arXiv subjects

E. A. Becerra-Vergara

Publications and source records attributed to E. A. Becerra-Vergara.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Nonradial oscillations of realistic anisotropic neutron stars: Polar modes

In this work, we study the polar perturbations of static, spherically symmetric neutron stars with anisotropic pressure in full general relativity, including linear-order perturbations of both the metric and the fluid. We calculate the $f$-mode frequencies and the corresponding damping times using a consistent treatment of the perturbation of the radial vector $k^α$. In particular, its Lagrangian perturbation $Δk^α$ is determined by the metric perturbations and the fluid Lagrangian displacement and is constrained to the $(\tilde{u},\tilde{k})$ plane, where $\tilde{u}^α$ is the normalized fluid four-velocity. This constraint introduces an additional dynamical degree of freedom into the perturbation equations. Considering three equations of state and the Horvat and Bowers-Liang prescriptions for pressure anisotropy, we find that the $f$-mode frequency increases with stellar mass, ranging from $1$ to $3$~kHz, while the damping time decreases, ranging from $0.5$ to $1.25$~s. Increasing anisotropy, in the sense of tangential pressure exceeding radial pressure, generally lowers the oscillation frequency, while its effect on the damping time depends on the anisotropy prescription: the damping time decreases with increasing anisotropy for the Horvat model but increases with increasing anisotropy for the Bowers-Liang model. We further find quasi-universal relations between the real and imaginary parts of the $f$-mode frequency, $Mω_R$ and $Mω_I$, and the stellar compactness $\mathcal{C}=M/R$, which are largely insensitive to the equation of state. Polynomial fits to these relations achieve an accuracy better than $10\%$, providing a simple phenomenological framework for constraining neutron-star pressure anisotropy through future asteroseismology observations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

On the Stability of Anisotropic Neutron Stars

We model anisotropic neutron stars using three distinct prescriptions for pressure anisotropy, the Horvat, Bowers-Liang, and Covariant models, and three equations of state with different particle compositions, each described by a piecewise polytropic parametrization with continuous sound speed. The stability of these configurations is assessed through their dynamical evolution using a fully non-linear relativistic code. For stable configurations, we compute the oscillation spectrum and identify the fundamental mode frequency. We found that, while the isotropic and Horvat models become unstable close to the maximum-mass point, the Bowers-Liang and Covariant models become unstable at lower central densities, indicating that the standard turning-point criterion may not reliably predict the onset of dynamical instability in anisotropic stars. Based on our results, we also determine the neutral-stability line and verify that configurations lying to the right of this line are indeed unstable under radial perturbations and collapse. Overall, given an equation of state, pressure anisotropy can increase the maximum mass of an stable configuration by up to ~30 % compared to the isotropic case. It also allows for more compact stable configurations that may collapse on longer timescales once they become unstable. Finally, we show that these compact stars could initially mimic a black hole's gravitational-wave ringdown. However, the production of subsequent echoes is not guaranteed by high compactness; instead, it depends critically on the star's specific internal structure and equation of state.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Rotating neutron stars: anisotropy model comparison

We build slowly rotating anisotropic neutron stars using the Hartle-Thorne formalism, employing three distinct anisotropy models--Horvat, Bowers-Liang, and a covariant model--to characterize the relationship between radial and tangential pressure. We analyze how anisotropy influences stellar properties such as the mass-radius relation, angular momentum, moment of inertia, and binding energy. Our findings reveal that the maximum stable mass of non-rotating stars depends strongly on the anisotropy model, with some configurations supporting up to 60% more mass than their isotropic counterparts with the same central density. This mass increase is most pronounced in the models where the anisotropy grows toward the star's surface, as seen in the covariant model. Furthermore, slowly rotating anisotropic stars adhere to universal relations for the moment of inertia and binding energy, regardless of the chosen anisotropy model or equation of state.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Slowly Rotating Anisotropic Neutron Stars with a Parametrized Equation of State

In this work, we study the impact of anisotropy on slowly rotating neutron stars by extending the Hartle-Thorne formalism in general relativity to include anisotropy in pressure up to second order in the angular velocity. We assess the presence of anisotropy within the star by employing a quasi-local relationship. Our results show that the ratio between the gravitational mass of the fastest anisotropic rotating configurations and the corresponding non-rotating ones ranges from $1.12$ to $1.25$, consistent with recent findings. We develop universal relations for the moment of inertia, binding energy, and quadrupole moment of the rotating stars. These relations are tested against various equations of state, which were modeled by a piecewise polytropic function with continuous sound speed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Realistic Anisotropic Neutron Stars: Pressure Effects

