Ultrarelativistic black-hole encounters

Abstract

A method is given for investigating the ultrarelativistic encounter of two black holes which complements the usual low-speed approximation. It depends on the fact that the ultrarelativistic limit of a moving Schwarzschild black hole is a certain plane-fronted impulsive gravitational wave. This enables linearized theory on a curved background to be used. The solution is obtained, with the help of generalized function techniques, to the first order in the background energy, and the radiation pattern at conformal null infinity is examined. The whole approach has a strong connection with the theory of twistors.