Spinning test particles in a Kerr field - I

Abstract

Mathisson-Papapetrou equations are solved numerically to obtain trajectories of spinning test particles in (the meridional section of) the Kerr space-time. The supplementary conditions pσSμσ = 0 are used to close the system of equations. The results show that in principle a spin-curvature interaction may lead to considerable deviations from geodesic motion, although in astrophysical situations of interest probably no large spin effects can be expected for values of spin consistent with a pole-dipole test-particle approximation. However, a significant cumulative effect may occur, e.g. in the inspiral of a spinning particle on to a rotating compact body, that would modify gravitational waves generated by such a system. A thorough literature review is included in the paper.