Detecting the secondary spin with extreme mass ratio inspirals in Scalar-Tensor theory

TL;DR

This paper explores how a scalar field in modified gravity enhances the detectability of secondary spins in extreme mass ratio inspirals, especially with TianQin, improving the prospects for observing these effects.

Contribution

It demonstrates that scalar fields amplify secondary spin effects in EMRIs, enabling better detection and resolution, particularly with specific mass ranges and the TianQin detector.

Findings

Scalar field increases secondary spin detectability.

Lower mass primaries improve detection prospects.

TianQin is optimal for observing these effects.

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the detectability of secondary spin in the extreme mass ratio inspirals system within a modified gravity model coupled with a scalar field. The central black hole, which reduces to a Kerr one, is circularly spiralled by a scalar-charged spinning secondary body on the equatorial plane. The analysis reveals that the presence of the scalar field amplifies the secondary spin effect, allowing for a lower limit of the detectability and an improved resolution of the secondary spin when the scalar charge is sufficiently large. Our findings suggest that the secondary spin detection is more feasible when the primary mass is not large, and TianQin is the optimal choice for detection.