arXiv subjects

Alessandro Santoni

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandro Santoni.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Numerical polology: towards next-generation model-building for cosmology

The dark sector need not be restricted to simple field content. Indeed, simple bosonic configurations, such as scalar-tensor or dark photon models, contrast with the much richer picture painted by many ultraviolet scenarios. Polology is the study of propagator poles, which correspond to particle states in any given theory. We outline a numerical polology framework for discovering perturbative, ghost-free models with consistent interactions, which produces theoretical model priors by sampling the coupling space. The method is tested on tensor field theories of up to rank three. Subsequent observational constraint pipelines are illustrated for black hole superradiance (M33 X-7), dynamical dark energy (DESI DR2, Pantheon and SH0ES) and gravitational waves (GWTC-3).

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Higher spin Lagrangians from higher derivative diffeomorphisms

The covariant description of massless particles of arbitrary spin typically employs symmetric tensors of rank $s$ and rests on a local symmetry carried by symmetric tensor parameters of rank $s-1$, suitably generalizing the $U(1)$ transformations of Maxwell's theory and the diffeomorphisms underlying general relativity. Here we show that Fronsdal's action is actually uniquely identified by the weaker requirement of invariance under higher-derivative gauge transformations driven by a vector parameter. This observation may hint to a tighter, if unexpected, connection between higher-spin symmetry and diffeomorphisms.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Delving into the Phenomenology of Very Special Relativity: From Subatomic Particles to Binary Stars

In this thesis, we investigate the implications of Lorentz-violating (LV) theories, focusing on Very Special Relativity (VSR) and its phenomenological consequences. Initially presented as an alternative mechanism for neutrino masses, VSR has since become a significant part of the general LV framework, distinguished by its unique group structure and non-local operators. After a comprehensive introduction to the principles of LV and VSR, we present the corresponding modifications to the Dirac equation. A significant part of the thesis is dedicated to the development of a Hamiltonian formalism within the VSR context, addressing its inherent non-localities. This approach is further extended to the non-relativistic limit, connecting it to the conventional Schrödinger picture. We then set upper bounds on the VSR parameters by examining its corrections to a wide range of physical systems and scenarios, such as Landau levels of charged particles, the $\mathsf g-$factor of electrons, the energy spectrum of ultracold neutrons in Earth's gravitational field, and the gravitational emission from binary stars. The latter analysis led us to the construction of a VSR field theory for spin-2 fields in flat space, which was surprisingly found to accommodate a gauge-invariant graviton mass. Through this comprehensive study, we bridged theoretical predictions with experimental data, paving the way for future explorations in Lorentz-violating theories and highlighting their potential to address unresolved questions in modern physics.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Infrared foundations for quantum geometry II: Catalogue of all torsion-like theories including new ghost-tachyon-free cases

The construction of consistent effective field theories in the infrared demands that models be defined by their underlying gauge symmetries, rather than by an arbitrary tuning of couplings or a cherry-picking of operators which may not be stable against radiative corrections. Adhering to this principle, we systematically derive all linear, parity-conserving models that propagate a pair-antisymmetric rank-three field on a Minkowski background. Such models are relevant not only to torsion, but to many areas in high-energy physics ranging from dual graviton formulations to string theory and higher-spin theories. Following this exhaustive classification, we extract several unitary models. In the context of torsion, the results are remarkable. None of the models we obtain propagate scalar or pseudoscalar torsion, in stark contrast to the literature focus. Instead, all models propagate one or more vector torsion modes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Infrared foundations for quantum geometry I: Catalogue of totally symmetric rank-three field theories

We systematically obtain all linear models which propagate a totally symmetric rank-three field without parity violation on a flat background. Each such model is defined exclusively by its gauge symmetry, a necessary property of effective field theories in the infrared limit. By comparison, models obtained by other means (tuning couplings or cherry-picking operators) may be unstable against radiative corrections. For each model, we compute the spectrum of massless and massive particles, and the no-ghost-no-tachyon constraints on the couplings. We conclude that foundational models exist which can propagate one massless particle of spin one or spin three in isolation, or both particles simultaneously, generalising the model of Campoleoni and Francia. Our algorithm for detecting symmetric models is grounded in particle physics methods, being based directly on the Wigner decomposition of the field. Compared to our recent analysis of the totally symmetric rank-three field (whose results we confirm and extend) our new algorithm does not require an ansatz for the symmetry transformation, and is not restricted to so-called 'free' symmetries.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Can metric-affine gravity be saved?

Like general relativity, metric-affine gravity should be a viable effective quantum theory, otherwise it is a mathematical curiosity without physical application. Assuming a perturbative quantum field theory, the universal, flat limit of metric-affine gravity offers a good foundation for model-building only when symmetry constraints are themselves sufficient to get rid of ghosts and tachyons in the spectrum of propagating particle states, without requiring any further tuning of the couplings. Using this symmetry-first criterion, we find that for parity-preserving models with a totally symmetric distortion, only massless spin-one and spin-three modes are possible besides the graviton. Moreover, no viable models result from gauge symmetries generated by a scalar field.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Very Special Relativity in Accelerated Frames: Non-relativistic Effects in Gravitational Spectroscopy of Ultracold Neutrons