In this paper, we study the impact of anisotropy on neutron stars with different equations of state, which have been modeled by a piecewise polytropic function with continuous sound speed. Anisotropic pressure in neutron stars is often attributed to interior magnetic fields, rotation, and the presence of exotic matter or condensates. We quantify the presence of anisotropy within the star by assuming a quasi-local relationship. We find that the radial and tangential sound velocities constrain the range of anisotropy allowed within the star. As expected, the anisotropy affects the macroscopic properties of stars, and it can be introduced to reconcile them with astrophysical observations. For instance, the maximum mass of anisotropic neutron stars can be increased by up to 15\% compared to the maximum mass of the corresponding isotropic configuration. This allows neutron stars to reach masses greater than $2.5M_\odot$, which may explain the secondary compact object of the GW190814 event. Additionally, we propose a universal relation for the binding energy of an anisotropic neutron star as a function of the star's compactness and the degree of anisotropy.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

The $\textit{q}$-metric naked singularity: A viable explanation for the nature of the central object in the Milky Way

In this work, we investigate whether the compact object at the center of the Milky Way is a naked singularity described by the $\textit{q}$-metric spacetime. Our fitting of the astrometric and spectroscopic data for the S2 star implies that similarly to the Schwarzschild black hole, the $\textit{q}$-metric naked singularity offers a satisfactory fit to the observed measurements. Additionally, it is shown that the shadow produced by the naked singularity is consistent with the shadow observed by the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration for Sgr-A*. It is worth mentioning that the spatial distribution of the S-stars favors the notion that the compact object at the center of our Galaxy can be described by an almost static spacetime. Based on these findings, the $\textit{q}$-metric naked singularity turns up as a compelling candidate for further investigation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Fermionic Dark Matter: Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology

The nature of dark matter (DM) is one of the most relevant questions in modern astrophysics. We present a brief overview of recent results that inquire into a possible fermionic quantum nature of the DM particles, focusing mainly on the interconnection between the microphysics of the neutral fermions and the macrophysical structure of galactic halos, including their formation both in the linear and non-linear cosmological regimes. We discuss the general relativistic Ruffini-Argüelles-Rueda (RAR) model of fermionic DM in galaxies, its applications to the Milky Way, the possibility that the Galactic center harbors a DM core instead of a supermassive black hole (SMBH), the S-cluster stellar orbits with an in-depth analysis of the S2's orbit including precession, the application of the RAR model to other galaxy types (dwarf, elliptic, big elliptic and galaxy clusters), and universal galaxy relations. All the above focusing on the model parameters constraints, most relevant to the fermion mass. We also connect the RAR model fermions with particle physics DM candidates, self-interactions, and galactic observables constraints. The formation and stability of core-halo galactic structures predicted by the RAR model and their relation to warm DM cosmologies are also treated. Finally, we briefly discuss how gravitational lensing, dynamical friction, and the formation of SMBHs can also probe the DM nature.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

What does lie at the Milky Way centre? Insights from the S2 star orbit precession

It has been recently demonstrated that both, a classical Schwarzschild black hole (BH), and a dense concentration of self-gravitating fermionic dark matter (DM) placed at the Galaxy centre, can explain the precise astrometric data (positions and radial velocities) of the S-stars orbiting SgrA*. This result encompasses the 17 best resolved S-stars, and includes the test of general relativistic effects such as the gravitational redshift in the S2-star. In addition, the DM model features another remarkable result: the dense core of fermions is the central region of a continuous density distribution of DM whose diluted halo explains the Galactic rotation curve. In this Letter, we complement the above findings by analyzing in both models the relativistic periapsis precession of the S2-star orbit. While the Schwarzschild BH scenario predicts a unique prograde precession for S2, in the DM scenario it can be either retrograde or prograde, depending on the amount of DM mass enclosed within the S2 orbit, which in turn is a function of the DM fermion mass. We show that all the current and publicly available data of S2 can not discriminate between the two models, but upcoming S2 astrometry close to next apocentre passage could potentially establish if SgrA* is governed by a classical BH or by a quantum DM system.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

Hinting a dark matter nature of Sgr A* via the S-stars

The motion data of the S-stars around the Galactic center gathered in the last 28 yr imply that Sgr A* hosts a supermassive compact object of about $4\times 10^6$ $M\odot$, a result awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics 2020. A non-rotating black hole (BH) nature of Sgr A* has been uncritically adopted since the S-star orbits agree with Schwarzschild geometry geodesics. The orbit of S2 has served as a test of General Relativity predictions such as the gravitational redshift and the relativistic precession. The central BH model is, however, challenged by the G2 post-peripassage motion and by the lack of observations on event-horizon-scale distances robustly pointing to its univocal presence. We have recently shown that the S2 and G2 astrometry data are better fitted by geodesics in the spacetime of a self-gravitating dark matter (DM) core - halo distribution of 56 keV-fermions, "darkinos", which also explains the outer halo Galactic rotation curves. This Letter confirms and extends this conclusion using the astrometry data of the $17$ best-resolved S-stars, thereby strengthening the alternative nature of Sgr A* as a dense core of darkinos.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

