Spin-induced dynamical scalarization, descalarization, and stealthness in scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity during a black hole coalescence

Abstract

Particular couplings between a scalar field and the Gauss-Bonnet invariant lead to spontaneous scalarization of black holes. Here we continue our work on simulating this phenomenon in the context of binary black hole systems. We consider a negative coupling for which the black-hole spin plays a major role in the scalarization process. We find two main phenomena: (i) dynamical descalarization, in which initially scalarized black holes form an unscalarized remnant, and (ii) dynamical scalarization, whereby the late merger of initially unscalarized black holes can cause scalar hair to grow. An important consequence of the latter case is that modifications to the gravitational waveform due to the scalar field may only occur post-merger, as its presence is hidden during the entirety of the inspiral. However, with a sufficiently strong coupling, we find that scalarization can occur before the remnant has even formed. We close with a discussion of observational implications for gravitational-wave tests of general relativity.