Vol. 17 (2014) > lrr-2014-2

doi: 10.12942/lrr-2014-2
Living Rev. Relativity 17 (2014), 2

Gravitational Radiation from Post-Newtonian Sources and Inspiralling Compact Binaries

1 Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, 98bis boulevard Arago, 75014 Paris, France

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Article Abstract

To be observed and analyzed by the network of gravitational wave detectors on ground (LIGO, VIRGO, etc.) and by the future detectors in space (eLISA, etc.), inspiralling compact binaries -- binary star systems composed of neutron stars and/or black holes in their late stage of evolution -- require high-accuracy templates predicted by general relativity theory. The gravitational waves emitted by these very relativistic systems can be accurately modelled using a high-order post-Newtonian gravitational wave generation formalism. In this article, we present the current state of the art on post-Newtonian methods as applied to the dynamics and gravitational radiation of general matter sources (including the radiation reaction back onto the source) and inspiralling compact binaries. We describe the post-Newtonian equations of motion of compact binaries and the associated Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, paying attention to the self-field regularizations at work in the calculations. Several notions of innermost circular orbits are discussed. We estimate the accuracy of the post-Newtonian approximation and make a comparison with numerical computations of the gravitational self-force for compact binaries in the small mass ratio limit. The gravitational waveform and energy flux are obtained to high post-Newtonian order and the binary's orbital phase evolution is deduced from an energy balance argument. Some landmark results are given in the case of eccentric compact binaries -- moving on quasi-elliptical orbits with non-negligible eccentricity. The spins of the two black holes play an important role in the definition of the gravitational wave templates. We investigate their imprint on the equations of motion and gravitational wave phasing up to high post-Newtonian order (restricting to spin-orbit effects which are linear in spins), and analyze the post-Newtonian spin precession equations as well as the induced precession of the orbital plane.

Keywords: Gravitational radiation, Inspiralling compact binary, Multipolar expansion, Post-Newtonian approximations

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Since a Living Reviews in Relativity article may evolve over time, please cite the access <date>, which uniquely identifies the version of the article you are referring to:

Luc Blanchet,
"Gravitational Radiation from Post-Newtonian Sources and Inspiralling Compact Binaries",
Living Rev. Relativity 17,  (2014),  2. URL (cited on <date>):
http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-2014-2

Article History

ORIGINAL http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-2002-3
Title Gravitational Radiation from Post-Newtonian Sources and Inspiralling Compact Binaries
Author Luc Blanchet
Date accepted 1 February 2002, published 30 April 2002
FAST-TRACK REVISION  
Date accepted 6 June 2005, published 27 June 2005
Changes For detailed description see here .
UPDATE http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-2006-4
Title Gravitational Radiation from Post-Newtonian Sources and Inspiralling Compact Binaries
Author Luc Blanchet
Date accepted 16 May 2006, published 1 June 2006
Changes Updated article and added 65 references. Included new sections 5.5, 8.3, 8.4, 9.4, 9.5, and 9.6.
UPDATE http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-2014-2
Title Gravitational Radiation from Post-Newtonian Sources and Inspiralling Compact Binaries
Author Luc Blanchet
Date accepted 27 January 2014, published 13 February 2014
Changes Major revision, updated and expanded. About 180 new references.
FAST-TRACK REVISION  
Date accepted 16 February 2016, published 16 February 2016
Changes Minor update. Added 12 new references. Added a discussion on 4PN equations of motion. For detailed description see here .
FAST-TRACK REVISION  
Date accepted 12 January 2016, published 15 January 2016
Changes Minor update. Added 13 new references. More accurate quotations on spins. Minor improvements in wording. Added new PN subdominant gravitational-wave modes and SF comparisons. For detailed description see here .
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