arXiv subjects

Cosimo Bambi

Publications and source records attributed to Cosimo Bambi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Testing relativistic reflection models with GRMHD simulations of accreting black holes

X-ray reflection spectroscopy is currently one of the leading techniques for studying the inner part of accretion disks around black holes, measuring black hole spins, and even testing fundamental physics in strong gravitational fields. However, the accuracy of these measurements depends on the reflection models employed for the spectral analysis, which are sometimes questioned. In this work, we use a general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) code to generate a thin accretion disk in Kerr spacetime and ray-tracing techniques to calculate its relativistically broadened reflection spectrum. We simulate NuSTAR observations and we test the capability of current reflection models based on Novikov-Thorne disks to recover the correct input parameters. Our study shows that we can measure the correct input parameters in the case of high inclination angle sources, while we find some minor discrepancy when the inclination angle of the disk is low.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Testing Gravity with Black Hole X-Ray Data

The analysis of the properties of the X-ray radiation emitted from geometrically thin accretion disks around black holes can be a powerful tool to test General Relativity in the strong field regime. This chapter reviews the state-of-the-art of gravity tests with black hole X-ray data. So far, most efforts have been devoted to test the Kerr hypothesis - namely that the spacetime around astrophysical black holes is described by the Kerr solution - and X-ray data can currently provide among the most stringent constraints on possible deviations from the Kerr geometry. As of now, all X-ray analyses are consistent with the predictions of General Relativity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Probing bumblebee gravity with black hole X-ray data

Bumblebee gravity is one of the simplest gravity theories with spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking. Since we know a rotating black hole solution in bumblebee gravity, we can potentially test this model with the available astrophysical observations of black holes. In this work, we construct a reflection model in bumblebee gravity and we use our model to analyze the reflection features of a NuSTAR spectrum of the Galactic black hole EXO 1846-031 in order to constrain the Lorentz-violating parameter $\ell$. We find that the analysis of the reflection features in the spectrum of EXO 1846-031 cannot constrain the parameter $\ell$ because of a very strong degeneracy between the estimates of $\ell$ and of the black hole spin parameter $a_*$. Such a degeneracy may be broken by combining other observations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Constraining Wormhole Geometries using the Orbit of S2 Star and the Event Horizon Telescope

In this paper we study the possibility of having a wormhole (WH) as a candidate for the Sgr A$^\star$ central object and test this idea by constraining their geometry using the motion of S2 star and the reconstructed shadow images. In particular, we consider three WH models, including WHs in Einstein theory, brane-world gravity, and Einstein-Dirac-Maxwell theory. To this end, we have constrained the WH throat using the motion of S2 star and shown that the flare out condition is satisfied. We also consider the accretion of infalling gas model and study the accretion rate and the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation as well as the shadow images.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

The disk wind in GRS 1915+105 as seen by Insight-HXMT

We analyze three observations of GRS 1915+105 in 2017 by Insight-HXMT when the source was in a spectrally soft state. We find strong absorption lines from highly ionized iron, which are due to absorption by disk wind outflowing at a velocity of $\sim$ 1000 km s$^{-1}$ along our line of sight. Two of the three observations show large amplitude oscillation in their light curves and the variation pattern corresponds to state $κ$ of GRS 1915+105. From time-averaged and flux-resolved analysis, we find that the variation of the ionization state of the disk wind follows the X-ray continuum on timescales from hundreds seconds to months. The radial location of the disk wind is consistent with thermal driving. The mass-loss rate due to the outflowing wind is comparable to the mass accretion rate in the inner disk, which demonstrates the important role of the disk wind in the disk accretion system.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Black Hole Spin Measurements Based on a Thin Disc Model with Finite Thickness I. An example study of MCG-06-30-15

We present a re-analysis of the XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observing campaign for the well-studied, X-ray-bright AGN MCG-06-30-15. In particular, we consider a disc model with finite thickness. By fitting the disc reflection spectra in the data, we obtain a black hole spin of 0.87--0.99 (90\% confidence range) after taking the thickness of the disc into consideration. Spectral models with a grid of mass accretion rate from 0 to $30\%\dot{M}_{\rm Edd}$ are calculated for MCG-06-30-15. This result is obtained by considering a free disc reflection fraction parameter $f_{\rm refl}$ and is consistent with previous measurements based on razor-thin disc models. Besides, an isotropic, point-like geometry, i.e. the `lamppost' geometry, is assumed for the corona in our model. We find that such a geometry overestimates $f_{\rm refl}$ in the data. Therefore, thin disc models with consistent `lamppost' values of $f_{\rm refl}$ provide a worse fit than ones with a free $f_{\rm refl}$ parameter. We discuss possible reasons for the discrepancy between the observed and theoretical values of $f_{\rm refl}$ at the end of the paper. Modifications for the over-simplified lamppost model might be needed when the thickness of the thin disc is considered in future work.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Constraining the Konoplya-Rezzolla-Zhidenko deformation parameters III: limits from stellar-mass black holes using gravitational-wave observations

