On-shell approach to scalar hair in spinning binaries

TL;DR

This paper develops an on-shell framework for analyzing scalar hair in spinning binary systems, deriving radiation waveforms and energy emission in scalar-tensor theories with potential observational implications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel on-shell approach to spinning binaries with scalar hair, including amplitude derivation, waveform calculation, and comparison with scalar-tensor theories.

Findings

Derived scalar and gravitational radiation waveforms at leading post-Minkowskian order.

Computed energy emission in hyperbolic encounters of compact objects.

Compared results with scalar-tensor theories like scalar-Gauss-Bonnet and dynamical Chern-Simons.

Abstract

We propose an on-shell description of spinning binary systems in gravitational theories where compact objects display scalar hair. The framework involves matter particles of arbitrary spin which, in addition to the minimal coupling to gravitons, are conformally coupled to a massless scalar mediating non-standard interactions. We use the unitary factorization techniques to derive the on-shell amplitudes relevant for emission of scalars and gravitons in matter scattering, paying attention to parametrize the freedom due to contact terms. Using the KMOC formalism, these amplitudes allow one to derive succinct expressions for the radiation waveforms at the leading post-Minkowskian order, together with the associated memory effects. Furthermore, we compute the power emitted via gravitational and scalar radiation in hyperbolic encounters of compact objects. After a continuation to bound orbits, these are compared with results obtained in specific scalar-tensor theories where black holes exhibit scalar hair, such as the scalar-Gauss-Bonnet or dynamical Chern-Simons theories. Finally, we identify possible deformations from the conformal coupling that can contribute to radiation observables at the same post-Newtonian order.