Gravitational radiation from n-body systems

Abstract

An expression for the quadrupole moment of any two-body system with structure is derived from a “paralel axes” theorem. Within the weak-field limit of the theory of general relativity, expressions for the gravitational radiation flux of energy and angular momentum from two particles or two spherically symmetric bodies in arbitrary plane motion arising from any type of forces are consequently obtained in terms of time derivatives of the relative coordinates of the system. An estimate of the gravitational flux from any plane motion follows. In particular, the flux from systems with Keplerian and straight-line motion are deduced as special cases. For the general problem of a two-body system with intrinsic quadrupole moment (due to deviation from spherical symmetry), it is found that in addition to the flux from the orbital and the spin motion there is another source of flux—the interaction flux. This is shown explicitly in two special cases—the system of a particle moving in the plane of symmetry of a Jacobi ellipsoid, and that of two spinning rigid rods in plane circular motion with parallel spin and orbital angular momentum. The interaction flux is regarded as the result of interaction of the bodies with gravitational waves. An outline of the method for the calculation of gravitational radiation flux from an n-body system is given. For a three-body system—an astrophysically interesting situation—this is worked out in detail. It is seen that the presence of an unsuspected third body can, by virtue of the interaction power term, increase the generation of gravitational waves significantly.