Near and far zones in two-body dynamics: An effective field theory perspective

We revisit several aspects of the interaction of self-gravitating, slowly varying sources with their own emitted radiation within the context of post-Newtonian approximation to General Relativity. We discuss and clarify the choice of boundary conditions of the Green's functions used to determine conservative potentials and the interplay between the so-called near and far zones as well as the relation between far-zone ultraviolet divergences and emitted power. Both near- and far-zone contributions are required for the computation of the conservative dynamics. Within a field-theory approach, we rederive far-zone self-energy processes, known as tail and memory effects, generalizing the calculation of their divergent part to arbitrary order in the post-Newtonian expansion and at second order in the Newton constant.

Automated summary

Researchers revisit the interaction of self-gravitating, slowly varying sources with their emitted radiation in the context of post-Newtonian approximation to General Relativity. They clarify the choice of boundary conditions for Green's functions, the interplay between near and far zones, and the relation between far-zone ultraviolet divergences and emitted power. Both near- and far-zone contributions are necessary for the computation of conservative dynamics.