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D. Rubiera-Garcia

Publications and source records attributed to D. Rubiera-Garcia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

White Paper and Roadmap for Quantum Gravity Phenomenology in the Multi-Messenger Era

The unification of quantum mechanics and general relativity has long been elusive. Only recently have empirical predictions of various possible theories of quantum gravity been put to test, where a clear signal of quantum properties of gravity is still missing. The dawn of multi-messenger high-energy astrophysics has been tremendously beneficial, as it allows us to study particles with much higher energies and travelling much longer distances than possible in terrestrial experiments, but more progress is needed on several fronts. A thorough appraisal of current strategies and experimental frameworks, regarding quantum gravity phenomenology, is provided here. Our aim is twofold: a description of tentative multimessenger explorations, plus a focus on future detection experiments. As the outlook of the network of researchers that formed through the COST Action CA18108 ``Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach (QG-MM)'', in this work we give an overview of the desiderata that future theoretical frameworks, observational facilities, and data-sharing policies should satisfy in order to advance the cause of quantum gravity phenomenology.

gr-qc

The optical appearance of a nonsingular de Sitter core black hole geometry under several thin disk emissions

We consider the optical appearance under a thin accretion disk of a regular black hole with a central de Sitter core implementing $\mathcal{O}(l^2/r^2)$ far-corrections to the Schwarzschild black hole. We use the choice $l=0.25M$, which satisfies recently found constraints from the motion of the S2 star around Sgr A$^*$ in this model, and which leads to thermodynamically stable black holes. As the emission model, we suitably adapt ten samples of the Standard Unbound emission profile for a monochromatic intensity in the disk's frame, which have been previously employed in the literature within the context of reproducing General Relativistic Magneto-Hydrodynamic simulations of the accretion flow. We find the usual central brightness depression surrounded by the bright ring cast by the disk's direct emission as well as two non-negligible photon ring contributions. As compared to the usual Schwarzschild solution, the relative luminosities of the latter are significantly boosted, while the size of the former is strongly decreased. We discuss the entanglement of the background geometry and the choice of emission model in generating these black hole images, as well as the capability of these modifications of Schwarzschild solution to pass present and future tests based on their optical appearance when illuminated by an accretion disk.

gr-qc

Some Recent Results on Ricci-Based Gravity Theories

Metric-affine theories in which the gravity Lagrangian is built using (projectively invariant) contractions of the Ricci tensor with itself and with the metric (Ricci-Based Gravity theories, or RBGs for short) are reviewed. The goal is to provide a contextualized and coherent presentation of some recent results. In particular, we focus on the correspondence that exists between the field equations of these theories and those of general relativity, and comment on how this can be used to build new solutions of physical interest. We also discuss the formalism of junction conditions in the $f(R)$ case, and provide a brief summary on current experimental and observational bounds on model parameters.

gr-qc

Structure and thermodynamics of charged nonrotating black holes in higher dimensions

We analyze the structural and thermodynamic properties of $D$-dimensional ($D \geq 4$), asymptotically flat or Anti-de-Sitter, electrically charged black hole solutions, resulting from the minimal coupling of general nonlinear electrodynamics to General Relativity. This analysis deals with static spherically symmetric (elementary) configurations with spherical horizons. Our methods are based on the study of the behaviour (in vacuum and on the boundary of their domain of definition) of the Lagrangian density functions characterizing the nonlinear electrodynamic models in flat spacetime. These functions are constrained by some admissibility conditions endorsing the physical consistency of the corresponding theories, which are classified in several families, some of them supporting elementary solutions in flat space which are non topological solitons. This classification induces a similar one for the elementary black hole solutions of the associated gravitating nonlinear electrodynamics, whose geometrical structures are thoroughly explored. A consistent thermodynamic analysis can be developed for the subclass of families whose associated black hole solutions behave asymptotically as the Schwarzschild metric (in absence of a cosmological term). In these cases we obtain the behaviour of the main thermodynamic functions, as well as important finite relations among them. In particular, we find the general equation determining the set of extreme black holes for every model, and a general Smarr formula, valid for the set of elementary black hole solutions of such models. We also consider the one-parameter group of scale transformations, which are symmetries of the field equations of any nonlinear electrodynamics in flat spacetime.

