Angular velocity of gravitational radiation from precessing binaries and the corotating frame

Michael Boyle
Phys. Rev. D 87, 104006 – Published 3 May 2013

Abstract

This paper defines an angular velocity for time-dependent functions on the sphere and applies it to gravitational waveforms from compact binaries. Because it is geometrically meaningful and has a clear physical motivation, the angular velocity is uniquely useful in helping to solve an important—and largely ignored—problem in models of compact binaries: the inverse problem of deducing the physical parameters of a system from the gravitational waves alone. It is also used to define the corotating frame of the waveform. When decomposed in this frame, the waveform has no rotational dynamics and is therefore as slowly evolving as possible. The resulting simplifications lead to straightforward methods for accurately comparing waveforms and constructing hybrids. As formulated in this paper, the methods can be applied robustly to both precessing and nonprecessing waveforms, providing a clear, comprehensive, and consistent framework for waveform analysis. Explicit implementations of all these methods are provided in accompanying computer code.

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  • Received 28 February 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.104006

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Michael Boyle

  • Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA

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Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 10 — 15 May 2013

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