hide
Free keywords:
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, gr-qc
Abstract:
We study the ability of the advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave
Observatory (aLIGO) to detect apparent violations of the cosmic censorship
conjecture and the no-hair theorem. The cosmic censorship conjecture, which is
believed to be true in the theory of general relativity, limits the
spin-to-mass-squared ratio of a Kerr black hole. The no-hair theorem, which is
also believed to be true in the theory of general relativity, suggests a
particular value for the tidal Love number of a non-rotating black hole. Using
the Fisher matrix formalism, we examine the measurability of the spin and tidal
deformability of compact binary systems involving at least one putative black
hole. Using parameter measurement errors and correlations obtained from the
Fisher matrix, we determine the smallest detectable violation of bounds implied
by the cosmic censorship conjecture and the no-hair theorem. We examine the
effect of excluding unphysical areas of parameter space when determining the
smallest detectable apparent violations, and we examine the effect of different
post-Newtonian corrections to the amplitude of the compact binary coalescence
gravitational waveform. In addition, we perform a brief study of how the
recently calculated 3.0 pN and 3.5 pN spin-orbit corrections to the phase
affect spin and mass parameter measurability. We find that physical priors on
the symmetric mass ratio and higher harmonics in the gravitational waveform
could significantly affect the ability of aLIGO to investigate cosmic
censorship and the no-hair theorem for certain systems.