Last orbits of binary black holes

TL;DR

This paper constructs models of binary black holes in the final orbits before merging using numerical methods and compares these models with post-Newtonian calculations, finding good agreement until the innermost stable orbit.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical construction of binary black hole systems with helical symmetry and compares it with post-Newtonian results, highlighting their agreement.

Findings

Good agreement with post-Newtonian calculations until the innermost stable orbit

Numerical models successfully represent pre-coalescence binary black holes

Helical Killing vector approach effectively captures the system's spacetime

Abstract

Binary black hole systems in the pre-coalescence stage are numerically constructed by demanding that the associated spacetime admits a helical Killing vector. Comparison with third order post-Newtonian calculations indicates a rather good agreement until the innermost stable circular orbit.