Abstract
The linear-order effects of radiation-reaction on the classical scattering of two point masses, in general relativity, are derived by a variation-of-constants method. Explicit expressions for the radiation-reaction contributions to the changes of 4-momentum during scattering are given to linear order in the radiative losses of energy, linear-momentum, and angular momentum. The polynomial dependence on the masses of the 4-momentum changes is shown to lead to nontrivial identities relating the various radiative losses. At order our results lead to a streamlined classical derivation of results recently derived within a quantum approach. At order we compute the needed radiative losses to next-to-next-to-leading-order in the post-Newtonian expansion, thereby reaching the absolute fourth and a half post-Newtonian level of accuracy in the 4-momentum changes. We also provide explicit expressions, at the absolute sixth post-Newtonian accuracy, for the radiation-graviton contribution to conservative scattering. At orders and we derive explicit theoretical expressions for the last two hitherto undetermined parameters describing the fifth-post-Newtonian dynamics. Our results at the fifth-post-Newtonian level confirm results of [Nucl. Phys. B965, 115352 (2021)] but exhibit some disagreements with results of [Phys. Rev. D 101, 064033 (2020)].
- Received 22 July 2021
- Accepted 1 September 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.104.084031
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