Black hole perturbation theory has been a key driver of theoretical gravity research since the 1960s, illuminating aspects of quantum gravity, information theory, gravitational-wave science, and the fundamental nature of black holes. It has played a particularly important role in two areas: self-force theory, used to model asymmetric binaries such as extreme-mass-ratio inspirals; and ringdown studies of dynamical black holes, such as occurs after a black hole merger.
Historically, almost all work in these areas has focused on linear perturbations. However, motivated by the needs of precision gravitational-wave astronomy, nonlinear black hole perturbation theory has recently emerged as the new frontier of the field. This advent of high-precision modelling offers exciting prospects for linking the self-force and ringdown communities.
This workshop brought together prominent experts and leading young scientists from the two communities to share methods, spark new collaborations, and investigate new ideas in black hole physics.