Perturbation method in the assessment of radiation reaction in the capture of stars by black holes

Abstract

This work deals with the motion of a radially falling star in Schwarzschild geometry and correctly identifies radiation reaction terms by the perturbative method. The results are: (i) identification of all terms up to first order in perturbations, second in trajectory deviation, and mixed terms including lowest order radiation reaction terms; (ii) renormalization of all divergent terms by the ζ Riemann and Hurwitz functions. The work implements a method previously identified by one of the authors and corrects some current misconceptions and results.