arXiv subjects

Betti Hartmann

Publications and source records attributed to Betti Hartmann.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Gauss-Bonnet boson stars

We construct boson stars in (4+1)-dimensional Gauss-Bonnet gravity. We study the properties of the solutions in dependence on the coupling constants and investigate these in detail. While the "thick wall" limit is independent of the value of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling, we find that the spiraling behaviour characteristic for boson stars in standard Einstein gravity disappears for large enough values of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling. Our results show that in this case the scalar field can not have arbitrarily high values at the center of the boson star and that it is hence impossible to reach the "thin wall" limit. Moreover, for large enough Gauss-Bonnet coupling we find a unique relation between the mass and the radius (qualitatively similar to those of neutron stars) which is not present in the Einstein gravity limit.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Stability of black holes and solitons in Anti-de Sitter space-time

The stability of black holes and solitons in d-dimensional Anti-de Sitter space-time against scalar field condensation is discussed. The resulting solutions are "hairy" black holes and solitons, respectively. In particular, we will discuss static black hole solutions with hyperbolic, flat and spherical horizon topology and emphasize that two different type of instabilities exist depending on whether the scalar field is charged or uncharged, respectively. We will also discuss the influence of Gauss-Bonnet curvature terms. The results have applications within the AdS/CFT correspondence and describe e.g. holographic insulator/conductor/superconductor phase transitions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Stability of charged solitons and formation of boson stars in 5-dimensional Anti-de Sitter space-time

We study the stability of charged solitons in 5-dimensional Anti-de Sitter (AdS) space-time. We show that for appropriate choices of the parameters of the model these solutions become unstable to form scalar hair. We find that the existence of charged solitons with scalar hair depends crucially on the charge and the mass of the scalar field. We investigate the dependence of the spectrum of solutions on the mass of the scalar field in detail. For positive mass of the scalar field the hairy solitons can be interpreted as charged boson stars. We find that for sufficiently small value of the charge of the scalar field a "forbidden band" of the boson star mass and charge exists, while all our results indicate that - contrary to the asymptotically flat space-time case - boson stars in asymptotically AdS can have arbitrarily large charge and mass.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Formation of scalar hair on Gauss-Bonnet solitons and black holes

We discuss the formation of scalar hair on Gauss-Bonnet solitons and black holes in 5-dimensional Anti-de Sitter (AdS) space-time. We present new results on the static case and point out further details. We find that the presence of the Gauss-Bonnet term has an influence on the pattern of soliton solutions for small enough values of the electric charge. We also discuss rotating Gauss-Bonnet black holes with and without scalar hair.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Geodesic motion in the space-time of a non-compact boson star

We study the geodesic motion of test particles in the space-time of non-compact boson stars. These objects are made of a self-interacting scalar field and -- depending on the scalar field's mass -- can be as dense as neutron stars or even black holes. In contrast to the former these objects do not contain a well-defined surface, while in contrast to the latter the space-time of boson stars is globally regular, can -- however -- only be given numerically. Hence, the geodesic equation also has to be studied numerically. We discuss the possible orbits for massive and massless test particles and classify them according to the particle's energy and angular momentum. The space-time of a boson star approaches the Schwarzschild space-time asymptotically, however deviates strongly from it close to the center of the star. As a consequence, we find additional bound orbits of massive test particles close to the center of the star that are not present in the Schwarzschild case. Our results can be used to make predictions about extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) and we hence compare our results to recent observational data of the stars orbiting Sagittarius A* - the radiosource at the center of our own galaxy.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Gravitating cosmic strings with flat directions

We study field theoretical models for cosmic strings with flat directions in curved space-time. More precisely, we consider minimal models with semilocal, axionic and tachyonic strings, respectively. In flat space-time, the string solutions of these models have a flat direction, i.e., a uniparametric family of configurations with the same energy exists which is associated to a zero mode. We prove that the zero mode survives coupling to gravity, and study the role of the flat direction when coupling the strings to gravity. Even though the total energy of the solution is the same, and thus the global properties of the family of solutions remains unchanged, the energy density, and therefore the gravitational properties, are different. The local structure of the solutions depends strongly on the value of the parameter describing the flat direction; for example, for supermassive strings, the value of the free parameter can determine the size of the universe.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Supersymmetric Q-balls and boson stars in (d+1) dimensions

We construct supersymmetric Q-balls and boson stars in (d+1) dimensions. These non-topological solitons are solutions of a scalar field model with global U(1) symmetry and a scalar field potential that appears in gauge-mediated supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking in the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM). We are interested in both the asymptotically flat as well as in the asymptotically Anti-de Sitter (AdS) solutions. In particular, we show that for our choice of the potential gravitating, asymptotically flat boson stars exist in (2+1) dimensions. We observe that the behaviour of the mass and charge of the asymptotically flat solutions at the approach of the maximal frequency depends strongly on the number of spatial dimensions. For the asymptotically AdS solutions, the model on the conformal boundary can be interpreted as describing d-dimensional condensates of scalar glueballs.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Can type II Semi-local cosmic strings form?

