Three-dimensional general relativistic Poynting-Robertson effect. IV. Slowly rotating and nonspherical quadrupolar massive source

We consider a further extension of our previous works in the treatment of the three-dimensional general relativistic Poynting-Robertson effect, which describes the motion of a test particle around a compact object as affected by the radiation field originating from a rigidly rotating and spherical emitting source, which produces a radiation pressure, opposite to the gravitational pull, and a radiation drag force, which removes energy and angular momentum from the test particle. The gravitational source is modeled as a nonspherical and slowly rotating compact object endowed with a mass quadrupole moment and an angular momentum and it is formally described by the Hartle-Thorne metric. We derive the test particle's equations of motion in the three-dimensional and two-dimensional cases. We then investigate the properties of the critical hypersurfaces (regions where a balance between gravitational and radiation forces is established). Finally, we showhowthis model can be applied to treat radiation phenomena occurring in the vicinity of a neutron star.

Automated summary

This study further explores the three-dimensional general relativistic Poynting-Robertson effect in the motion around compact objects, discussing the effects of radiation pressure and radiation drag force, investigating the properties of critical hypersurfaces, and demonstrating how this model can be applied to radiation phenomena near neutron stars.