Measuring eccentricity in binary black-hole initial data

Abstract

Initial data for evolving black-hole binaries can be constructed via many techniques, and can represent a wide range of physical scenarios. However, because of the way that different schemes parameterize the physical aspects of a configuration, it is not alway clear what a given set of initial data actually represents. This is especially important for quasiequilibrium data constructed using the conformal thin-sandwich approach. Most initial-data studies have focused on identifying data sets that represent binaries in quasi-circular orbits. In this paper, we consider initial-data sets representing equal-mass black holes binaries in eccentric orbits. We will show that effective-potential techniques can be used to calibrate initial data for black-hole binaries in eccentric orbits. We will also examine several different approaches, including post-Newtonian diagnostics, for measuring the eccentricity of an orbit. Finally, we propose the use of the ``Komar-mass difference'' as a useful, invariant means of parameterizing the eccentricity of relativistic orbits.

12 pages, 11 figures, submitted to Physical Review D, revtex4

References in corpus (3)

• Filling the holes: Evolving excised binary black hole initial data with puncture techniques
• Binary black holes on a budget: Simulations using workstations
• Quasi-Local Linear Momentum in Black-Hole Binaries

Cited by in corpus (2)

• Eccentric binary black-hole mergers: The transition from inspiral to plunge in general relativity
• The spin expansion for binary black hole merger: new predictions and future directions