General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)

Abstract: Various groups recently demonstrated that the time evolution of simplest self-interacting vector fields, those with self-interaction potentials, can break down after a finite duration in what is called loss of hyperbolicity. We establish that this is not an isolated issue, and other generalizations of the Proca theory suffer from the same problem. Specifically, we show that vector field theories with derivative self-interactions have a similar pathology. For this, we derive the effective metric that governs the dynamics, and show that it can change signature during time evolution. We also show that, generalized Proca theories may suffer from tachyonic instabilities as well, which lead to another form of unphysical behavior.

Abstract: In this paper, we present black hole solutions with a cosmological constant in the MOG theory, where the strength of the gravitational constant is determined by $G = G_\text{N}(1+\alpha)$. We derive the master equations for gravito-electromagnetic perturbations and numerically solve for the Quasinormal Mode (QNM) spectrum and the ringdown waveforms. Our results show that increasing either the MOG parameter $\alpha$ or the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ leads to a decrease in both the real and imaginary parts of the QNM frequencies for electromagnetic and gravitational modes, compared to standard Schwarzschild-de Sitter (S-dS) or MOG black holes, respectively. Meanwhile, the result indicates that in the MOG-de Sitter spacetime, the frequencies for electromagnetic and gravitational modes display strict isospectrality, and exhibit the same ringdown waveforms. Our findings have implications for the ringdown phase of mergers involving massive compact objects, which is of particular relevance given the recent detections of gravitational waves by LIGO.

Abstract: In this work we construct and analyse non-perturbative stationary and axially-symmetric black hole solutions in General Relativity coupled to an electromagnetic and an axion field. The axion field is coupled to the electromagnetic field, which leads to hairy solutions in the presence of an electric charge and rotation. We investigate the existence and characteristics of these solutions for different values of the spin, charge and coupling constant. Our analysis shows the presence of violations of the Kerr-Newman bound, solutions with large positive and negative values of the gyromagnetic ratio, and the existence of multiple branches of solutions with distinct properties, demonstrating that black hole uniqueness does not hold in this scenario. The code used in this study is publicly available, providing a valuable tool for further research on this model.

Abstract: We review the concept and definitions of the energy-momentum and angular momentum of the gravitational field in the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (TEGR). The importance of these definitions is justified by three major reasons. First, the TEGR is a well established and widely accepted formulation of the gravitational field, whose basic field strength is the torsion tensor of the Weitzenb\"ock connection. Second, in the phase space of the TEGR there exists an algebra of the Poincar\'e group. Not only the definitions of the gravitational energy-momentum and 4-angular momentum satisfy this algebra, but also the first class constraints related to these definitions satisfy the algebra. And third, innumerous applications of these definitions lead to physically consistent results. These definitions follow from a well established Hamiltonian formulation, and rely on the idea of localization of the gravitational energy. In this review we revisit the concept of localizability of the gravitational energy, in light of results obtained in recent years. We have studied the behaviour of free particles in the space-time of plane fronted gravitational waves (pp-waves). Free particles are here understood as particles that are not subject to external forces other than the gravitational acceleration due to pp-waves. Since these particles acquire or loose kinetic energy locally, the transfer of energy from or to the gravitational field must also be localized. We consider this theoretical result an important and definite argument in favour of the localization of the gravitational energy-momentum, and by extension, of the gravitational 4-angular momentum.

Abstract: The idea that General Relativity could be an effective model, of a yet unknown theory of gravity, has gained momentum among theoretical physicists. The polynomial affine model of gravity is an alternative model of affine gravity that possesses many desirable features to pursue a quantum theory of gravitation. In this paper we argue that such features are a consequence of the lack of a metric structure in the building of the model, even though a emergent metric could be defined. The model introduces additional degrees of freedom associated to the geometric properties of the space, which might shed light to understand the nature of the dark sector of the Universe. When the model is coupled to a scalar field, it is possible to define inflationary scenarios.

Abstract: We study the generation of an electric current in an ideal conducting coil, immersed in a magnetic field, due to the occurrence of a gravitational perturbation. We show that this effect can be used to detect gravitational waves impinging on the coil as well as gravitational gradients when the coil moves in a static background gravitational field. Our work opens the way to employing induced electric signals to detect dynamical gravitational fields and for gradiometry.

Abstract: Noncommutative geometry, an offshoot of string theory, replaces point-like particles by smeared objects. These local effects have led to wormhole solutions in a semiclassical setting, but it has also been claimed that the noncommutative effects can be implemented by modifying only the energy momentum tensor in the Einstein field equations, while leaving the Einstein tensor unchanged. The implication is that noncommutative-geometry wormholes could be macroscopic. The purpose of this paper is to confirm this conclusion in a simpler and more concrete manner by showing that the throat radius can indeed be macroscopic. This result can be readily explained by considering the noncommutative-geometry background to be a fundamental property and the macroscopic wormhole spacetime to be emergent.

Abstract: We review the state of the field of gravitational wave astrophysics, framing the challenges, current observations, and future prospects within the context of the predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity.

Abstract: A model of a thick fluid disk around a binary black hole is considered. A binary black hole is described by the Majumdar-Papapetrou solution. The hydrodynamic equations in this metric are written out. Exact analytical solutions are presented. Generalization to the case of a toroidal magnetic field is carried out.

Abstract: Along their path from source to observer, gravitational waves may be gravitationally lensed by massive objects. This results in distortions of the observed signal which can be used to extract new information about fundamental physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Searches for these distortions amongst the observed signals from the current detector network have already been carried out, though there have as yet been no confident detections. However, predictions of the observation rate of lensing suggest detection in the future is a realistic possibility. Therefore, preparations need to be made to thoroughly investigate the candidate lensed signals. In this work, we present some of the follow-up analyses and strategies that could be applied to assess the significance of such events and ascertain what information may be extracted about the lens-source system from such candidate signals by applying them to a number of O3 candidate events, even if these signals did not yield a high significance for any of the lensing hypotheses. For strongly-lensed candidates, we verify their significance using a background of simulated unlensed events and statistics computed from lensing catalogs. We also look for potential electromagnetic counterparts. In addition, we analyse in detail a candidate for a strongly-lensed sub-threshold counterpart that is identified by a new method. For microlensing candidates, we perform model selection using a number of lens models to investigate our ability to determine the mass density profile of the lens and constrain the lens parameters. We also look for millilensing signatures in one of the lensed candidates. Applying these additional analyses does not lead to any additional evidence for lensing in the candidates that have been examined. However, it does provide important insight into potential avenues to deal with high-significance candidates in future observations.

Abstract: We present a detailed analysis of the phase-space for the field equations in scalar field cosmology with a chameleon cosmology in a spatially flat Friedmann--Lema\^{\i}tre--Robertson--Walker spacetime. For the matter source we assume that it is an ideal gas with a constant equation of state parameter, while for the scalar field potential and the coupling function of the chameleon mechanism we consider four different sets which provide four different models. We consider the $H$-normalization approach and we write the field equations with the help of dimensionless variables. The asymptotic solutions are determined from where we find that the theory can describe the main eras of cosmological history and evolution. Future attractors which describe acceleration exist, however we found past acceleration solutions related to the inflationary era, as also the radiation epoch and the matter dominated eras are provided by the dynamics. We conclude that the Chameleon dark energy model can be used as a unified model for the elements which contribute to the dark sector of the universe.