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Exploring the dynamics of general relativistic binary-single and binary-binary encounters of black holes

Felix M. Heinze1, Bernd Brügmann1, Tim Dietrich2,3, and Ivan Markin3

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 064068 – Published 22 September, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/2kgj-qkbn

Abstract

In this exploratory study, we demonstrate the capability of the numerical-relativity code bam to simulate fully relativistic black-hole binary-single and binary-binary encounters. While previous work has demonstrated the general capability of numerical-relativity frameworks to evolve spacetimes with N black holes, detailed explorations of such encounters remain limited. We focus on scenarios involving initially nonspinning, equal-mass black holes that result in a variety of dynamical outcomes, including flybys, delayed or accelerated eccentric mergers, exchanges, and more complex interactions. Our results show that we can reliably simulate scattering experiments involving three and four black holes, which exhibit interesting dynamics and gravitational-wave signals. The dynamics of these systems show noticeable differences compared to analogous systems in post-Newtonian approximations up to 2.5 PN. A key result is that the gravitational waveforms exhibit remarkable features that could potentially make them distinguishable from regular binary mergers.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 064068– Published 22 September, 2025
  • Received 8 May 2025
  • Accepted 25 August 2025
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