Rotating black holes and the Kerr hypothesis

Abstract

The general theory of relativity has been tested numerous times since its inception. An important prediction, which is related to the no-hair theorems of general relativity, is that all astrophysical black holes in the universe are described by the Kerr metric (the so-called Kerr hypothesis). A possible way to test the Kerr hypothesis and the theory of general relativity is through the data obtained by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration (which detected gravitational waves for the first time) and by the EHT collaboration (which obtained the first images of black holes). An alternative way to probe the strong field regime of gravity is through x-rays produced by black holes. Taking into account the recent observational advances in the field of gravity, this PhD project aims to contribute to the study of the Kerr hypothesis using the analysis of quasinormal modes, shadows and X-ray emissions from rotating black holes. (AU)