arXiv subjects

Darío Núñez

Publications and source records attributed to Darío Núñez.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

On the role of magnetic fields into the dynamics and gravitational wave emission of binary neutron stars

Modelling as a dipole the magnetic interaction of a binary system of neutron stars, we are able to include the magnetic effects in the Newtonian and in the inspiral dynamics of the system using an equivalent one-body description. Furthermore, in the inspiral stage we determine the role of the magnetic interaction in the waveforms generated by the system and obtain explicit formulas for the decrease in the separation of the stars, the time to reach a minimal radius, the gravitational luminosity and the change of gravitational wave frequency, all this within the quadrupole approximation. For the magnitude of the magnetic field that is consider to exist in these binaries $\sim 10^{16} {\rm G}$ we are able to show that its effect on the observable quantities is of the order of the 2PN correction, already close to the detection range of the gravitational waves observatories. %} We also discuss cases in which the magnetic field could have a more significant influence.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Long-wavelength non-linear perturbations of a complex scalar field

We study the evolution of nonlinear superhorizon perturbations in a universe dominated by a complex scalar field. The analysis is performed adopting the gradient expansion approach, in the constant mean curvature slicing. We derive general solutions valid to second order in the ratio $H^{-1}/L$ for scalar field inhomogeneities of size $L$ subject to an arbitrary canonical potential. We work out explicit solutions for the quadratic and the quartic potentials, and discuss their relevance in setting initial conditions required for the simulations of Primordial Black Hole formation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Accretion of a Vlasov gas on to a black hole from a sphere of finite radius and the role of angular momentum

The accretion of a spherically symmetric, collisionless kinetic gas cloud on to a Schwarzschild black hole is analysed. Whereas previous studies have treated this problem by specifying boundary conditions at infinity, here the properties of the gas are given at a sphere of finite radius. The corresponding steady-state solutions are computed using four different models with an increasing level of sophistication, starting with the purely radial infall of Newtonian particles and culminating with a fully general relativistic calculation in which individual particles have angular momentum. The resulting mass accretion rates are analysed and compared with previous models, including the standard Bondi model for a hydrodynamic flow. We apply our models to the supermassive black holes Sgr A* and M87*, and we discuss how their low luminosity could be partially explained by a kinetic description involving angular momentum. Furthermore, we get results consistent with previous model-dependent bounds for the accretion rate imposed by rotation measures of the polarised light coming from Sgr A* and with estimations of the accretion rate of M87* from the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration. Our methods and results could serve as a first approximation for more realistic black hole accretion models in various astrophysical scenarios in which the accreted material is expected to be nearly collisionless.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Gravitational and electromagnetic perturbations of a charged black hole in a general gauge condition

We derive a set of coupled equations for the gravitational and electromagnetic perturbation in the Reissner-Nordström geometry using the Newman Penrose formalism. We show that the information of the physical gravitational signal is contained in the Weyl scalar function $Ψ_4$, as is well known, but for the electromagnetic signal the information is encoded in the function $χ$ which relates the perturbations of the radiative Maxwell scalars $φ_2$ and the Weyl scalar $Ψ_3$. In deriving the perturbation equations we do not impose any gauge condition and our analysis contains as a limiting case the results obtained previously for instance in Chandrashekhar's book. In our analysis, we also include the sources for the perturbations and focus on a dust-like charged fluid distribution falling radially into the black hole. Finally, by writing the functions on a basis of spin weighted spherical harmonics and the Reissner-Nordström spacetime in Kerr-Schild type coordinates a hyperbolic system of coupled partial differential equations is presented and numerically solved. In this way, we solve completely a system which generates a gravitational signal as well as an electromagnetic/gravitational one, which sets the basis to find correlations between them and thus facilitating the gravitational wave detection via the electromagnetic signal.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

On the linear stability of $\ell$-boson stars with respect to radial perturbations

In previous work we constructed new boson star solutions consisting of a family of massive complex scalar fields minimally coupled to gravity in which the individual fields have angular momentum, yet the configuration as a whole is static and spherically symmetric. In the present article we study the linear stability of these $\ell$-boson stars with respect to time-dependent, radial perturbations. The pulsation equations, governing the dynamics of such perturbations are derived, generalizing previous work initiated by M. Gleiser, and shown to give rise to a two-channel Schrödinger operator. Using standard tools from the literature, we show that for each fixed value $\ell$ of the angular momentum number, there exists a family of $\ell$-boson stars which are linearly stable with respect to radial fluctuations; in this case the perturbations oscillate in time with given characteristic frequencies which are computed and compared with the results from a nonlinear numerical simulation. Further, there is also a family of $\ell$-boson stars which are linearly unstable. The two families are separated by the configuration with maximum mass. These results are qualitatively similar to the corresponding stability results of the standard boson stars with $\ell=0$, and they imply the existence of new stable configurations that are more massive and compact than usual boson stars.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Observational constraints on complex quintessence with attractive self-interaction