gr-qc

Metric-affine f(R,T) theories of gravity and their applications

We study f(R,T) theories of gravity, where T is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor T_{μν}, with independent metric and affine connection (metric-affine theories). We find that the resulting field equations share a close resemblance with their metric-affine f(R) relatives once an effective energy-momentum tensor is introduced. As a result, the metric field equations are second-order and no new propagating degrees of freedom arise as compared to GR, which contrasts with the metric formulation of these theories, where a dynamical scalar degree of freedom is present. Analogously to its metric counterpart, the field equations impose the non-conservation of the energy-momentum tensor, which implies non-geodesic motion and consequently leads to the appearance of an extra force. The weak field limit leads to a modified Poisson equation formally identical to that found in Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity. Furthermore, the coupling of these gravity theories to perfect fluids, electromagnetic, and scalar fields, and their potential applications are discussed.

gr-qc

Mapping Ricci-based theories of gravity into general relativity

We show that the space of solutions of a wide family of Ricci-based metric-affine theories of gravity can be put into correspondence with the space of solutions of general relativity (GR). This allows us to use well-established methods and results from GR to explore new gravitational physics beyond it.

gr-qc

Nonsingular black holes, wormholes, and de Sitter cores from anisotropic fluids

We study Born-Infeld gravity coupled to an anisotropic fluid in a static, spherically symmetric background. The free function characterizing the fluid is selected on the following grounds: i) recovery of the Reissner-Nordström solution of GR at large distances, ii) fulfillment of classical energy conditions and iii) inclusion of models of nonlinear electrodynamics as particular examples. Four branches of solutions are obtained, depending on the signs of two parameters on the gravity and matter sectors. On each branch, we discuss in detail the modifications on the innermost region of the corresponding solutions, which provides a plethora of configurations, including nonsingular black holes and naked objects, wormholes and de Sitter cores. The regular character of these configurations is discussed according to the completeness of geodesics and the behaviour of curvature scalars.

gr-qc

Scalar geons in Born-Infeld gravity

The existence of static, spherically symmetric, self-gravitating scalar field solutions in the context of Born-Infeld gravity is explored. Upon a combination of analytical approximations and numerical methods, the equations for a free scalar field (without a potential term) are solved, verifying that the solutions recover the predictions of General Relativity far from the center but finding important new effects in the central regions. We find two classes of objects depending on the ratio between the Schwarzschild radius and a length scale associated to the Born-Infeld theory: massive solutions have a wormhole structure, with their throat at $r\approx 2M$, while for the lighter configurations the topology is Euclidean. The total energy density of these solutions exhibits a solitonic profile with a maximum peaked away from the center, and located at the throat whenever a wormhole exists. The geodesic structure and curvature invariants are analyzed for the various configurations considered.

gr-qc

Geodesically complete BTZ-type solutions of $2+1$ Born-Infeld gravity

We study Born-Infeld gravity coupled to a static, nonrotating electric field in $2+1$ dimensions and find exact analytical solutions. Two families of such solutions represent geodesically complete, and hence nonsingular, spacetimes. Another family represents a point-like charge with a singularity at the center. Despite the absence of rotation, these solutions resemble the charged, rotating BTZ solution of General Relativity but with a richer structure in terms of horizons. The nonsingular character of the first two families turn out to be attached to the emergence of a wormhole structure on their innermost region. This seems to be a generic prediction of extensions of General Relativity formulated in metric-affine (or Palatini) spaces, where metric and connection are regarded as independent degrees of freedom.

hep-th

Black hole solutions in functional extensions of Born-Infeld gravity

We consider electrovacuum black hole spacetimes in classical extensions of Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity. By rewriting Born-Infeld action as the square root of the determinant of a matrix $\hatΩ$, we consider the family of models $f (|\hatΩ|)$, and study black hole solutions for a power-law family of models labelled by a simple parameter. We show how the innermost structure of the corresponding black holes is modified as compared to their General Relativity counterparts, discussing in which cases a wormhole structure replaces the point-like singularity. We go forward to argue that in such cases a geodesically complete and thus non-singular spacetime is present, despite the existence of curvature divergences at the wormhole throat.

gr-qc

Wormholes and nonsingular space-times in Palatini $f(R)$ gravity

We reconsider the problem of $f(R)$ theories of gravity coupled to Born-Infeld theory of electrodynamics formulated in a Palatini approach, where metric and connection are independent fields. By studying electrovacuum configurations in a static and spherically symmetric space-time, we find solutions which reduce to their Reissner-Nordström counterparts at large distances but undergo important non-perturbative modifications close to the center. Our new analysis reveals that the point-like singularity is replaced by a finite-size wormhole structure, which provides a geodesically complete and thus nonsingular space-time, despite the existence of curvature divergences at the wormhole throat. Implications of these results, in particular for the cosmic censorship conjecture, are discussed.

