Giovanni Tomaselli and collaborators explore the potential presence of “gravitational atoms” surrounding black holes, formed by clouds of axions or other light bosons. These gravitational atoms could impact the evolution of black hole binaries, affecting their orbital motion through complex interactions. The researchers have identified various evolutionary paths these binaries could take, considering factors such as eccentricity and inclination. Their work introduces new insights into the behavior of binary systems with gravitational atoms, offering a unique perspective on black hole evolution. The study sheds light on the intricate dynamics of these systems, providing valuable guidance for future research in this area.
https://physics.aps.org/articles/v17/133