Neutrino oscillations in a neutrino-dominated accretion disk around a Kerr BH

In the binary-driven hypernova model of long gamma-ray bursts, a carbon-oxygen star explodes as a supernova in presence of a neutron star binary companion in close orbit. Hypercritical (i.e. highly super-Eddington) accretion of the ejecta matter onto the neutron star sets in, making it reach the critical mass with consequent formation of a Kerr black hole. We have recently shown that, during the accretion process onto the neutron star, fast neutrino flavour oscillations occur. Numerical simulations of the above system show that a part of the ejecta keeps bound to the newborn Kerr black hole, leading to a new process of hypercritical accretion. We here address, also for this phase of the binary-driven hypernova, the occurrence of neutrino flavour oscillations given the extreme conditions of high density (up to $10^{12}$ g cm$^{-3}$) and temperatures (up to tens of MeV) inside this disk. We estimate the \textcolor{red}{behaviour} of the electronic and non-electronic neutrino content within the two-flavour formalism ($ν_{e}ν_{x}$) under the action of neutrino collective effects by neutrino self-interactions. We find that in the case of inverted mass hierarchy, neutrino oscillations inside the disk have frequencies between $\sim (10^{5}$-$10^{9})$ s$^{-1}$, leading the disk to achieve flavour equipartition. This implies that the energy deposition rate by neutrino annihilation ($ν+ \barν \to e^{-} + e^{+}$) in the vicinity of the Kerr black hole, is smaller than previous estimates in the literature not accounting by flavour oscillations inside the disk. The exact value of the reduction factor depends on the $ν_{e}$ and $ν_{x}$ optical depths but it can be as high as $\sim 5$. The results of this work are a first step toward the analysis of neutrino oscillations in a novel astrophysical context and, as such, deserve further attention.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

The geodesic motion of S2 and G2 as a test of the fermionic dark matter nature of our galactic core

[Abridged] The S-stars motion around the Galactic center (Sgr A*) implies the existence of a compact source with a mass of about $4\times 10^6 M_\odot$, traditionally assumed to be a massive black hole (BH). Important for any model is the explanation of the multiyear, accurate astrometric data of S2 and the challenging G2: its post-pericenter velocity decelerates faster than expected from a Keplerian orbit around the putative BH. This has been reconciled in the literature by acting on G2 a drag force by an accretion flow. Alternatively, we show that the S2 and G2 motion is explained by the "core-halo" fermionic dark matter (DM) profile of the fully-relativistic Ruffini-Argüelles-Rueda (RAR) model. It has been already shown that for 48-345 keV fermions, it accurately fits the rotation curves of the Milky-Way halo. We here show that, for a fermion mass of 56 keV, it explains the time-dependent data of the position (orbit) and light-of-sight radial velocity (redshift function $z$) of S2 and G2, the latter without a drag force. We find the RAR model fits better the data: the mean of reduced chi-squares of the orbit and $z$ data are, for S2, $\langle\barχ^2\rangle_{\rm S2, RAR}\approx 3.1$ and $\langle\barχ^2\rangle_{\rm S2, BH}\approx 3.3$ while, for G2, $\langle\barχ^2\rangle_{\rm G2, RAR}\approx 20$ and $\langle\barχ^2\rangle_{\rm G2, BH}\approx 41$. For S2 the fits of the $z$ data are comparable, $\barχ^2_{z,\rm RAR}\approx 1.28$ and $\barχ^2_{z,\rm BH}\approx 1.04$, for G2 only the RAR model fits, $\barχ^2_{z,\rm RAR}\approx 1.0$ and $\barχ^2_{z,\rm BH}\approx 26$. In addition, the critical mass for the gravitational collapse of a degenerate 56 keV-fermion DM core into a BH is $\sim 10^8 M_\odot$, which may be the initial seed for the formation of the observed central supermassive BH in active galaxies, such as M87.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Anisotropic Quark Stars with an Interacting Quark Equation of State

A deep exploration of the parameter space that relates the interacting equation of state with the bag constant B, and the interaction parameter a, is fundamental for the construction of diverse models of quark stars. In particular, the anisotropy of quark stars with a well-motivated quantum chromodynamics (QCD) equation of state is presented here. The contribution of the fourth order corrections parameter ($\mathrm{a}$) of the QCD perturbation on the radial and tangential pressure generate significant effects on the mass-radius relation and the stability of the quark star. An adequate set of solutions for several values of the bag factor and the interaction parameter are used in order to calculate the relation between the mass, radius, density, compactness, and consequently the maximum masses and the stability. Therefore, while the more interactive quark solution leads to higher masses, the weak interaction among quarks give solutions similar to the widely known MIT bag model.

gr-qc↗