We present the simplest possible model for a semi-local string defect in which a U(1) gauged subgroup of an otherwise global SU(2) is broken to produce local cosmic strings endowed with current-carrying properties. Restricting attention to type II vortices for which the non current-carrying state is unstable, we show that a condensate must form microscopically and macroscopically evolve towards a chiral configuration. It has been suggested that such configurations could potentially exist in a stable state, thereby inducing large cosmological consequences based on equilibrium angular momentum supported loop configurations (vortons). Here we show that the current itself induces a macroscopic (longitudinal) instability: we conclude that type II semi-local cosmic strings cannot form in a cosmological context.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Gravitating superconducting strings with timelike or spacelike currents

We construct gravitating superconducting string solutions of the U(1)_{local} x U(1)_{global} model solving the coupled system of Einstein and matter field equations numerically. We study the properties of these solutions in dependence on the ratio between the symmetry breaking scale and the Planck mass. Using the macroscopic stability conditions formulated by Carter, we observe that the coupling to gravity allows for a new stable region that is not present in the flat space-time limit. We match the asymptotic metric to the Kasner metric and show that the relations between the Kasner coefficients and the energy per unit length and tension suggested previously are well fulfilled for symmetry breaking scale much smaller than the Planck mass. We also study the solutions to the geodesic equation in this space-time. While geodesics in the exterior space-time of standard cosmic strings are just straight lines, test particles experience a force in a general Kasner space-time and as such bound orbits are possible.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Geodesic motion in the space-time of cosmic strings interacting via magnetic fields

We study the geodesic motion of test particles in the space-time of two Abelian-Higgs strings interacting via their magnetic fields. These bound states of cosmic strings constitute a field theoretical realization of p-q-strings which are predicted by inflationary models rooted in String Theory, e.g. brane inflation. In contrast to previously studied models describing p-q-strings our model possesses a Bogomolnyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) limit. If cosmic strings exist it would be exciting to detect them by direct observation. We propose that this can be done by the observation of test particle motion in the space-time of these objects. In order to be able to make predictions we have to solve the field equations describing the configuration as well as the geodesic equation numerically. The geodesics can then be classified according to the test particle's energy, angular momentum and momentum along the string axis. We find that the interaction of two Abelian-Higgs strings can lead to the existence of bound orbits that would be absent without the interaction. We also discuss the minimal and maximal radius of orbits and comment on possible applications in the context of gravitational wave emission.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Hairy charged Gauss-Bonnet solitons and black holes

We study the stability of (4+1)-dimensional charged Gauss-Bonnet black holes and solitons. We observe an instability related to the condensation of a scalar field and construct explicit "hairy" black hole and soliton solutions of the full system of coupled field equations. We investigate the cases of a massless scalar field as well as that of a tachyonic scalar field. The solitons with scalar hair exist for a particular range of the charge and the gauge coupling. This range is such that for intermediate values of the gauge coupling a "forbidden band" of charges for the hairy solitons exists. We also discuss the behaviour of the black holes with scalar hair when changing the horizon radius and/or the gauge coupling and find that various scenarios at the approach of a limiting solution appear. One observation is that hairy Gauss-Bonnet black holes never tend to a regular soliton solution in the limit of vanishing horizon radius. We also prove that extremal Gauss-Bonnet black holes can not carry massless or tachyonic scalar hair and show that our solutions tend to their planar counterparts for large charges.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Glueball condensates as holographic duals of supersymmetric Q-balls and boson stars

We study non-spinning Q-balls and boson stars in 4-dimensional Anti-de Sitter (AdS) space-time. We use an exponential scalar field potential that appears in gauge-mediated supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking in the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (MSSM). We investigate the dependence of the charge and mass of these non-topological solitons on the negative cosmological constant, the frequency that appears in the periodic time-dependence as well as on the ratio between the SUSY breaking scale and the Planck mass. Next to fundamental solutions without nodes in the scalar field function we also construct radially excited solutions. In the second part of the paper we put the emphasis on the holographic interpretation of these solutions in terms of Bose-Einstein condensates of scalar glueballs that are described by a strongly coupled Quantum Field Theory (QFT) on the boundary of global AdS.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Compact Boson Stars

We consider compact boson stars that arise for a V-shaped scalar field potential. They represent a one parameter family of solutions of the scaled Einstein-signum-Gordon equations. We analyze the physical properties of these solutions and determine their domain of existence. Along their physically relevant branch emerging from the compact Q-ball solution, their mass increases with increasing radius. Empoying arguments from catastrophe theory we argue that this branch is stable, until the maximal value of the mass is reached. There the mass and size are on the order of magnitude of the Schwarzschild limit, and thus the spiralling respectively oscillating behaviour, well-known for compact stars, sets in.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Hyperelliptic integrals and Hořava-Lifshitz black hole space-times

