General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)

Abstract: Stable light rings, which are associated with spacetime instabilities, are known to exist in four-dimensional stationary axisymmetric spacetimes that solve the Einstein$\unicode{x2013}$Maxwell equations (so-called electrovacuum solutions, with Faraday tensor $F_{\mu \nu} \neq 0$); however, they are not permitted in pure vacuum ($F_{\mu \nu} = 0$). In this work, we extend this result to spacetimes with a non-zero cosmological constant $\Lambda$. In particular, we demonstrate that stable light rings are permitted in $\Lambda$-electrovacuum ($F_{\mu \nu} \neq 0$, $\Lambda \neq 0$), but ruled out in $\Lambda$-vacuum ($F_{\mu \nu} = 0$, $\Lambda \neq 0$).

Abstract: We consider a generalization of the quintessence type scalar field cosmological models, by adding a multiplicative dissipative term in the scalar field Lagrangian, which is represented in an exponential form. The generalized dissipative Klein-Gordon equation is obtained from the variational principle in a covariant form. The energy-momentum tensor of the dissipative scalar field is also obtained from the dissipative Lagrangian. The generalized Friedmann equations in the presence of the dissipative scalar field are obtained for a specific form of dissipation, with the dissipation exponent represented as the time integral of the product of the Hubble function, and of a function describing the dissipative properties of the scalar field. Several cosmological models, corresponding to different choices of the dissipation function, and of the scalar field potential, are considered in detail. The evolutions of the basic cosmological parameters (Hubble function, deceleration parameter etc.) are investigated by using both analytical and numerical techniques. A comparison with the observational data for the Hubble function, and with the predictions of the standard $\Lambda$CDM paradigm is also presented for each dissipative scalar field model. In the large time limit the model describes an accelerating Universe, with the effective negative pressure induced by the dissipative effects associated to the scalar field. Accelerated expansion in the absence of the scalar field potential is also possible, with the kinetic term dominating the expansionary evolution. The dissipative scalar field models describe well the observational data, with the free parameters of the model obtained by a trial and error method. The obtained results show that the dissipative scalar field model offers an effective dynamical possibility for explaining the recent cosmological observational data.

Abstract: Einstein-Maxwell dilaton-axion (EMDA) gravity provides a simple framework to investigate the signatures of string theory. The axion and the dilaton fields arising in EMDA gravity have important implications in inflationary cosmology and in addressing the late time acceleration of the universe. It is therefore instructive to explore the implications of such a model in explaining the astrophysical observations. In this work we explore the role of EMDA gravity in explaining the observed shadows of black holes (M87* and Sgr A*) released by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration. The Kerr-Sen metric represents the exact, stationary and axisymmetric black hole solution of EMDA gravity. Such a black hole is characterized by the angular momentum $a$ acquired from the axionic field and the dilatonic charge $r_2$ arising from string compactifications. We study the role of spin and the dilaton charge in modifying the shape and size of the black hole shadow. We note that black holes with larger dilaton charge cast a smaller shadow. We investigate the consequences of such a result in addressing the EHT observations of M87* and Sgr A*. Our analysis reveals that the shadow of M87* exhibits a preference towards the Kerr scenario. However, when 10% offset in the shadow diameter is considered, $0.1\lesssim r_2\lesssim 0.3$ is observationally favored within 1-$\sigma$. The shadow of Sgr A* on the other hand shows a preference towards the Kerr-Sen scenario since the central value of its shadow can be better explained by a non-zero dilaton charge $0.1 \lesssim r_2 \lesssim 0.4$. However, when the 1-$\sigma$ interval is considered the Kerr scenario is included. We discuss the implications of our results.

Abstract: In a recent work by Fernandes [arXiv:2305.10382], an exact stationary and axisymmetric solution was discovered in semiclassical gravity with type-A trace anomaly, identified as a quantum-corrected version of the Kerr black hole. This discovery presents exciting research opportunities for observing non-circular spacetimes. In this study, we explore the light rings and shadow of this black hole solution. Our investigation reveals that there exist prograde and retrograde normal light rings, whose radii increase monotonically with the coupling parameter $\alpha$. We also observe that when $\alpha$ is negative, the shadow area for the quantum-corrected black hole is smaller than that of the Kerr black hole, whereas when $\alpha$ is positive, the area is larger. Furthermore, the NHEKline for nearly extreme black hole disappears when $\alpha$ is greater than zero, while it appears for negative $\alpha$, even if the spin is not too high. Such line sinks in the middle part when $|\alpha|$ is relatively large if $\alpha$ is less than zero.

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to study the Kaluza-Klein universe in the context of the $f(R,T)$ gravity theory using magnetized strange quark matter (MSQM). To obtain exact solutions of field equations, we assume two types of volumetric expansion: power law and exponential law volumetric expansions. The violation of energy conditions has been studied. The physical and geometrical properties of the examined model have also been investigated thoroughly. Keywords: Kaluza-Klein metric, Magnetized Strange Quark Matter, Power and Exponential law, $f(R,T)$ gravity.

