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This chapter examines the spin of a black hole. The spin is usually described as a nondimensional parameter, which can range from zero (a nonspinning black hole) to one (a situation described as “maximally spinning”). The differences in space-time between a nonspinning Schwarzschild black hole and a Kerr black hole of the same mass have potentially observable effects. The most obvious of these differences is the position of the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO), which has a significant effect on the inner edge of an accretion disk. It is through determination of the physical size of the ISCO that the spins of black holes are determined.

This chapter discusses the physics of rotating black holes, introducing new features like rotational frame dragging. The Kerr solution is discussed, as is the Newman–Penrose approach and the black-hole perturbation theory.

Black holes are introduced as solutions of Einsteins equations contain-ing a physical singularity covered by an event horizon. The properties of Schwarzschild and of Kerr black holes are examined. It is demonstrated that the event horizon of a black hole can only increase within classical physics. However, the event horizon is an infinite redshift surface and emits in the semi-classical picture thermal radiation. This Hawking radiation leads in turn to the information paradox.

This chapter covers the Kerr metric, which is an exact solution of the Einstein vacuum equations. The Kerr metric provides a good approximation of the spacetime near each of the many rotating black holes in the observable universe. This chapter shows that the Einstein equations are nonlinear. However, there exists a class of metrics which linearize them. It demonstrates the Kerr–Schild metrics, before arriving at the Kerr solution in the Kerr–Schild metrics. Since the Kerr solution is stationary and axially symmetric, this chapter shows that the geodesic equation possesses two first integrals. Finally, the chapter turns to the Kerr black hole, as well as its curvature singularity, horizons, static limit, and maximal extension.

This chapter presents the basics of the ‘effective-one-body’ approach to the two-body problem in general relativity. It also shows that the 2PN equations of motion can be mapped. This can be done by means of an appropriate canonical transformation, to a geodesic motion in a static, spherically symmetric spacetime, thus considerably simplifying the dynamics. Then, including the 2.5PN radiation reaction force in the (resummed) equations of motion, this chapter provides the waveform during the inspiral, merger, and ringdown phases of the coalescence of two non-spinning black holes into a final Kerr black hole. The chapter also comments on the current developments of this approach, which is instrumental in building the libraries of waveform templates that are needed to analyze the data collected by the current gravitational wave detectors.