gr-qc

Classical resolution of black hole singularities via wormholes

In certain extensions of General Relativity, wormholes generated by spherically symmetric electric fields can resolve black hole singularities without necessarily removing curvature divergences. This is shown by studying geodesic completeness, the behavior of time-like congruences going through the divergent region, and by means of scattering of waves off the wormhole. This provides an example of the logical independence between curvature divergences and space-time singularities, concepts very often identified with each other in the literature.ns of curvature divergences in the context of space-time singularities.

hep-th

Impact of curvature divergences on physical observers in a wormhole space-time with horizons

The impact of curvature divergences on physical observers in a black hole space-time which, nonetheless, is geodesically complete is investigated. This space-time is an exact solution of certain extensions of General Relativity coupled to Maxwell's electrodynamics and, roughly speaking, consists on two Reissner-Nordström (or Schwarzschild or Minkowski) geometries connected by a spherical wormhole near the center. We find that, despite the existence of infinite tidal forces, causal contact is never lost among the elements making up the observer. This suggests that curvature divergences may not be as pathological as traditionally thought.

hep-th

Thick brane in $f(R)$ gravity with Palatini dynamics

This work deals with modified gravity in five dimensional spacetime. We study a thick Palatini $f(R)$ brane, that is, a braneworld scenario described by an anti-de Sitter warped geometry with a single extra dimension of infinite extent, sourced by real scalar field under the Palatini approach, where the metric and the connection are regarded as independent degrees of freedom. We consider a first-order framework which we use to provide exact solutions for the scalar field and warp factor. We also investigate a perturbative scenario such that the Palatini approach is implemented through a Lagrangian $f(R)=R+εR^n$, where the small parameter $ε$ controls the deviation from the standard thick brane case.

hep-th

Robustness of braneworld scenarios against tensorial perturbations

Inspired by the peculiarities of the effective geometry of crystalline structures, we reconsider thick brane scenarios from a metric-affine perspective. We show that for a rather general family of theories of gravity, whose Lagrangian is an arbitrary function of the metric and the Ricci tensor, the background and scalar field equations can be written in first-order form, and tensorial perturbations have a non negative definite spectrum, which makes them stable under linear perturbations regardless of the form of the gravity Lagrangian. We find, in particular, that the tensorial zero modes are exactly the same as predicted by Einstein's theory regardless of the scalar field and gravitational Lagrangians.

hep-th

Nonsingular Black Holes in $f(R)$ Theories

We study the structure of a family of static, spherically symmetric space-times generated by an anisotropic fluid and governed by a particular type of $f(R)$ theory. We find that for a range of parameters with physical interest, such solutions represent black holes with the central singularity replaced by a finite size wormhole. We show that time-like geodesics and null geodesics with nonzero angular momentum never reach the wormhole throat due to an infinite potential barrier. For null radial geodesics, it takes an infinite affine time to reach the wormhole. This means that the resulting space-time is geodesically complete and, therefore, nonsingular despite the generic existence of curvature divergences at the wormhole throat.

hep-th

Geodesic completeness in a wormhole spacetime with horizons

The geometry of a spacetime containing a wormhole generated by a spherically symmetric electric field is investigated in detail. These solutions arise in high-energy extensions of General Relativity formulated within the Palatini approach and coupled to Maxwell electrodynamics. Even though curvature divergences generically arise at the wormhole throat, we find that these spacetimes are geodesically complete. This provides an explicit example where curvature divergences do not imply spacetime singularities.

hep-th

Topological vortices in generalized Born-Infeld-Higgs electrodynamics

A consistent BPS formalism to study the existence of topological axially symmetric vortices in generalized versions of the Born-Infeld-Higgs electrodynamics is implemented. Such a generalization modifies the field dynamics via introduction of three non-negative functions depending only in the Higgs field, namely, $G(|ϕ|)$, $w(|ϕ|) $ and $V(|ϕ|)$. A set of first-order differential equations is attained when these functions satisfy a constraint related to the Ampere law. Such a constraint allows to minimize the system energy in such way that it becomes proportional to the magnetic flux. Our results provides an enhancement of topological vortex solutions in Born-Infeld-Higgs electrodynamics. Finally, we analyze a set of models such that a generalized version of Maxwell-Higgs electrodynamics is recovered in a certain limit of the theory.

hep-th