Topologically equivalent yet radiatively distinct orbits in EMRI system
Multiple potential wells for massive test particles, allowing distinct families of bound orbits to coexist, are a characteristic feature of certain exotic compact objects beyond general relativity. Taking the dyonic black hole as a representative example, we demonstrate that such multi-well geometries generically support multiple coexisting branches of bound orbits, in contrast to the single-branch behavior observed in the Schwarzschild spacetime. Crucially, the periodic orbits sharing identical rational rotation number, and hence identical topological indices can nevertheless produce \\emph{radiatively distinct} gravitational waves in a representative extreme-mass-ratio inspirals: their amplitude modulation and harmonic content differ because each branch spans different regions of spacetime curvature. These ``topologically equivalent yet waveform-distinguishable'' signatures provide a direct observational probe of strong field gravitational dynamics beyond general relativity, potentially accessible to future space-based gravitational wave detectors.
Authors
- Shao-Wen Wei
- Tao Zhu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0779-2245)
- Chao-Hui Wang
- Yu-Xiao Liu
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physics Letters B
- Published
- 2026-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2026.140924
- Primary Topic
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00