Gravitational-wave observations of binary black holes provide a suitable arena to test the fundamental nature of gravity in the strong-field regime. Using the data of the inspiral of 29 events detected by the LIGO-Virgo observatories, we perform a theory-agnostic test of the Kerr hypothesis. We compute the leading-order deviation to the gravitational waves emitted in the frequency domain and provide constraints on two deformation parameters ($δ_1$ and $δ_2$) belonging to a general class of axisymmetric non-Kerr black hole spacetimes proposed by Konoplya, Rezzolla & Zhidenko. Our study shows that all the analyzed events are consistent with the Kerr hypothesis. The LIGO-Virgo data provide stronger constraints on $δ_1$ and $δ_2$ than those obtained in our previous studies with X-ray data (Papers I and II), while, on the other hand, they cannot constrain the other deformation parameters of the Konoplya-Rezzolla-Zhidenko metric ($δ_3$, $δ_4$, $δ_5$, and $δ_6$).

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Rapidly alternating flux states of GX 339-4 during its 2021 outburst captured by Insight-HXMT

The low mass X-ray binary GX 339-4 went into a new outburst in 2021. At the end of the hard to soft transition of this outburst, Insight-HXMT found that the source rapidly alternated between low flux and high flux states on a timescale of hours. Two high flux states lasted only for a period comparable to the orbital period of the observatory. Time-resolved spectral analysis shows that the sudden changes of flux are confined in the hard X-ray band (>4 keV). The variable non-thermal emission, including the power-law continuum from the corona and the reflected emission from the inner accretion disk, is responsible for the observed variability. The strength of disk thermal emission and the inner radius of the accretion disk are consistent between the two flux states. Assuming the lamppost geometry, our best-fit disk reflection models suggest a very low corona height (within 3 $R_{\rm g}$) and there is no evidence of significant variation in the corona geometry either. The observed rapidly alternating flux states suggest that the intrinsic power of the corona must change during the state transition. We discuss possible mechanisms for the observed sudden changes in the coronal power of GX 339-4.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

The spins of the Galactic black holes in MAXI J1535-571 and 4U 1630-472 from Insight-HXMT

Insight-HXMT is the first Chinese X-ray astronomical mission. With a 1-250 keV bandpass, an energy resolution of 150 eV at 6 keV, and without being subject to pile-up distortions, it is suitable to study bright X-ray sources like Galactic black holes. In the present paper, we study Insight-HXMT observations of the X-ray binaries MAXI J1535-571 and 4U 1630-472 during their outbursts in 2017 and 2020, respectively. From the analysis of the reflection features, we are able to infer the black hole spin parameter in the two sources. For MAXI J1535-571, we find a spin parameter very close to 1, $a_* = 0.9916 \pm 0.0012$ (90% C.L., statistical error), which is consistent with the previous NuSTAR measurement. For 4U 1630-472, we find a moderately high value of the black hole spin parameter, $a_* =0.817 \pm 0.014$ (90% C.L., statistical error), which is lower than the almost extremal value found with NuSTAR data.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Reflection spectra of accretion disks illuminated by disk-like coronae

Relativistic reflection features in the X-ray spectra of black hole binaries and AGNs are thought to be produced through illumination of a cold accretion disk by a hot corona. In this work, we assume that the corona has the shape of an infinitesimally thin disk with its central axis the same as the rotational axis of the black hole. The corona can either be static or corotate with the accretion disk. We calculate the disk's emissivity profiles and iron line shapes for a set of coronal radii and heights. We incorporate these emissivity profiles into RELXILL_NK and we simulate some observations of a black hole binary with NuSTAR to study the impact of a disk-like coronal geometry on the measurement of the properties of the system and, in particular, on the possibility of testing the Kerr nature of the source. We find that, in general, the astrophysical properties of the accretion disk are recovered well even if we fit the data with a model employing a broken power-law or a lamppost emissivity profile, while it is more challenging to constrain the geometric properties of the black hole spacetime.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Testing the Kerr black hole hypothesis with GRS 1716-249 by combining the continuum-fitting and the iron-line methods

The continuum-fitting and the iron-line methods are currently the two leading techniques for measuring the spins of accreting black holes. In the past few years, these two methods have been developed for testing fundamental physics. In the present work, we employ state-of-the-art models to test black holes through the continuum-fitting and the iron-line methods and we analyze three NuSTAR observations of the black hole binary GRS 1716-249 during its outburst in 2016-2017. In these three observations, the source was in a hard-intermediate state and the spectra show both a strong thermal component and prominent relativistic reflection features. Our analysis confirms the Kerr nature of the black hole in GRS 1716-249 and provides quite stringent constraints on possible deviations from the predictions of general relativity.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Testing the Kerr black hole hypothesis with the continuum-fitting and the iron line methods: the case of GRS 1915+105

The continuum-fitting and the iron line methods are currently the two leading techniques for probing the strong gravity region around accreting black holes. In the present work, we test the Kerr black hole hypothesis with the stellar-mass black hole in GRS 1915+105 by analyzing five disk-dominated RXTE spectra and one reflection-dominated Suzaku spectrum. The combination of the constraints from the continuum-fitting and the iron line methods has the potential to provide more stringent tests of the Kerr metric. Our constraint on the Johannsen deformation parameter $α_{13}$ is $-0.15 < α_{13} < 0.14$ at 3$σ$, where the Kerr metric is recovered when $α_{13} = 0$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

