Numerical relativity analysis shows the direct wave frequency in binary black hole mergers correlates with horizon frequency only incidentally at χ_f ≈ 0.7 and has evolving damping time, making it unsuitable as a probe of remnant horizon properties or for testing Hawking's area law.
Measuring a Black Hole's Area Immediately after Merger: A Direct-Wave Test of Hawking's Area Law
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abstract
Black-hole area is the geometric variable behind horizon thermodynamics. We introduce a gravitational-wave method to infer a Kerr-equivalent horizon area from direct waves in the near-merger signal, before quasinormal ringing dominates at late times. Applied to GW250114, and interpreting the fitted direct-wave frequency and damping rate as horizon quantities, we find that analyses initiated $3$--$4.5M$ before the peak-amplitude time yield an area consistent with the Kerr remnant. This result gives a first area measurement using direct waves and a new near-merger test of Hawking's area law.
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The Direct Wave is Not a Meaningful Test of Horizon Properties
Numerical relativity analysis shows the direct wave frequency in binary black hole mergers correlates with horizon frequency only incidentally at χ_f ≈ 0.7 and has evolving damping time, making it unsuitable as a probe of remnant horizon properties or for testing Hawking's area law.