Highly accurate calculation of rotating neutron stars: Detailed description of the numerical methods

We give a detailed description of the recently developed multi-domain spectral method for constructing highly accurate general-relativistic models of rapidly rotating stars. For both "ordinary" and "critical" configurations, it is exhibited by means of representative examples, how the accuracy improves as the order of the approximation increases. Apart from homogeneous fluid bodies, we also discuss models of polytropic and strange stars.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures, 9 tables, version accepted by A&

Universal properties of distorted Kerr-Newman black holes

We discuss universal properties of axisymmetric and stationary configurations consisting of a central black hole and surrounding matter in Einstein-Maxwell theory. In particular, we find that certain physical equations and inequalities (involving angular momentum, electric charge and horizon area) are not restricted to the Kerr-Newman solution but can be generalized to the situation where the black hole is distorted by an arbitrary axisymmetric and stationary surrounding matter distribution.Comment: 7 page

Equilibrium Configurations of Homogeneous Fluids in General Relativity

By means of a highly accurate, multi-domain, pseudo-spectral method, we investigate the solution space of uniformly rotating, homogeneous and axisymmetric relativistic fluid bodies. It turns out that this space can be divided up into classes of solutions. In this paper, we present two new classes including relativistic core-ring and two-ring solutions. Combining our knowledge of the first four classes with post-Newtonian results and the Newtonian portion of the first ten classes, we present the qualitative behaviour of the entire relativistic solution space. The Newtonian disc limit can only be reached by going through infinitely many of the aforementioned classes. Only once this limiting process has been consummated, can one proceed again into the relativistic regime and arrive at the analytically known relativistic disc of dust.Comment: 8 pages, colour figures, v3: minor additions including one reference, accepted by MNRA

A single-domain spectral method for black hole puncture data

We calculate puncture initial data corresponding to both single and binary black hole solutions of the constraint equations by means of a pseudo-spectral method applied in a single spatial domain. Introducing appropriate coordinates, these methods exhibit rapid convergence of the conformal factor and lead to highly accurate solutions. As an application we investigate small mass ratios of binary black holes and compare these with the corresponding test mass limit that we obtain through a semi-analytical limiting procedure. In particular, we compare the binding energy of puncture data in this limit with that of a test particle in the Schwarzschild spacetime and find that it deviates by 50% from the Schwarzschild result at the innermost stable circular orbit of Schwarzschild, if the ADM mass at each puncture is used to define the local black hole masses.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures; published version with one important change, see Fig. 4 and the corresponding changes to the tex

Black Holes Surrounded by Uniformly Rotating Rings

Highly accurate numerical solutions to the problem of Black Holes surrounded by uniformly rotating rings in axially symmetric, stationary spacetimes are presented. The numerical methods developed to handle the problem are discussed in some detail. Related Newtonian problems are described and numerical results provided, which show that configurations can reach an inner mass-shedding limit as the mass of the central object increases. Exemplary results for the full relativistic problem for rings of constant density are given and the deformation of the event horizon due to the presence of the ring is demonstrated. Finally, we provide an example of a system for which the angular momentum of the central Black Hole divided by the square of its mass exceeds one.Comment: 12 pages, 14 figures, revtex, v4: minor changes, Eq. (17) corrected, corresponds to version in PR

Non-existence of stationary two-black-hole configurations

We resume former discussions of the question, whether the spin-spin repulsion and the gravitational attraction of two aligned black holes can balance each other. To answer the question we formulate a boundary value problem for two separate (Killing-) horizons and apply the inverse (scattering) method to solve it. Making use of results of Manko, Ruiz and Sanabria-G\'omez and a novel black hole criterion, we prove the non-existence of the equilibrium situation in question.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures; Contribution to Juergen Ehlers Memorial Issue (GeRG journal

Relativistic Dyson Rings and Their Black Hole Limit

In this Letter we investigate uniformly rotating, homogeneous and axisymmetric relativistic fluid bodies with a toroidal shape. The corresponding field equations are solved by means of a multi-domain spectral method, which yields highly accurate numerical solutions. For a prescribed, sufficiently large ratio of inner to outer coordinate radius, the toroids exhibit a continuous transition to the extreme Kerr black hole. Otherwise, the most relativistic configuration rotates at the mass-shedding limit. For a given mass-density, there seems to be no bound to the gravitational mass as one approaches the black-hole limit and a radius ratio of unity.Comment: 13 pages, 1 table, 5 figures, v2: some discussion and two references added, accepted for publication in Astrophys. J. Let

Source integrals of asymptotic multipole moments

We derive source integrals for multipole moments that describe the behaviour of static and axially symmetric spacetimes close to spatial infinity. We assume isolated non-singular sources but will not restrict the matter content otherwise. Some future applications of these source integrals of the asymptotic multipole moments are outlined as well.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, contribution to the proceedings of the conference "Relativity and Gravitation - 100 Years after Einstein in Prague", June 25-29, 2012, Pragu

Dirichlet Boundary Value Problems of the Ernst Equation

We demonstrate how the solution to an exterior Dirichlet boundary value problem of the axisymmetric, stationary Einstein equations can be found in terms of generalized solutions of the Backlund type. The proof that this generalization procedure is valid is given, which also proves conjectures about earlier representations of the gravitational field corresponding to rotating disks of dust in terms of Backlund type solutions.Comment: 22 pages, to appear in Phys. Rev. D, Correction of a misprint in equation (4

Gravitational waves from Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals in non-pure Kerr spacetimes

To investigate the imprint on the gravitational-wave emission from extreme mass-ratio inspirals in non-pure Kerr spacetimes, we have studied the ``kludge'' waveforms generated in highly-accurate, numerically-generated spacetimes containing a black hole and a self-gravitating, homogeneous torus with comparable mass and spin. In order to maximize their impact on the produced waveforms, we have considered tori that are compact, massive and close to the central black hole, investigating under what conditions the LISA experiment could detect their presence. Our results show that for a large portion of the space of parameters the waveforms produced by EMRIs in these black hole-torus systems are indistinguishable from pure-Kerr waveforms. Hence, a ``confusion problem'' will be present for observations carried out over a timescale below or comparable to the dephasing time.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures. Short discussion on the accuracy of the spacetimes added, typos corrected. Accepted for publication in PR