arXiv subjects

Edoardo Vitagliano

Publications and source records attributed to Edoardo Vitagliano.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

Primordial Black Holes and Wormholes from Domain Wall Networks

Domain walls (DWs) are topological defects originating from phase transitions in the early universe. In the presence of an energy imbalance between distinct vacua, enclosed DW cavities shrink until the entire network disappears. By studying the dynamics of thin-shell bubbles in General Relativity, we demonstrate that closed DWs with sizes exceeding the cosmic horizon tend to annihilate later than the average. This delayed annihilation allows for the formation of large overdensities, which, upon entering the Hubble horizon, eventually collapse to form Primordial Black Holes (PBHs). We rely on 3D percolation theory to calculate the number density of these late-annihilating DWs, enabling us to infer the abundance of PBHs. A key insight from our study is that DW networks with the potential to emit observable Gravitational Waves are also likely to yield detectable PBHs. Additionally, we find that wormholes connected to baby-universes can be produced and conclude on the possibility to generate a multiverse.

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arXiv2025

Self-Interacting Dark Sectors in Supernovae Can Behave as a Relativistic Fluid

We revisit supernova (SN) bounds on a hidden sector consisting of millicharged particles $χ$ and a massless dark photon. Unless the self-coupling is fine-tuned to be small, rather than exiting the SN core as a gas, the particles form a relativistic fluid and subsequent dark QED fireball, streaming out against the drag due to the interaction with matter. Novel bounds due to excessive energy deposition in the mantle of low-energy SNe can be obtained. The cooling bounds from SN 1987A are unexpectedly not affected in the free-streaming regime. The inclusion of $χ\barχ\rightarrow \rm SM$ substantially modifies the constraints in the trapping regime, which can only be treated hydrodynamically. Our results can be adapted to generic sub-GeV self-interacting dark sectors.

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arXiv2024

Gravitational Wave Detection With Plasma Haloscopes

Searches for high frequency gravitational waves using cavities based on the Gertsenshtein effect were recently proposed, building off existing axion dark matter experiments. In particular, the sensitivity of axion dark matter experiments using metamaterial plasmas (tunable plasma haloscopes) to gravitational waves has not been explored in detail. Here we perform a full analysis of gravitational wave detection in plasma haloscopes, showing that the baseline design of experiments such as ALPHA is several orders of magnitude less sensitive than previously thought. We show how simple changes to the experiment can recover that sensitivity and lead to a powerful gravitational wave detector in the order of $(10-50)$ GHz frequency range.

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arXiv2024

Probing the Blue Axion with Cosmic Optical Background Anisotropies

A radiative decaying Big Bang relic with a mass $m_a\simeq 5-25 \,\rm eV$, which we dub "blue axion", can be probed with direct and indirect observations of the cosmic optical background (COB). The strongest bounds on blue-axion cold dark matter come from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) measurements of COB anisotropies at $606$~nm. We suggest that new HST measurements at higher frequencies ($336$~nm and $438$~nm) can improve current constraints on the lifetime up to one order of magnitude, and we show that also thermally produced and hot relic blue axions can be competitively probed by COB anisotropies. We exclude the simple interpretation of the excess in the diffuse COB detected by the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) as photons produced by a decaying hot relic. Finally, we comment on the reach of upcoming line intensity mapping experiments, that could detect blue axions with a lifetime as large as $10^{29}\,\rm s$ or $10^{27}\,\rm s$ for the cold dark matter and the hot relic case, respectively.

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arXiv2024

The next galactic supernova can uncover mass and couplings of particles decaying to neutrinos

Many particles predicted by extensions of the Standard Model feature interactions with neutrinos, e.g., Majoron-like bosons $ϕ$. If the mass of $ϕ$ is larger than about 10 keV, they can be produced abundantly in the core of the next galactic core-collapse supernova through neutrino coalescence, and leave it with energies of around 100 MeV. Their subsequent decay to high-energy neutrinos and anti-neutrinos provides a distinctive signature at Earth. Ongoing and planned neutrino and dark matter experiments allow us to reconstruct the energy, flavor, and time of arrival of these high-energy neutrinos. For the first time, we show that these measurements can help pinpointing the mass of $ϕ$ and its couplings to neutrinos of different flavor. Our results can be generalized in a straightforward manner to other hypothetical feebly interacting particles, like novel gauge bosons or heavy neutral leptons, that decay into neutrinos.

