Coalescence Time of Compact Binary Systems

Abstract

Compact binary systems coalesce over time due to the radiation of gravitational waves, following the field equations of general relativity. Conservation of energy and angular momentum gives a mathematical description for the evolution of separation between the orbiting objects and eccentricity ($e$) of the orbit. We develop an improved analytical solution to the coalescence time for a circular binary system with an arbitrary semi-major axis, to the first post-Newtonian (1PN) accuracy. The results from the quadruple approximation and 1PN approximation are compared for a circular orbit ($e=0$).