Tidal Deformations of Compact Bodies in General Relativity

Date

2014-07-29

Authors

Landry, Philippe

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

In Newtonian gravity, the tidal deformability of an astronomical body is measured by its tidal Love numbers, dimensionless coupling constants which depend on the body's composition. The gravitational Love numbers characterize the body's response to the tidal field through the change in its gravitational potential; the surficial Love numbers do likewise through the deformation of its surface. The gravitational Love numbers were promoted to a relativistic setting by Damour and Nagar, and Binnington and Poisson. We present an improved computational procedure for calculating them, and place bounds on the gravitational Love numbers of perfect fluid bodies. We also provide a covariant definition of relativistic surficial Love numbers, develop a unified theory of surface deformations for material bodies and black holes, and derive a simple relation between the gravitational and surficial Love numbers in general relativity. Additionally, we formulate a theory of Newtonian tides in higher dimensions.

Description

Keywords

Gravity, General Relativity, Newtonian Gravity, Tides, Tidal Deformations, Black Holes, Neutron Stars, Love Numbers, Compact Bodies, Higher Dimensional

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