Connecting quasi-normal modes with causality in Lovelock theories of gravity

TL;DR

This paper investigates the relationship between quasi-normal modes and causality in higher-dimensional Lovelock gravity, clarifying when the eikonal correspondence holds and its connection to the causal structure of the theory.

Contribution

It establishes a link between eikonal quasi-normal modes and the causal properties of Lovelock gravity, clarifying the conditions under which the QNM-geodesic correspondence applies.

Findings

Revisits the QNM-geodesic correspondence in Lovelock theories.

Links QNMs to the causal structure of gravitational field equations.

Clarifies when the eikonal correspondence holds in higher dimensions.

Abstract

The eikonal correspondence between the quasi-normal modes (QNMs) of asymptotically flat static spherically symmetric black holes and the properties of unstable null circular geodesics is studied in the case of higher dimensional Lovelock black holes (BHs). It is known that such correspondence does not generically hold for gravitational QNMs associated with BHs in Lovelock theories. In the present work, we revisit this correspondence and establish the relationship between the eikonal QNMs and the causal properties of the gravitational field equations in Lovelock theories of gravity.