Electromagnetic and linear gravitational radiation do not solely propagate on the null cone in 3+1 dimensions in curved spacetimes, contrary to their well-known behavior in flat spacetime. Their additional propagation inside the null cone is known as the tail effect. A compact body will produce a signal whose tail will interact with its future worldline, thus producing a tail-induced self-force. We present new results for the tail-induced scalar, electromagnetic and gravitational self-force for a test mass in orbit around a central mass, including effects from the internal structure of that body.