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arXiv · 2503.01962

Curvature Perturbations from First-Order Phase Transitions: Implications to Black Holes and Gravitational Waves

Gabriele Franciolini·Yann Gouttenoire·Ryusuke Jinno
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Abstract

Understanding whether primordial black holes form during strong first-order phase transition (FOPT) is a crucial open question in cosmology. We address this using a fully covariant formalism to study cosmological perturbations, highlighting previously overlooked gauge dependencies. We show that non-covariant treatments can overestimate primordial black holes and scalar-induced gravitational waves. Once gauge dependencies are accounted for, both signals are strongly suppressed, with direct implications for the FOPT interpretation of the Pulsar Timing Array signal.

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Gabriele Franciolini, Yann Gouttenoire, Ryusuke Jinno. 2025-03-03. Curvature Perturbations from First-Order Phase Transitions: Implications to Black Holes and Gravitational Waves. https://doi.org/10.1103/tfcx-kzqx

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