General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)

Abstract: We investigate the accretion disk for a sort of regular black holes which are characterized by sub-Planckian curvature and Minkowskian core. We derive null geodesics outside the horizon of such regular black holes and analyze the feature of the light rays from the accretion disk which can be classified into direct emission, lensed rings, and photon rings. We find that the observed brightness under different emission models is mainly determined by direct emission, while the contribution from the flux of the lensed and photon rings is limited. By comparing with Bardeen black hole with a dS core, it is found that the black hole with a Minkowskian core exhibits distinct astronomical optical features when surrounded by accretion disk, which potentially provides a way to distinguish these two sorts of black holes by astronomical observation.

Abstract: Post-merger gravitational wave echoes provide a unique opportunity to probe the near-horizon structure of astrophysical black holes, that may be modified due to non-perturbative quantum gravity phenomena. However, since the waveform is subject to large theoretical uncertainties, it is necessary to develop model-agnostic search methods for detecting echoes from observational data. A promising strategy is to identify the characteristic quasinormal modes (QNMs) associated with echoes, {\it in frequency space}, which complements existing searches of quasiperiodic pulses in time. In this study, we build upon our previous work targeting these modes by incorporating relative phase information to optimize the Bayesian search algorithm. Using a new phase-marginalized likelihood, the performance can be significantly improved for well-resolved QNMs. This enables an efficient model-agnostic search for QNMs of different shapes by using a simple search template. To demonstrate the robustness of the search algorithm, we construct four complementary benchmarks for the echo waveform that span a diverse range of different theoretical possibilities for the near-horizon structure. We then validate our Bayesian search algorithms by injecting the benchmark models into different realizations of Gaussian noise. Using two types of phase-marginalized likelihoods, we find that the search algorithm can efficiently detect the corresponding QNMs. Therefore, our search strategy provides a concrete Bayesian and model-agnostic approach to "quantum black hole seismology".

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of a lack of knowledge of the instrumental noise on the characterisation of stochastic gravitational wave backgrounds with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). We focus on constraints on modelled backgrounds that represent the possible backgrounds from the mergers of binary black holes of stellar origin, from primordial black hole generation, from non-standard inflation, and from sound wave production during cosmic fluid phase transitions. We use splines to model generic, slowly varying, uncertainties in the auto and cross-spectral densities of the LISA time delay interferometry channels. We find that allowing for noise knowledge uncertainty in this way leads to one to two orders of magnitude degradation in our ability to constrain stochastic backgrounds, and a corresponding increase in the background energy density required for a confident detection. We also find that to avoid this degradation, the LISA noise would have to be known at the sub-percent level, which is unlikely to be achievable in practice.

Abstract: By employing a combination of perturbative analytic methods, we study the physical properties of a static-spherically symmetric black hole in the framework of the recently proposed Einstien-Bel-Robinson version of gravity. We show that interestingly the theory propagates a transverse and massive graviton on a maximally symmetric background with positive energy. There is also a single ghost-free branch that returns to the Einstein case when \beta\to 0. Then, we obtain the conserved charges of the theory to study the thermodynamics of the black hole solutions. We get the thermodynamical quantities and show that the solutions undergo a first-order phase transition with associated Van der Waals behavior. We analyze the specific heat, determining that the black holes are thermodynamically stable over large regions of parametric space.

Abstract: We investigate thermodynamics of static and spherically symmetric black holes (BHs) in the Horndeski theories. Because of the presence of the higher-derivative interactions and the nonminimal derivative couplings of the scalar field, the standard Wald entropy formula may not be directly applicable. Hence, following the original formulation by Iyer and Wald, we obtain the differentials of the BH entropy and the total mass of the system in the Horndeski theories, which lead to the first-law of thermodynamics via the conservation of the Hamiltonian. Our formulation covers the case of the static and spherically symmetric BH solutions with the static scalar field and those with the linearly time-dependent scalar field in the shift-symmetric Horndeski theories. We then apply our results to explicit BH solutions in the Horndeski theories. In the case of the conventional scalar-tensor theories and the Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theories, we recover the BH entropy obtained by the Wald entropy formula. In the shift-symmetric theories, in the case of the BH solutions with the the static scalar field we show that the BH entropy follows the ordinary area law even in the presence of the nontrivial profile of the scalar field. On the other hand, in the case of the BH solutions where the scalar field linearly depends on time, i.e., the stealth Schwarzschild and Schwarzschild-(anti-) de Sitter solutions, the BH entropy also depends on the profile of the scalar field. By use of the entropy, we find that there exists some range of the parameters in which Schwarzschild$-$(AdS) BH with non-trivial scalar field is thermodynamically stable than Schwarzschild$-$(AdS) BH without scalar field in general relativity.

