Gravitational Wavetrains in the Quasi-Equilibrium Approximation:
A Model Problem in Scalar Gravitation
Hwei-Jang Yo
Thomas Baumgarte
Stuart L. Shapiro
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
ABSTRACT
We recently developed a quasi-equilibrium (QE) computational scheme in general relativity to calculate the complete gravitational wavetrain emitted during the inspiral phase of compact binaries. The QE method exploits the fact that the gravitational radiation inspiral timescale is much longer than the orbital period everywhere outside the ISCO. Here we demonstrate the validity and advantages of the QE scheme by solving a model problem in relativistic scalar gravitation theory. By adopting scalar gravitation, we are able to numerically track without approximation the damping of a simple, quasi-periodic radiating system (an oscillating spherical matter shell) to final equilibrium, and then use the exact numerical results to calibrate the QE approximation method. In particular, we calculate the emitted gravitational wavetrain three different ways: by integrating the exact coupled dynamical field and matter equations, by using the scalar-wave monopole approximation formula (corresponding to the quadrupole formula in general relativity), and by adopting the QE scheme. We find that the monopole formula works well for weak field cases, but fails when the fields become moderately strong. By contrast, the QE scheme remains quite reliable for moderately strong fields and begins to break down only for ultra-strong fields. The QE scheme thus provides a promising technique to construct the complete wavetrain from binary inspiral outside the ISCO, where the gravitational fields are strong, but where the computational resourses required to follow the system for more than a few orbits by direct numerical integration of the exact equations are prohibitive.
Scientific visualization by
Harish Agarwal
Eric Engelhard
Kevin Huffenberger
Patrick McGrath
Jared Mehl
David Webber
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
last updated 7 June 01 by rlc