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General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology, gr-qc
Abstract:
The behavior of quasi-local black hole horizons in a binary black hole merger
is studied numerically. We compute the horizon multipole moments, fluxes and
other quantities on black hole horizons throughout the merger. These lead to a
better qualitative and quantitative understanding of the coalescence of two
black holes; how the final black hole is formed, initially grows and then
settles down to a Kerr black hole. We calculate the rate at which the final
black hole approaches equilibrium in a fully non-perturbative situation and
identify a time at which the linear ringdown phase begins. Finally, we provide
additional support for the conjecture that fields at the horizon are correlated
with fields in the wave-zone by comparing the in-falling gravitational wave
flux at the horizon to the outgoing flux as estimated from the gravitational
waveform.