In this paper we consider that dark energy could be described solely by a complex scalar field with a Bose-Einstein condensate-like potential (denoted as CSFDE), that is, with a self-interaction and a mass term. In particular, we analyse a solution which in a fast oscillation regime at late-times behaves as a Cosmological Constant. Our proposal adequately describes the standard homogeneous and flat Fridman dynamics, furthermore, in this quintessence--complex scalar field scenario it is possible to mimic the dynamics related to dark energy. However, when the precision cosmological tests are implemented in this landscape, the generic Equation-of-State derived for this model in a restricted regime of a_i (which corresponds to the scale factor at which the scalar field turns on), cannot be constrained by late-time current observations, since the analysis constraints solely the scalar field parameters within values ruled out by the theoretical model. This result is a clear hint to consider future CSFDE models with, for instance, two scalar fields in order to study the early-time dynamics of the Universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Dynamical $\ell$-boson stars: generic stability and evidence for non-spherical solutions

$\ell$-boson stars are static, spherical, multi-field self-gravitating solitons. They are asymptotically flat, finite energy solutions of Einstein's gravity minimally coupled to an odd number of massive, complex scalar fields. A previous study assessed the stability of $\ell$-boson stars under spherical perturbations, finding that there are both stable and unstable branches of solutions, as for single-field boson stars ($\ell=0$). In this work we probe the stability of $\ell$-boson stars against non-spherical perturbations by performing numerical evolutions of the Einstein-Klein-Gordon system, with a 3D code. For the timescales explored, the $\ell$-boson stars belonging to the spherical stable branch do not exhibit measurable growing modes. We find, however, evidence of zero modes; that is, non-spherical perturbations that neither grow nor decay. This suggests the branching off towards a larger family of equilibrium solutions: we conjecture that $\ell$-boson stars are the enhanced isometry point of a larger family of static (and possibly stationary), non-spherical multi-field self-gravitating solitons.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Traversable $\ell$-wormholes supported by ghost scalar fields

We present new, asymptotically flat, static, spherically symmetric and traversable wormhole solutions in General Relativity which are supported by a family of ghost scalar fields with quartic potential. This family consists of a particular composition of the scalar field modes, in which each mode is characterized by the same value of the angular momentum number $\ell$, yet the composition yields a spherically symmetric stress-energy-momentum and metric tensor. For $\ell = 0$ our solutions reduce to wormhole configurations which had been reported previously in the literature. We discuss the effects of the new parameter $\ell$ on the wormhole geometry including the motion of free-falling test particles.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Dynamical evolutions of $\ell$-boson stars in spherical symmetry

In previous work, we have found new static, spherically symmetric boson star solutions which generalize the standard boson stars by allowing a particular superposition of scalar fields in which each of the fields is characterized by a fixed value of its non-vanishing angular momentum number $\ell$. We call such solutions "$\ell$-boson stars". Here, we perform a series of fully non-linear dynamical simulations of perturbed $\ell$-boson stars in order to study their stability, and the final fate of unstable configurations. We show that for each value of $\ell$, the configuration of maximum mass separates the parameter space into stable and unstable regions. Stable configurations, when perturbed, oscillate around the unperturbed solution and very slowly return to a stationary configuration. Unstable configurations, in contrast, can have three different final states: collapse to a black hole, migration to the stable branch, or explosion (dissipation) to infinity. Just as it happens with $\ell=0$ boson stars, migration to the stable branch or dissipation to infinity depends on the sign of the total binding energy of the star: bound unstable stars collapse to black holes or migrate to the stable branch, whereas unbound unstable stars either collapse to a black hole or explode to infinity. Thus, the parameter $\ell$ allows us to construct a new set of stable configurations. All our simulations are performed in spherical symmetry, leaving a more detailed stability analysis including non-spherical perturbations for future work.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Description of the evolution of inhomogeneities on a Dark Matter halo with the Vlasov equation

We use a direct numerical integration of the Vlasov equation in spherical symmetry with a background gravitational potential to determine the evolution of a collection of particles in different models of a galactic halo. Such a collection is assumed to represent a dark matter inhomogeneity which reaches a stationary state determined by the virialization of the system. We describe some features of the stationary states and, by using several halo models, obtain distinctive signatures for the evolution of the inhomogeneities in each of the models.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Scalar Field as a Bose-Einstein Condensate?