Abstract: In this work, a two-fluid interacting model in a flat FLRW universe has been studied considering particle creation mechanism with a particular form of particle creation rate $\Gamma=\Gamma_0 H+\frac{\Gamma_1}{H}$ from different aspects. Statistical analysis with a combined data set of SNe Ia (Supernovae Type Ia) and Hubble data is performed to achieve the best-fit values of the model parameters, and the model is compatible with current observational data. We also perform a dynamical analysis of this model to get an overall qualitative description of the cosmological evolution by converting the governing equations into a system of ordinary differential equations considering a proper transformation of variables. We find some non-isolated sets of critical points, among which some usually are normally hyperbolic sets of points that describe the present acceleration of the Universe dominated by dark energy mimicking cosmological constant or phantom fluid. Scaling solutions are also obtained from this analysis, and they can alleviate the coincidence problem successfully. Finally, the thermodynamic analysis shows that the Generalized second law of thermodynamics is valid in an irreversible thermodynamic context.

Abstract: A number of approaches to gravitation have much in common with the gauge theories of the standard model of particle physics. In this paper, we develop the Hamiltonian formulation of a class of gravitational theories that may be regarded as spontaneously-broken gauge theories of the complexified Lorentz group $SO(1,3)_C$ with the gravitational field described entirely by a gauge field valued in the Lie algebra of $SO(1,3)_C$ and a `Higgs field' valued in the group's fundamental representation. The theories have one free parameter $\beta$ which appears in a similar role to the inverse of the Barbero-Immirzi parameter of Einstein-Cartan theory. However, contrary to that parameter, it is shown that the number of degrees of freedom crucially depends on the value of $\beta$. For non-zero values of $\beta$, it is shown that three complex degrees of freedom propagate on general backgrounds, and for the specific values $\beta=\pm i$ an extension to General Relativity is recovered in a symmetry-broken regime. For the value $\beta=0$, the theory propagates no local degrees of freedom. A non-zero value of $\beta$ corresponds to the self-dual and anti-self-dual gauge fields appearing asymmetrically in the action, therefore in these models, the existence of gravitational degrees of freedom is tied to chiral asymmetry in the gravitational sector.

Abstract: Light scalar fields, with double well potentials and direct matter couplings, undergo density driven phase transitions, leading to the formation of domain walls. Such theories could explain dark energy, dark matter or source the nanoHz gravitational-wave background. We describe an experiment that could be used to detect such domain walls in a laboratory experiment, solving for the scalar field profile, and showing how the domain wall affects the motion of a test particle. We find that, in currently unconstrained regions of parameter space, the domain walls leave detectable signatures.

Abstract: It is usually accepted that quantum dynamics described by Schrodinger equation that determines the evolution of states from one Cauchy surface to another is unitary. However, it has been known for some time that this expectation is not borne out in the conventional setting in which one envisages the dynamics on a fixed Hilbert space. Indeed it is not even true for linear quantum field theory on Minkowski space if the chosen Cauchy surfaces are not preserved by the flow of a timelike Killing vector. This issue was elegantly addressed and resolved by Agullo and Ashtekar who showed that in a general setting quantum dynamics in the Schrodinger picture does not take place in a fixed Hilbert space. Instead, it takes place on a non-trivial bundle over time, the Hilbert bundle, whose fibre at a given time is a Hilbert space at that time. In this article, we postulate a Schrodinger equation that incorporates the effect of change in vacuum during time evolution by including the Bogoliubov transformation explicitly in the Schrodinger equation. More precisely, for a linear (real) Klein-Gordon field on a globally hyperbolic spacetime we write down a Schrodinger equation that propagates states between arbitrary chosen Cauchy surfaces, thus describing the quantum dynamics on a Hilbert bundle. We show that this dynamics is unitary if a specific tensor on the canonical phase space satisfies the Hilbert-Schmidt condition. Generalized unitarity condition of Agullo-Ashtekar follows quite naturally from our construction.

Abstract: We present how Tsallis cosmology can alleviate both $H_0$ and $\sigma_8$ tensions simultaneously. Such a modified cosmological scenario is obtained by the application of the gravity-thermodynamics conjecture, but using the non-additive Tsallis entropy, instead of the standard Bekenstein-Hawking one. Hence, one obtains modified Friedmann equations, with extra terms that depend on the new Tsallis exponent $\delta$ that quantifies the departure from standard entropy. We show that for particular $\delta$ choices we can obtain a phantom effective dark energy, which is known to be one of the sufficient mechanisms that can alleviate $H_0$ tension. Additionally, for the same parameter choice we obtain an increased friction term and an effective Newton's constant smaller than the usual one, and thus the $\sigma_8$ tension is also solved. These features act as a significant advantage of Tsallis modified cosmology.

