The second order quasi-normal modes for an AdS$_4$ black brane

Abstract: We study the second order gravitational perturbations in an AdS black brane background. The equations of motion for the second order modes are obtained in terms of gauge invariant variables, where in general the second order quasi-normal modes are sourced by two first order quasi-normal modes. The ratio of the amplitudes between the second order mode and the product of two linear modes in the source is numerically computed. Remarkably, it turns out that the quadratic-to-linear ratio of amplitudes at horizon is found to be of order one in general. In particular, the resonance occurs at special positions in momentum space, where the amplitude becomes divergent. The condition leading to the resonance is that the combined frequency of two sources coincides with one of another first order quasi-normal mode. This phenomenon is in contrast to what is observed in asymptotically flat spacetime.