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Authors: Latham Boyle, Michael Kesden, Samaya Nissanke

Date: 4 Sep 2007

Abstract: We regard binary black hole (BBH) merger as a map from a simple initial state (two well separated Kerr black holes, with dimensionless spins {\bf a} and {\bf b}) to a simple final state (a single Kerr black hole with mass m, dimensionless spin {\bf s}, and kick velocity {\bf k}). By Taylor expanding this map around {\bf a} = {\bf b} = 0 and systematically applying symmetry constraints, we obtain a formalism that is simple, yet remarkably successful at explaining existing BBH simulations. Our formalism also makes a host of detailed quantitative predictions for future BBH simulations, and suggests a much more efficient way of mapping out the parameter space of BBH mergers. Since we rely on symmetry rather than dynamics, our expansion remains valid through all stages of the merger (inspiral, plunge, ringdown), and hence complements previous analytical techniques like the post-Newtonian approximation.

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