General Relativistic Dynamics of Compact Binary Systems
Abstract
Description
The equations of motion of compact binary systems have been derived in the post-Newtonian (PN) approximation of general relativity. The current level of accuracy is 3.5PN order. The conservative part of the equations of motion (neglecting the radiation reaction damping terms) is deducible from a generalized Lagrangian in harmonic coordinates, or equivalently from an ordinary Hamiltonian in ADM coordinates. As an application we investigate the problem of the dynamical stability of circular binary orbits against gravitational perturbations up to the 3PN order. We find that there is no innermost stable circular orbit or ISCO at the 3PN order for equal masses.
13 pages, to appear in the special issue of the Comptes rendus de l'Academie des Sciences de Paris on "Observations of black holes and extreme gravitational events", edited by Daniel Rouan
13 pages, to appear in the special issue of the Comptes rendus de l'Academie des Sciences de Paris on "Observations of black holes and extreme gravitational events", edited by Daniel Rouan