In this paper, we investigate the phenomenology of fermionic systems in uniform gravitational fields within the framework of Very Special Relativity (VSR). We focus on the case of gravitational spectroscopy with ultracold neutrons, explored in experiments like \emph{q}\textsc{Bounce}. Calculating the leading ($c^0$) and next-to-leading ($c^{-1}$) order corrections to the non-relativistic Hamiltonian in an accelerated frame, we obtain the perturbed fermionic energy spectrum. At leading order, we do not find any modifications except for a trivial mass shift, thus preserving the equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass and particle-antiparticle sectors. The next-to-leading order corrections, instead, introduce time-dependent anisotropic contributions depending on the preferred spatial direction in VSR, and can then be used to probe novel Lorentz-violating signatures. Taking \emph{q}\textsc{Bounce} sensitivity as a benchmark, we derive a first rough constraint for the neutron VSR parameter. Finally, we suggest alternative spin-flipping setups to better probe VSR effects and foresee potential future research directions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

VSL-Gravity in light of PSR B1913+16 Full Data Set: Upper limits on graviton mass and its theoretical consequences

Very Special Linear Gravity (VSL-Gravity) is an alternative model of linearized gravity that incorporates massive gravitons while retaining only two physical degrees of freedom thanks to gauge invariance. Recently, the gravitational period-decay dynamics of the model has been determined using effective field theory techniques. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive Bayesian analysis of the PSR B1913+16 binary pulsar dataset to test the predictions of VSL-Gravity. Our results place a 95\% confidence level upper bound on the graviton mass at $m_g \lesssim 10^{-19} \, \text{eV}/c^2$. Additionally, we observe a significant discrepancy in the predicted mass of one of the binary's companion stars. Lastly, we discuss the broader implications of a non-zero graviton mass, from astrophysical consequences to potential cosmological effects.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Graviton Mass Bounds in Very Special Relativity from Binary Pulsar's Gravitational Waves

In this work we study the gravitational radiation produced by a keplerian binary system within the context of Very Special Linear Gravity (VSLG), a novel theory of linearized gravity in the framework of Very Special Relativity (VSR) allowing for a gauge-invariant mass $m_g$ of the graviton. For this task, we exploit Effective Field Theory's techniques, which require, among others, the calculation of the squared amplitude of the emission process and therefore the polarization sum for VSLG gravitons. Working in the radiation zone and using the standard energy momentum tensor's expression for keplerian binaries, we derive and study the properties of the VSLG energy loss and period decrease rates, also verifying they reduce to the correct General Relativity limit when sending $m_g\to0$. Finally, using astronomical data from the Hulse-Taylor binary and the Double Pulsar J0737-3039, we obtain an upperbound on the VSLG graviton mass of $m_g\sim 10^{-21}eV$ that, while being comparable to bounds obtained in this same way for other massive gravity models, is still weaker than the kinematical bound $\sim 10^{-22}eV$ obtained from the combined observation of the astronomical events GW170817 and GRB170817A, which should still hold in VSLG.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Ultracold Neutrons in the Low Curvature Limit: Remarks on the post-Newtonian effects

Ultracold neutrons are great experimental tools to explore the gravitational interaction in the regime of quantized states. From a theoretical perspective, starting from a Dirac equation in curved spacetime, we applied a perturbative scheme to systematically derive the non-relativistic Schrödinger equation that governs the evolution of the neutron's wave function in the Earth's gravitational field. At the lowest order, this procedure reproduces a Schrödinger system affected by a linear Newtonian potential, but corrections due to both curvature and relativistic effects are present. Here, we argue that one should be very careful when going one step further in the perturbative expansion. Proceeding methodically with the help of the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation and a formal post-Newtonian $c^{-2}-$expansion, we derive the non-relativistic Hamiltonian for a generic static spacetime. By employing Fermi coordinates within this framework, we calculate the next-to-leading order corrections to the neutron's energy spectrum. Finally, we evaluate them for typical experimental configurations, such as that of qBOUNCE, and note that, while the current precision for observations of ultracold neutrons may not yet enable to probe them, they could still be relevant in the future or in alternative circumstances.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Very Special Linear Gravity: A Gauge-Invariant Graviton Mass

Linearized gravity in the Very Special Relativity (VSR) framework is considered. We prove that this theory allows for a non-zero graviton mass $m_g$ without breaking gauge invariance nor modifying the relativistic dispersion relation. We find the analytic solution for the new equations of motion in our gauge choice, verifying as expected the existence of only two physical degrees of freedom. Finally, through the geodesic deviation equation, we confront some results for classic gravitational waves (GW) with the VSR ones: we see that the ratios between VSR effects and classical ones are proportional to $(m_g/E)^2$, $E$ being the energy of a graviton in the GW. For GW detectable by the interferometers LIGO and VIRGO this ratio is at most $10^{-20}$. However, for GW in the lower frequency range of future detectors, like LISA, the ratio increases significantly to $ 10^{-10}$, that combined with the anisotropic nature of VSR phenomena may lead to observable effects.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Corrections to the Gyromagnetic Factor in Very Special Relativity

We consider Very Special Relativity corrections to the energy spectrum of a $C-$invariant Dirac Fermion in a static and homogeneous magnetic field $\vec B$. First, in the case of $\vec B$ parallel to the spatial VSR preferred direction $\vec n$, finding that the expression for the energy spectrum stays the same, except for a correction to the mass arising from the VSR contribution. Then, we relax the parallelism condition, finding a new equation for the energy spectrum. We solve this equation perturbatively. With a Penning trap's experiment in mind, we derive the first order VSR corrections to the electron's $g-2$ factor. Finally, using the current errors on the electron's $g$-factor measurements in Penning trap's experiments, we obtain an upper bound to the VSR electron mass parameter, and therefore also to the VSR electronic neutrino mass, of $0.824 \, eV$. This result does not contradict the possibility for VSR to be the origin of neutrino masses.

hep-ph↗