Complete conservative dynamics for inspiralling compact binaries with spins at the fourth post-Newtonian order

Journal article

In this work we complete the spin-dependent conservative dynamics of inspiralling compact binaries at the fourth post-Newtonian order, and in particular the derivation of the next-to-next-to-leading order spin-squared interaction potential. We derive the physical equations of motion of the position and the spin from a direct variation of the action. Further, we derive the quadratic-in-spin Hamiltonians, as well as their expressions in the center-of-mass frame. We construct the conserved integrals of motion, which form the Poincaré algebra. This construction provided a consistency check for the validity of our result, which is crucial in particular in the current absence of another independent derivation of the next-to-next-to-leading order spin-squared interaction. Finally, we provide here the complete gauge-invariant relations among the binding energy, angular momentum, and orbital frequency of an inspiralling binary with generic compact spinning components to the fourth post-Newtonian order. These high post-Newtonian orders, in particular taking into account the spins of the binary constituents, will enable to gain more accurate information on the constituents from even more sensitive gravitational-wave detections to come.

Authors: Levi, M; Steinhoff, J

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Journal: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
• Volume: 2021
• Issue: 9
• Article number: 29
• Publication date: 2021-09-22
• Acceptance date: 2021-08-29
• DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2021/09/029
• EISSN: 1475-7516
• Language: English
• Keywords: gravitational waves; gravitational theory; gravity; GR black holes