SearcharxivSearch

arXiv · 2107.09493

Ultralight bosons for strong gravity applications from simple Standard Model extensions

Abstract

We construct families, and concrete examples, of simple extensions of the Standard Model that can yield ultralight {real or} complex vectors or scalars with potential astrophysical relevance. Specifically, the mass range for these putative fundamental bosons ($\sim 10^{-10}-10^{-20}$ eV) would lead dynamically to both new non-black hole compact objects (bosonic stars) and new non-Kerr black holes, with masses of $\sim M_\odot$ to $\sim 10^{10} M_\odot$, corresponding to the mass range of astrophysical black hole candidates (from stellar mass to supermassive). For each model, we study the properties of the mass spectrum and interactions after spontaneous symmetry breaking, discuss its theoretical viability and caveats, as well as some of its potential and most relevant phenomenological implications {linking them to the} physics of compact objects.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

BibTeXRIS

Felipe F. Freitas, Carlos A. R. Herdeiro, António P. Morais, António Onofre, Roman Pasechnik, Eugen Radu, Nicolas Sanchis-Gual, Rui Santos. 2021-07-20. Ultralight bosons for strong gravity applications from simple Standard Model extensions. https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2021/12/047

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

Axionic Wormholes in Metric-Affine Gravity

The axion is a promising candidate for solving the strong CP problem. To solve this problem, the global U(1) symmetry must be preserved to a high degree of accuracy. However, it is well known that global symmetries are explicitly violated by quantum gravity effects, giving rise to what is referred to as the axion quality problem. In this paper, we investigate axionic wormholes as a source of explicit U(1) violation in Metric-Affine Gravity. This framework allows for spacetime torsion and non-metricity, which accommodate additional curvature-like and topological terms, such as the Holst and Nieh--Yan terms, that are absent from the metric and Palatini formalisms. We show that non-minimal couplings to these terms modify the wormhole dynamics and enhance the Euclidean wormhole action, thereby alleviating the axion quality problem. We also find that the viable parameter space is enlarged when two of these couplings are simultaneously present. We further identify representative parameter regions where the alleviation of the axion quality problem is compatible with inflationary constraints.

hep-ph

Qubit-Qutrit Quantum Tomography of hadronic $\Lambda\phi$ and $\Lambda K^{\ast 0}$ systems

Quantum-information observables have emerged in recent years as new tools in nuclear and particle physics, from entanglement in top-quark pairs to spin correlations in $\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}$ production. Extending these studies to unequal-spin hadronic final states poses a fundamental challenge: the $6\times6$ density matrix of a qubit-qutrit system contains 35 independent spin parameters, but the decays of $\Lambda V$ pairs, with $V=\phi$ or $K^{*0}$, provide access to only 23 due to the hidden vector polarization from the strong decay. In this Letter, we formulate a qubit-qutrit quantum tomography (QQQT) technique for these spin-$\tfrac{1}{2}\otimes1$ systems and establish exact criteria for entanglement certification from the \textit{incomplete} density matrix. Compared with the $\Lambda\bar{\Lambda}$ system, QQQT of $\Lambda\phi$ and $\Lambda K^{*0}$ provides a new probe of nonperturbative QCD hadronization, enabling a direct comparison of the spin evolution of entangled quark pairs produced from the vacuum as they hadronize into a baryon or a vector meson.

hep-ph

Twist decomposition of exclusive heavy meson production cross sections

We study the twist decomposition of the total cross sections for exclusive heavy vector meson electroproduction and photoproduction in the $\gamma^\ast p$ processes, within the leading logarithmic $1/x$ BFKL formalism. The Mellin transforms of the impact factors of the vector meson are calculated. We show that the higher twist contributions are strongly suppressed in the low-$x$ kinematical regime. Possible enhancement of the higher twists effects for nuclei targets is discussed.

hep-ph