Geodesic Models of Quasi-periodic-oscillations as Probes of Quadratic Gravity
Abstract
Future very-large-area X-ray instruments (for which the effective area is larger than > 3 m2) will be able to measure the frequencies of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in the X-ray flux from accreting compact objects with sub-percent precision. If correctly modeled, QPOs can provide a novel way to test the strong-field regime of gravity. By using the relativistic precession model and a modified version of the epicyclic resonance model, we develop a method to test general relativity against a generic class of theories with quadratic curvature corrections. With the instrumentation being studied for future missions such as eXTP, LOFT, or STROBE-X, a measurement of at least two QPO triplets from a stellar mass black hole can set stringent constraints on the coupling parameters of quadratic gravity.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- July 2017
- DOI:
- 10.3847/1538-4357/aa72e2
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1703.01472
- Bibcode:
- 2017ApJ...843...25M
- Keywords:
-
- accretion;
- accretion disks;
- black hole physics;
- gravitation;
- X-rays: binaries;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena;
- General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
- E-Print:
- Minor changes to match the version published on ApJ