The description of many dynamical problems like the particle motion in higher dimensional spherically and axially symmetric space-times is reduced to the inversion of hyperelliptic integrals of all three kinds. The result of the inversion is defined locally, using the algebro-geometric techniques of the standard Jacobi inversion problem and the foregoing restriction to the $θ$-divisor. For a representation of the hyperelliptic functions the Klein--Weierstraß multivariable $σ$-function is introduced. It is shown that all parameters needed for the calculations like period matrices and abelian images of branch points can be expressed in terms of the periods of holomorphic differentials and $θ$-constants. The cases of genus two, three and four are considered in detail. The method is exemplified by the particle motion associated with genus one elliptic and genus three hyperelliptic curves. Applications are for instance solutions to the geodesic equations in the space-times of static, spherically symmetric Hořava-Lifshitz black holes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Stability of superconducting strings coupled to cosmic strings

We study the stability of superconducting strings in a U(1)_{local} x U(1)_{global} model coupled via a gauge field interaction term to U(1) Abelian-Higgs strings. The effect of the interaction on current stability is numerically investigated by varying the relevant parameters within the physical limits of our model. We find that the propagation speed of transverse (resp. longitudinal) perturbations increases (decreases) with increasing binding between the superconducting and Abelian-Higgs string. Moreover, we observe that for small enough width of the flux tube of the superconducting string and/or large enough interaction between the superconducting and the Abelian-Higgs string superconducting strings cannot carry space-like, i.e. magnetic currents. Our model can be seen as a field theoretical realization of bound states of p F-strings and q superconducting D-strings and has important implications to vorton formation during the evolution of networks of such strings.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Particle motion in Horava-Lifshitz black hole space-times

We study the particle motion in the space-time of a Kehagias-Sfetsos (KS) black hole. This is a static spherically symmetric solution of a Horava-Lifshitz gravity model that reduces to General Relativity in the IR limit and deviates slightly from detailed balance. Taking the viewpoint that the model is essentially a (3+1)-dimensional modification of General Relativity we use the geodesic equation to determine the motion of massive and massless particles. We solve the geodesic equation exactly by using numerical techniques. We find that neither massless nor massive particles with non-vanishing angular momentum can reach the singularity at r=0. Next to bound and escape orbits that are also present in the Schwarzschild space-time we find that new types of orbits exist: manyworld bound orbits as well as two-world escape orbits. We also discuss observables such as the perihelion shift and the light deflection.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Stability of Gauss-Bonnet black holes in Anti-de-Sitter space-time against scalar field condensation

We study the stability of static, hyperbolic Gauss-Bonnet black holes in (4+1)-dimensional Anti-de-Sitter (AdS) space-time against the formation of scalar hair. Close to extremality the black holes possess a near-horizon topology of AdS_2 x H^3 such that within a certain range of the scalar field mass one would expect that they become unstable to the condensation of an uncharged scalar field. We confirm this numerically and observe that there exists a family of hairy black hole solutions labelled by the number of nodes of the scalar field function. We construct explicit examples of solutions with a scalar field that possesses zero nodes, one node and two nodes, respectively, and show that the solutions with nodes persist in the limit of Einstein gravity, i.e. for vanishing Gauss-Bonnet coupling. We observe that the interval of the mass for which scalar field condensation appears decreases with increasing Gauss-Bonnet coupling and/or with increasing node number.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Holographic superfluid/fluid/insulator phase transitions in 2+1 dimensions

We study the breaking of an Abelian symmetry close to the horizon of a black string as well as close to the tip of a solitonic, cigar-shaped solution in (3+1)-dimensional Anti-de Sitter space-time. We use these solutions to describe holographic superfluids away from the probe limit, i.e. taking backreaction into account. We observe that up to four phases exist in this model representing the duals of black string solutions with and without scalar hair and solitonic, cigar-shaped solutions with and without scalar hair, respectively. We construct the full phase diagram that describes the phase transitions between fluids and superfluids, between insulators and superfluids as well as between insulators and fluids. In the probe limit the phase transition from fluids to black string superfluids changes from being second order to first order for sufficiently large values of the superfluid velocity and/or the angular momentum of the dual black string. We find that if we take backreaction into account phase transitions that are first order for weak backreaction become again second order for sufficiently strong backreaction. Moreover, we find a new type of insulator/superfluid phase transition for strong backreaction and vanishing superfluid velocity as well as a new type of fluid/superfluid phase transition that exists only for non-vanishing superfluid velocity.

hep-th↗