Within the framework of self-force theory, we compute the gravitational-wave energy flux through second order in the mass ratio for compact binaries in quasicircular orbits. Our results are consistent with post-Newtonian calculations in the weak field and they agree remarkably well with numerical-relativity simulations of comparable-mass binaries in the strong field. We also find good agreement for binaries with a spinning secondary or a slowly spinning primary. Our results are key for accurately modelling extreme-mass-ratio inspirals and will be useful in modelling intermediate-mass-ratio systems.
@article{arxiv.2107.01298,
title = {Gravitational-wave energy flux for compact binaries through second order in the mass ratio},
author = {Niels Warburton and Adam Pound and Barry Wardell and Jeremy Miller and Leanne Durkan},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2107.01298},
year = {2021}
}
Comments
5 pages + supplemental material, 7 figures; Updated to reflect published version