On a Transformation of Teukolsky's Equation and the Electromagnetic Perturbations of the Kerr Black Hole
Abstract
Teukolsky's equation, governing the perturbations (scalar, electromagnetic, and gravitational) of the Kerr black hole, is transformed, by a simple change of variables, in a manner such that there is formally no difference in the treatments of the axisymmetric and the non-axisymmetric modes: the role of 'm' is effectively eliminated. By considering in detail the case of electromagnetic perturbations we show how, in all cases, the problems can be reduced to problems in the theory of penetration of one dimensional potential barriers with, however, certain novel features. The phenomenon of super-radiance, peculiar to the Kerr metric, emerges, for example, in an unexpected guise. The case of scalar perturbations is considered briefly in an appendix.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series A
- Pub Date:
- February 1976
- DOI:
- 10.1098/rspa.1976.0022
- Bibcode:
- 1976RSPSA.348...39C
- Keywords:
-
- Astrophysics;
- Black Holes (Astronomy);
- Electromagnetic Fields;
- Kerr Effects;
- Metric Space;
- Perturbation Theory;
- Complex Variables;
- Electromagnetic Wave Transmission;
- Gravitational Fields;
- Potential Fields;
- Scalars;
- Transformations (Mathematics);
- Astrophysics;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- BLACK HOLES (ASTRONOMY);
- ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS;
- KERR EFFECTS;
- METRIC SPACE;
- PERTURBATION THEORY;
- COMPLEX VARIABLES;
- ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE TRANSMISSION;
- GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS;
- POTENTIAL FIELDS;
- SCALARS;
- TRANSFORMATIONS (MATHEMATICS)