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  • Open Access

Frequency contamination from new fundamental fields in black hole ringdowns

Jacopo Lestingi1, Giovanni D’Addario1,2, and Thomas P. Sotiriou1,2

  • 1Nottingham Centre of Gravity and School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
  • 2School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 064070 – Published 24 September, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/vdk4-tg61

Abstract

We revisit the modelling of black hole ringdown beyond general relativity (GR), emphasizing the limitations of approaches that rely solely on shifted quasinormal mode (QNM) frequencies. Starting from modified Teukolsky equations in such scenarios, we classify the distinct types of deviations that can arise—those shifting QNM frequencies, and those introducing additional frequencies associated with extra fields. We then construct the most general ansatz for metric perturbations in this context and discuss its implications for QNM modelling and theory-agnostic tests of GR using gravitational wave data.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 064070– Published 24 September, 2025
  • Received 13 June 2025
  • Accepted 29 August 2025
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