Compact binary systems in scalar-tensor gravity. II. Tensor gravitational waves to second post-Newtonian order

Abstract

We derive the tensor gravitational waveform generated by a binary of nonspinning compact objects (black holes or neutron stars) in a general class of scalar-tensor theories of gravity. The waveform is accurate to second post-Newtonian order beyond the leading order quadrupole approximation. We use the direct integration of the relaxed Einstein equations formalism, appropriately adapted to scalar-tensor theories, along with previous results for the equations of motion in these theories. The self-gravity of the compact objects is treated with an approach developed by Eardley. The scalar field causes deviations from the general relativistic waveform that depend only on a small number of parameters. Among the effects of the scalar field are new hereditary terms which depend on the past history of the source. One of these, a dipole-dipole coupling, produces a zero-frequency "gravitational-wave memory" equivalent to the Christodoulou memory of general relativity. In the special case of two black holes, the waveform reduces to the general relativistic waveform. For a mixed (black hole-neutron star) system, the waveform is identical to that of Einstein's theory to first post-Newtonian order, with deviations at higher order depending only on a single parameter. The behavior in these cases matches that found for the equations of motion.