We discuss the analogy between a classical scalar field with a self-interacting potential, in a curved spacetime described by a quasi--bounded state, and a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate. In this context, we compare the Klein-Gordon equation with the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Moreover, the introduction of a curved background spacetime endows, in a natural way, an equivalence to the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with an explicit confinement potential. The curvature also induces a position dependent self-interaction parameter. We exploit this analogy by means of the Thomas-Fermi approximation, commonly used to describe the Bose-Einstein condensate, in order to analyze the quasi bound scalar field distribution surrounding a black hole.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Electromagnetic partner of the gravitational signal during accretion onto black holes

We investigate the generation of electromagnetic and gravitational radiation in the vicinity of a perturbed Schwarzschild black hole. The gravitational perturbations and the electromagnetic field are studied by solving the Teukolsky master equation with sources, which we take to be locally charged, radially infalling, matter. Our results show that, in addition to the gravitational wave generated as the matter falls into the black hole, there is also a burst of electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic field has a characteristic set of quasinormal frequencies, and the gravitational radiation has the quasinormal frequencies of a Schwarzschild black hole. This scenario allows us to compare the gravitational and electromagnetic signals that are generated by a common source.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

The Carbon Cycle as the Main Determinant of Glacial-Interglacial Transitions

An intriguing problem in climate science is the existence of Earth's glacial cycles. We show that it is possible to generate these periodic changes in climate by means of the Earth's carbon cycle as the main determinant factor. The carbon exchange between the Ocean, the Continent and the Atmosphere is modeled by means of a tridimensional Lotka-Volterra system and the resulting atmospheric carbon cycle is used as the unique radiative forcing mechanism. It is shown that the carbon dioxide (CO$_{2}$) and temperature anomaly curves, which are thus obtained, have the same first-order structure as the 100 kyr glacial--interglacial cycles depicted by the Vostok ice core data, reproducing the asymmetries of rapid heating--slow cooling, and short interglacial--long glacial ages.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2012

Schwarzschild black holes can wear scalar wigs

We study the evolution of a massive scalar field surrounding a Schwarzschild black hole and find configurations that can survive for arbitrarily long times, provided the black hole or the scalar field mass is small enough. In particular, both ultra-light scalar field dark matter around supermassive black holes and axion-like scalar fields around primordial black holes can survive for cosmological times. Moreover, these results are quite generic, in the sense that fairly arbitrary initial data evolves, at late times, as a combination of those long-lived configurations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Are black holes a serious threat to scalar field dark matter models?

Classical scalar fields have been proposed as possible candidates for the dark matter component of the universe. Given the fact that super-massive black holes seem to exist at the center of most galaxies, in order to be a viable candidate for the dark matter halo a scalar field configuration should be stable in the presence of a central black hole, or at least be able to survive for cosmological time-scales. In the present work we consider a scalar field as a test field on a Schwarzschild background, and study under which conditions one can obtain long-lived configurations. We present a detailed study of the Klein-Gordon equation in the Schwarzschild spacetime, both from an analytical and numerical point of view, and show that indeed there exist quasi-stationary solutions that can remain surrounding a black hole for large time-scales.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

One dimensional description of the gravitational perturbation in a Kerr background

The perturbation equation in a Kerr background is written as a coupled system of one dimensional equations for the different modes in the time domain. Numerical simulations show that the dominant mode in the gravitational response is the one corresponding to the mode of the initial perturbation, allowing us to conjecture that the coupling among the modes has a weak influence in our system of equations. We conclude that by neglecting the coupling terms it can be obtained a one dimensional harmonic equation which indeed describes with good accuracy the gravitational response from the Kerr black hole with low spin, while only few couplings are necessary to describe a high spin one. This result may help to understand the structure of test fields in a Kerr background and even to generate accurate waveforms for various cases in an efficient manner.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2005

Generalized harmonic spatial coordinates and hyperbolic shift conditions

We propose a generalization of the condition for harmonic spatial coordinates analogous to the generalization of the harmonic time slices introduced by Bona et al., and closely related to dynamic shift conditions recently proposed by Lindblom and Scheel, and Bona and Palenzuela. These generalized harmonic spatial coordinates imply a condition for the shift vector that has the form of an evolution equation for the shift components. We find that in order to decouple the slicing condition from the evolution equation for the shift it is necessary to use a rescaled shift vector. The initial form of the generalized harmonic shift condition is not spatially covariant, but we propose a simple way to make it fully covariant so that it can be used in coordinate systems other than Cartesian. We also analyze the effect of the shift condition proposed here on the hyperbolicity of the evolution equations of general relativity in 1+1 dimensions and 3+1 spherical symmetry, and study the possible development of blow-ups. Finally, we perform a series of numerical experiments to illustrate the behavior of this shift condition.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2005

Stellar polytropes and Navarro--Frenk--White dark matter halos: a connection to Tsallis entropy

We present an alternative for the description of galactic halos based on Tsallis' non--extensive entropy formalism; on this scheme, halos are stellar polytropes characterized by three parameters, the central density, $ρ_c$, the central velocity dispersion, $σ_c$ and the polytropic index, $n$. To evaluate these parameters we take the Navarro-Frenk-White paradigm as a comparative model and make the following assumptions: both halo models must have the same virial mass, the same total energy and the same maximal velocity. These three conditions fix all the parameters for a given stellar polytrope allowing us to compare both halo models. The halos studied have virial masses on the range $10^{12}-10^{15} M_\odot$, and it was found after the analysis that they are described, at all scales, by almost the same polytropic index, $n\approx 4.8$, implying an empirical estimation of Tsallis non--extensive parameter for this type of dynamical systems: $q\approx 1.3$.

astro-ph↗