Linear and Nonlinear Dynamics of Relativistic Tori

Abstract

I present results of two-dimensional general relativistic hydrodynamical simulations of constant specific angular momentum tori orbiting around a Schwarzschild black hole. After introducing axisymmetric perturbations, these objects either become unstable to the runaway instability or respond with regular oscillations. The latter, in particular, are responsible for quasi-periodic bursts of accretion onto the black hole as well as for the emission of intense gravitational radiation, with signal-to-noise ratios at the detector which are comparable or even larger than the typical ones expected in stellar-core collapse.