Abstract: Topological stars, or top stars for brevity, are smooth horizonless static solutions of Einstein-Maxwell theory in 5-d that reduce to spherically symmetric solutions of Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton theory in 4-d. We study linear scalar perturbations of top stars and argue for their stability and deformability. We tackle the problem with different techniques including WKB approximation, numerical analysis, Breit-Wigner resonance method and quantum Seiberg-Witten curves. We identify three classes of quasi-normal modes corresponding to prompt-ring down modes, long-lived meta-stable modes and what we dub `blind' modes. All mode frequencies we find have negative imaginary parts, thus suggesting linear stability of top stars. Moreover we determine the tidal Love and dissipation numbers encoding the response to tidal deformations and, similarly to black holes, we find zero value in the static limit but, contrary to black holes, we find non-trivial dynamical Love numbers and vanishing dissipative effects at linear order. For the sake of illustration in a simpler context, we also consider a toy model with a piece-wise constant potential and a centrifugal barrier that captures most of the above features in a qualitative fashion.

Abstract: The third observing run of advanced LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA brought unprecedented sensitivity towards a variety of quasi-monochromatic, persistent gravitational-wave signals. Continuous waves allow us to probe not just the existence of canonical asymmetrically rotating neutron stars, but also different forms of dark matter, thus showing the wide-ranging astrophysical implications of using a relatively simple signal model. I will describe the major results from the numerous continuous-wave searches that were performed in O3, both inside and outside the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA collaborations, and show how impactful to multi-messenger physics that they have been.

Abstract: In this work, we construct a modified version of the Einstein field equations for a vacuum and spherically symmetric spacetime in terms of the Riemann-Louville fractional derivative. The main difference between our approach and other works is that we ensure that both the classical differential equations and the classical solutions are exactly recovered in the limit when the fractional parameter is turned off. We assume that the fractional equations are valid inside and near the horizon radius and match the classical solution at the horizon. Our approach resembles the Herrera--Witten strategy shown in Adv.High Energy Phys. 2018 (2018) 3839103, where the authors constructed an alternative black hole solution by assuming that inside the horizon the spacetime is hyperbolically symmetric and matches the classical spherically symmetric exterior solution at one point at the horizon. We obtain that, depending on the value of the fractional parameter, the solutions can be interpreted as a regular black hole or a gravatar. As a final step, we compute the fractional curvature scalars and show that the solution is regular everywhere inside the horizon.

Abstract: In the context of $F(\phi)R$ models of gravity, the conformal invariance of the curvature perturbation on the uniform-field slicings has been already demonstrated in several publications. In this work, we study the conformal invariance of the curvature perturbation defined on hypersurfaces that are comoving with an effective fluid. We derive the comoving curvature perturbation in each conformal frame and relate both. It is shown that the conformal invariance of this gauge-invariant curvature perturbation does not always hold, and the analysis on superhorizon and subhorizon scales is performed in the slow-roll regime of inflation. We find that the comoving curvature perturbation is conformally invariant on superhorizon scales but the same cannot be concluded on the subhorizon regime.

Abstract: Near-future, space-based, radio- and gravitational-wave interferometry missions will enable us to rigorously test whether the Kerr solution of general relativity accurately describes astrophysical black holes, or if it requires some kind of modification. At the same time, recent work has greatly improved our understanding of theories of gravity that modify the Einstein-Hilbert action with terms quadratic in the curvature, allowing us to calculate black hole solutions to (essentially) arbitrary order in a slow-rotation expansion. Observational constraints of such quadratic gravity theories require the calculation of observables that are robust against the expansion order of the black hole solution used. We carry out such a study here and determine the accuracy with respect to expansion order of ten observables associated with the spacetime outside a rotating black hole in two quadratic theories of gravity, dynamical-Chern-Simons and scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. We find that for all but the most rapidly rotating black holes, only about the first eight terms in the spin expansion are necessary to achieve an accuracy that is better than the statistical uncertainties of current and future missions.

Abstract: In the present work, we aimed to investigate the dynamics of spinning charged and magnetized test particles around both electrically and magnetically charged quantum-improved black holes. We derive the equations of motion for charged spinning test particles using the Mathisson-Papapetrou-Dixon equations with the Lorentz coupling term. The radius of innermost stable circular orbits (ISCOs), specific angular momentum, and energy for charged spinless, uncharged spinning, and charged spinning test particles around the charged and non-charged quantum-improved black holes are analyzed separately. We found that the quantum parameter increases the maximum spin value, $s_\text{max}$, which leads to the nonphysical motion (superluminal motion) of the charged spinning test particle, whereas the black hole charge decreases its value. We also found that, in contrast to the Reissner Nordstr\"om black hole, spinning charged test particles in the quantum-improved charged black hole have higher $s_\text{max}$; moreover, positively charged spinning particles can have higher values of $s_\text{max}$ near the extreme black hole cases when compared with uncharged spinning particles. Finally, we investigate the magnetized test particle's dynamics around a quantum-improved magnetically charged black hole in Quantum Einstein Gravity using the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. We show that the presence of $\omega$ increases the maximum value of the effective potential and decreases the minimum energy and angular momentum of magnetized particles at their circular orbits. We found an upper constraint in the black hole charge at the ISCO.