Gravitational Waveforms for Compact Binaries from Second-Order Self-Force Theory.

We produce gravitational waveforms for nonspinning compact binaries undergoing a quasicircular inspiral. Our approach is based on a two-timescale expansion of the Einstein equations in second-order self-force theory, which allows first-principles waveform production in tens of milliseconds. Although the approach is designed for extreme mass ratios, our waveforms agree remarkably well with those from full numerical relativity, even for comparable-mass systems. Our results will be invaluable in accurately modeling extreme-mass-ratio inspirals for the LISA mission and intermediate-mass-ratio systems currently being observed by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration.

Gravitational-Wave Energy Flux for Compact Binaries through Second Order in the Mass Ratio.

Within the framework of self-force theory, we compute the gravitational-wave energy flux through second order in the mass ratio for compact binaries in quasicircular orbits. Our results are consistent with post-Newtonian calculations in the weak field, and they agree remarkably well with numerical-relativity simulations of comparable-mass binaries in the strong field. We also find good agreement for binaries with a spinning secondary or a slowly spinning primary. Our results are key for accurately modeling extreme-mass-ratio inspirals and will be useful in modeling intermediate-mass-ratio systems.