An observational criterion to look for an inspiral in a non-Kerr spacetime

In this short article we present a useful observational tool for gravitational wave detectors. More specifically, if we are looking for extreme-mass-ratio inspiraling objects in a non-Kerr spacetime, we could exploit the consequences of the KAM and the Poincare-Birkhoff theorem which predicts plateaus in the ratio of frequencies f_ρ/f_z, that are related to a generic geodesic orbit in such a spacetime, as a function of the initial conditions of the orbit itself. While both these frequencies are changing under radiation reaction, their ratio is expected to stay stationary if it passes through such a plateau. Therefore, if detectors are able to discern the fundamental frequencies due to ρ and z oscillations of the orbit, they could in principle detect the non-Kerr-ness of the spacetime involved, just by monitoring the ratio of these two frequencies.