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Deriving the Separatrix for a Spinning Secondary on a Generic Kerr Orbit

ORAL

Abstract

The dynamics of a small body close to a massive black hole can be explored by identifying the location of the separatrix: the boundary in parameter space that separates stable and unstable (i.e., plunge) orbits. The separatrix is of particular importance for modeling gravitational wave emission from objects on extreme-mass-ratio inspiral trajectories. For non-spinning test masses on generic orbits, the location of the separatrix is well understood and can be expressed entirely in terms of the constants of motion of the orbits - total energy E, the z-component of the angular momentum L, and the Carter constant Q. Imparting a spin onto the test mass induces a self-force effect, pulling the particle away from geodesic motion. Here we present our study of the location of the separatrix for a spinning secondary on a fully generic orbit around a massive Kerr black hole.

Presenters

  • Benjamin M Bogner

    University of Arkansas

Authors

  • Benjamin M Bogner

    University of Arkansas

  • Kostas Glampedakis

    University of Murcia

  • Daniel Kennefick

    University of Arkansas

  • Daniel J Oliver

    Oregon State University

  • Harry O'Mara

    University of Arkansas