A reflection model with a radial disk density profile

In this paper we present RELXILLDGRAD_NK, a relativistic reflection model in which the electron density of the accretion disk is allowed to have a radial power-law profile. The ionization parameter has also a non-constant radial profile and is calculated self-consistently from the electron density and the emissivity. We show the impact of the implementation of the electron density gradient in our model by analyzing a NuSTAR spectrum of the Galactic black hole in EXO 1846-031 during its last outburst in 2019 and a putative future observation of the same source with Athena and eXTP. For the NuSTAR spectrum, we find that the new model provides a better fit, but there is no significant difference in the estimation of the model parameters. For the Athena+eXTP simulation, we find that a model without a disk density profile is unsuitable to test the spacetime metric around the compact object, in the sense that modeling uncertainties can incorrectly lead to finding a non-vanishing deformation from the Kerr solution.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Tests of General Relativity using black hole X-ray data

The theory of General Relativity has successfully passed a large number of observational tests. The theory has been extensively tested in the weak-field regime with experiments in the Solar System and observations of binary pulsars. Recently, there have seen significant advancements in the study of the strong-field regime, which can now be tested with gravitational waves, X-ray data, and mm Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations. Here we summarize the state-of-the-art of the tests of General Relativity with black hole X-ray data, discussing its recent progress and future developments.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Constraining the Konoplya-Rezzolla-Zhidenko deformation parameters II: limits from stellar-mass black hole X-ray data

Astrophysical black holes are thought to be the Kerr black holes predicted by general relativity, but macroscopic deviations from the Kerr solution can be expected from a number of scenarios involving new physics. In Paper I, we studied the reflection features in NuSTAR and XMM-Newton spectra of the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy MCG-06-30-15 and we constrained a set of deformation parameters proposed by Konoplya, Rezzolla & Zhidenko (Phys. Rev. D93, 064015, 2016). In the present work, we analyze the X-ray data of a stellar-mass black hole within the same theoretical framework in order to probe a different curvature regime. We consider a NuSTAR observation of the X-ray binary EXO 1846-031 during its outburst in 2019. As in the case of Paper I, all our fits are consistent with the Kerr black hole hypothesis, but some deformation parameters cannot be constrained well.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Dynamics and Fundamental Frequencies of Test Particles Orbiting Kerr-Newman-NUT-Kiselev Blacks Hole in Rastall Gravity

The spacetime properties in the exterior of the Kerr-Newman-NUT-Kiselev black hole in the Rastall theory of gravity, through particle dynamics are investigated with the aim to find possible degeneracy of the different black hole parameters. We show that the effective potential, the energy, and the angular momentum of a test particle moving in the spacetime of such a black hole strongly depend on the central black hole parameters. We also evaluate the innermost stable circular orbit radii of test particles and show how the spacetime parameters can act on them. Further, we show the results for the fundamental frequencies of test particles moving at small distances from the circular orbits in the equatorial plane. We demonstrate that change in the Rastall parameter $κλ$, can make the radial epicyclic frequency to become zero at larger distances from the central source. We also notice that for the vertical epicyclic frequencies, in the case of the Kerr-Newman-NUT-Kiselev black hole in the Rastall theory of gravity lower frequencies are observed as compared to the frequencies observed in the case of the Kerr black hole. Finally, we show that for the Kerr-Newman-NUT-Kiselev black hole in the Rastall gravity, the Keplerian frequencies are almost identical with the frequencies noticed in the case of the Kerr black hole and the difference between the two can only be observed in the regions in a very close vicinity to the central black hole, studied in the present work.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Particle motion around a static axially symmetric wormhole

We consider the properties of a static axially symmetric wormhole described by an exact solution of Einstein's field equations and investigate how we can distinguish such a hypothetical object from a black hole. To this aim, we explore the motion of test particles and photons in the wormhole's space-time and compare it with the particle dynamics in the well known space-times of Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes. We show that precise simultaneous measurement of test particle motion and photon motion may provide the means to distinguish the wormhole geometry from that of a black hole.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Motion of Particles and Gravitational Lensing Around (2+1)-dimensional BTZ black holes in Gauss-Bonnet Gravity

We study motion of test particles and photons in the vicinity of (2+1) dimensional Gauss-Bonnet (GB) BTZ black hole. We find that the presence of the coupling constant serves as an attractive gravitational charge, shifting the innermost stable circular orbits outward with respect to the one for this theory in 4 dimensions. Further we consider the gravitational lensing, to test the GB gravity in (2+1) dimensions and show that the presence of GB parameter causes the bending angle to grow up first with the increase of the inverse of closest approach distance, $u_0$, then have its maximum value for specific $u_0^*$, and then reduce until zero. We also show that increase in the value of the GB parameter makes the bending angle smaller and the increase in the absolute value of the negative cosmological constant produces opposite effect on this angle.

gr-qc↗