Black Hole Spectroscopy: from a mathematical problem to an observational reality

by Gregorio Carullo (TPI, FSU Jena)

Friday 28 Jan 2022, 16:00 → 17:00 Europe/Berlin

Zoom (TPI, FSU Jena)

Gravitational waves observations from the LIGO-Virgo interferometers are providing increasingly precise constraints on the properties of black holes. Dynamical processes involving such compact objects also represent engines of discovery for new particles and modifications of the Einstein-Hilbert action. First, the state of the art of black holes ringdown spectra observations will be reviewed. Next, we will show how requiring stringent, yet well-motivated, perturbative parametrisations of beyond-General Relativity effects, allows to extract strong observational constraints on large classes of alternative theories of gravity. Finally, we will discuss a search for a U(1) charge in the post-merger signal of binary black hole coalescences observed by LIGO and Virgo, and future detection prospects enabled by planned instrumental upgrades. Besides from a “standard” electric charge, this “third hair”can be also identified with a hidden electromagnetic charge in models of minicharged dark matter, the vector charge in theories mediated by a gravitational vector field or a topologically induced charge.