Abstract: In this paper, the implications of string Swampland criteria for a dark energy-dominated universe, where we have a deviation from the cold dark matter model, will be discussed. In particular, we have considered two models. One of them is one parameter model, while the second one has been crafted to reveal the dynamics in the deviation. The analysis has been obtained through the use of Gaussian processes (GPs) and $H(z)$ expansion rate data (a $30$-point sample deduced from a differential age method and a $10$-point sample obtained from the radial BAO method). We learned that the tension with the Swampland criteria still will survive as in the cases of the models where dark matter is cold. In the analysis besides mentioned $40$-point $H(z)$ data, we used the latest values of $H_{0}$ reported by the Planck and Hubble missions to reveal possible solutions for the $H_{0}$ tension problem. Finally, the constraints on the neutrino generation number have been obtained revealing interesting results to be discussed yet. This and various related questions have been left to be discussed in forthcoming papers.

Abstract: We study the quasinormal modes (QNM) for scalar, and electromagnetic perturbations in the Schwarzchild black hole with a deficit solid angle and quintessence-like matter. Using the sixth--order WKB approximation and the improved asymptotic iteration method (AIM) we can determine the dependence of the quasinormal modes on the parameters of the black hole and the parameters on the test fields. The values of the real part and imaginary parts of the quasi--normal modes increase with the decrease of the values of the deficit solid angle and density of quintessence-like matter. The quasinormal modes gotten by these two methods are in good agreement. Using the finite difference method, we obtain the time evolution profile of such perturbations in this Black Hole.

Abstract: General relativity (GR) passed many astronomical tests but in majority of them GR predictions have been tested in a weak gravitational field approximation. Around 50 years ago a shadow has been introduced by J. Bardeen as a purely theoretical concept but due to an enormous progress in observational and computational facilities this theoretical prediction has been confirmed and the most solid argument for an existence of supermassive black holes in Sgr A* and M87* has been obtained.

Abstract: Various theoretical models predict the existence of exotic compact objects that can mimic the properties of black holes (BHs). Gravitational waves (GWs) from the mergers of compact objects have the potential to distinguish between exotic compact objects and BHs. The measurement of spin-induced multipole moments of compact objects in binaries provides a unique way to test the nature of compact objects. The observations of GWs by LIGO and Virgo have already put constraints on the spin-induced quadrupole moment, the leading order spin-induced moment. In this work, we develop a Bayesian framework to measure the spin-induced octupole moment, the next-to-leading order spin-induced moment. The precise measurement of the spin-induced octupole moment will allow us to test its consistency with that of Kerr BHs in general relativity and constrain the allowed parameter space for non-BH compact objects. For various simulated compact object binaries, we explore the ability of the LIGO and Virgo detector network to constrain spin-induced octupole moment of compact objects. We find that LIGO and Virgo at design sensitivity can constrain the symmetric combination of component spin-induced octupole moments of binary for dimensionless spin magnitudes $\sim 0.8$. Further, we study the possibility of simultaneously measuring the spin-induced quadrupole and octupole moments. Finally, we perform this test on selected GW events reported in the third GW catalog. These are the first constraints on spin-induced octupole moment using full Bayesian analysis.

Abstract: In this paper, we delve into the gravitational path-integral of Gauss-Bonnet gravity in four spacetime dimensions, in the mini-superspace approximation. Our primary focus lies in. investigating the transition amplitude between distinct boundary configurations. Of particular interest is the case of Robin boundary conditions, known to lead to a stable Universe in Einstein-Hilbert gravity, alongside Neumann boundary conditions. To ensure a consistent variational problem, we supplement the bulk action with suitable surface terms. This study leads us to compute the necessary surface terms required for Gauss-Bonnet gravity with the Robin boundary condition, which wasn't known earlier. Thereafter, we perform an exact computation of the transition amplitude. Through $\hbar\to0$ analysis, we discover that Gauss-Bonnet gravity inherently favors the initial configuration, aligning with the Hartle-Hawking no-boundary proposal. Remarkably, as the Universe expands, it undergoes a transition from the Euclidean (imaginary time) to the Lorentzian phase (real time). To further reinforce our findings, we employ a saddle point analysis utilizing the Picard-Lefschetz methods. The saddle point analysis allows us to find the boundary configurations which lead to Hartle-Hawking no-boundary Universe that agrees with the exact computations.