General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)

Abstract: We study the perturbations up to the 2nd-order for a power-law inflation driven by a scalar field in synchronous coordinates. We solve the 1st-order perturbed Einstein equation and scalar field equation, give the 1st-order solutions for all the scalar, vector, and tensor metric perturbations, as well as the perturbed scalar field. During inflation, the 1st-order tensor perturbation is a wave and is decoupled from other perturbations, the scalar metric perturbation and the perturbed scalar field are coupled waves, propagating at the speed of light, differing from those in the dust and relativistic fluid models. The 1st-order vector perturbation is not wave and just decreases during inflation. The 2nd-order perturbed Einstein equation is similar in structure to the 1st-order one, but various products of the 1st-order perturbations occur as the effective source, among which the scalar-scalar coupling is considered in this paper. The solutions of all the 2nd-order perturbations consist of a homogeneous part similar to the 1st-order solutions, and an inhomogeneous part in a form of integrations of the effective source. The 2nd-order vector perturbation is also a wave since the effective source is composed of the 1st-order waves. We perform the residual gauge transformations between synchronous coordinates up to the 2nd-order, and identify the 1st-order and 2nd-order gauge modes. The 1st-order tensor perturbation is gauge independent, and all others are gauge dependent. We examine four 1st-order gauge invariant scalar perturbations and use the zero-point energy of the scalar field to determine the four primordial spectra.

Abstract: The non-trivial naked singularities that possess directional behavior in the charged and uncharged Zipoy-Voorhees (ZV) spacetimes, known as {\gamma} - metrics are investigated within the context of quantum mechanics. Classically singular spacetime is understood as a geodesic incompleteness with respect to a particle probe, while quantum singularity is understood as a non-unique evolution of test quantum wave packets. In this study, quantum wave packets obeying Klein - Gordon equation are used to probe timelike naked singularities. It is shown by rigorous mathematical calculations that the outermost singularity developed in the charged and uncharged Zipoy-Voorhees spacetime on the equatorial plane is quantum mechanically singular for all values of the deformation parameter {\gamma}. However, directional singularities that develop on the symmetry axis is shown to be healed partially for specific range of the parameter {\gamma}, if the analysis is restricted purposely to only specific mode (s-wave mode). Allowing arbitrary modes, classical directional singularities remains quantum singular.

Abstract: We report on the recent construction of a scattering theory for Maxwell potentials on curved spacetimes.

Abstract: The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration unveiled event-horizon-scale images of the supermassive black holes (SMBHs) M87* and Sgr A*, revealing a dark brightness depression, namely the black hole shadow, whose shape and size may encode the parameters of the SMBHs, and the shadow is consistent with that of a Kerr black hole. It furnishes another encouraging tool to estimate black hole parameters and test theories of gravity in extreme regions near the event horizon. We propose a technique that uses EHT observables, the angular shadow diameter $d_{sh}$ and the axis ratio $\mathcal{D}_A$, to estimate the parameters associated with SMBHs, described by the Kerr metric. Unlike previous methods, our approach explicitly considers the uncertainties in the measurement of EHT observables. Modelling Kerr--Newman and three rotating regular spacetimes to be M87* and Sgr A* and applying our technique, we estimate the associated charge parameters along with spin. Our method is consistent with the existing formalisms and can be applied to shadow shapes that are more general and may not be circular. We can use the technique for other SMBHs once their EHT observables become accessible. With future, more accurate measurements of the EHT observables, the estimation of various SMBH parameters like the spin and inclination angles of M87* and Sgr A* would be more precise.

Abstract: This study investigates the geodesic motion of test particles, both massless and massive, within a Schwarzschild-Klinkhamer (SK) wormhole space-time. We specifically consider the influence of cosmic strings on the system and analyze the effective potential, and observing that the presence of a cosmic string parameter alters it for null and time-like geodesics. Moreover, we calculate the deflection angle for null geodesics, and demonstrate that the cosmic string modifies this angle and induces a shift in the results. Additionally, we extend our investigation in this SK-wormhole space-time but with a global monopole. We explore the geodesic motion of test particles in this scenario and find that the effective potential is affected by the global monopole. Similarly, we determine the deflection angle for null geodesics and show that the global monopole parameter introduces modifications to this angle. Lastly, we present several known solutions for space-times involving cosmic strings and global monopoles within the framework of this SK-wormhole

Abstract: Pulsar timing arrays gathered evidence of the presence of a gravitational wave background around nHz frequencies. If the gravitational wave background was induced by large and Gaussian primordial fluctuations, they would then produce too many sub-solar mass primordial black holes. We show that if at the time of gravitational wave generation the universe was dominated by a canonical scalar field, with the same equation of state as standard radiation but a higher propagation speed of fluctuations, one can explain the gravitational wave background with a primordial black hole counterpart consistent with observations. Lastly, we discuss possible ways to test this model with future gravitational wave detectors.

Abstract: Dynamical captures of black holes may take place in dense stellar media due to the emission of gravitational radiation during a close passage. Detection of such events requires detailed modelling, since their phenomenology qualitatively differs from that of quasi-circular binaries. Very few models can deliver such waveforms, and none includes information from Numerical Relativity (NR) simulations of non quasi-circular coalescences. In this study we present a first step towards a fully NR-informed Effective One Body (EOB) model of dynamical captures. We perform 14 new simulations of single and double encounter mergers, and use this data to inform the merger-ringdown model of the TEOBResumS-Dali approximant. We keep the initial energy approximately fixed to the binary mass, and vary the mass-rescaled, dimensionless angular momentum in the range $(0.6, 1.1)$, the mass ratio in $(1, 2.15)$ and aligned dimensionless spins in $(-0.5, 0.5)$. We find that the model is able to match NR to $97%$, improving previous performances, without the need of modifying the base-line template. Upon NR informing the model, this improves to $99%$ with the exception of one outlier corresponding to a direct plunge. The maximum EOBNR phase difference at merger for the uninformed model is of $0.15$ radians, which is reduced to $0.1$ radians after the NR information is introduced. We outline the steps towards a fully informed EOB model of dynamical captures, and discuss future improvements.