Mode stability on the real axis

A generalization of the mode stability result of Whiting [J. Math. Phys. 30, 1301-1305 (1989)] for the Teukolsky equation is proved for the case of real frequencies. The main result of the paper states that a separated solution of the Teukolsky equation governing massless test fields on the Kerr spacetime, which is purely outgoing at infinity, and purely ingoing at the horizon, must vanish. This has the consequence that for real frequencies, there are linearly independent fundamental solutions of the radial Teukolsky equation R-hor, Rout, which are purely ingoing at the horizon and purely outgoing at infinity, respectively. This fact yields a representation formula for solutions of the inhomogeneous Teukolsky equation and was recently used by Shlapentokh-Rothman [Ann. Henri Poincare 16, 289-345 (2015)] for the scalar wave equation. Published by AIP Publishing.