Tests of General Relativity using black hole X-ray data

Abstract

The theory of General Relativity has successfully passed a large number of observational tests. The theory has been extensively tested in the weak-field regime with experiments in the Solar System and observations of binary pulsars. Recently, there have seen significant advancements in the study of the strong-field regime, which can now be tested with gravitational waves, X-ray data, and mm Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations. Here we summarize the state-of-the-art of the tests of General Relativity with black hole X-ray data, discussing its recent progress and future developments.

arXiv comment37 pages, 8 figures. Invited chapter for the "Handbook of X-ray and Gamma-ray Astrophysics" (Eds. C. Bambi and A. Santangelo, Springer Singapore, expected in 2022)

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