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arXiv2024

Multimessenger Constraints on Radiatively Decaying Axions from GW170817

The metastable hypermassive neutron star produced in the coalescence of two neutron stars can copiously produce axions that radiatively decay into $\mathcal{O}(100)$~MeV photons. These photons can form a fireball with characteristic temperature smaller than $1\rm\, MeV$. By relying on X-ray observations of GW170817/GRB 170817A with CALET CGBM, Konus-Wind, and Insight-HXMT/HE, we present new bounds on the axion-photon coupling for axion masses in the range $1$-$400\,\rm MeV$. We exclude couplings down to $5\times 10^{-11}\,\rm GeV^{-1}$, complementing and surpassing existing constraints. Our approach can be extended to any feebly-interacting particle decaying into photons.

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arXiv2024

Supernova Emission of Secretly Interacting Neutrino Fluid: Theoretical Foundations

Neutrino-neutrino scattering could have a large secret component that would turn neutrinos within a supernova (SN) core into a self-coupled fluid. Neutrino transport within the SN core, emission from its surface, expansion into space, and the flux spectrum and time structure at Earth might all be affected. We examine these questions from first principles. First, diffusive transport differs only by a modified spectral average of the interaction rate. We next study the fluid energy transfer between a hot and a cold blackbody surface in plane-parallel and spherical geometry. The key element is the decoupling process within the radiating bodies, which themselves are taken to be isothermal. For a zero-temperature cold plate, mimicking radiation into free space by the hot plate, the energy flux is 3--4\% smaller than the usual Stefan-Boltzmann Law. The fluid energy density just outside the hot plate is numerically 0.70 of the standard case, the outflow velocity is the speed of sound $v_s=c/\sqrt{3}$, conspiring to a nearly unchanged energy flux. Our results provide the crucial boundary condition for the expansion of the self-interacting fluid into space, assuming an isothermal neutrino sphere. We also derive a dynamical solution, assuming the emission suddenly begins at some instant. A neutrino front expands in space with luminal speed, whereas the outflow velocity at the radiating surface asymptotically approaches $v_s$ from above. Asymptotically, one thus recovers the steady-state emission found in the two-plate model. A sudden end to neutrino emission leads to a fireball with constant thickness equal to the duration of neutrino emission.

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arXiv2024

Large Neutrino Secret Interactions, Small Impact on Supernovae

When hypothetical neutrino secret interactions ($ν$SI) are large, they form a fluid in a supernova (SN) core, flow out with sonic speed, and stream away as a fireball. For the first time, we tackle the complete dynamical problem and solve all steps, systematically using relativistic hydrodynamics. The impact on SN physics and the neutrino signal is remarkably small. For complete thermalization within the fireball, the observable spectrum changes in a way that is independent of the coupling strength. One potentially large effect beyond our study is quick deleptonization if $ν$SI violate lepton number. By present evidence, however, SN physics leaves open a large region in parameter space, where laboratory searches and future high-energy neutrino telescopes will probe $ν$SI.

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arXiv2023

Supernova Simulations Confront SN 1987A Neutrinos

We return to interpreting the historical SN~1987A neutrino data from a modern perspective. To this end, we construct a suite of spherically symmetric supernova models with the Prometheus-Vertex code, using four different equations of state and five choices of final baryonic neutron-star (NS) mass in the 1.36-1.93 M$_\odot$ range. Our models include muons and proto-neutron star (PNS) convection by a mixing-length approximation. The time-integrated signals of our 1.44 M$_\odot$ models agree reasonably well with the combined data of the four relevant experiments, IMB, Kam-II, BUST, and LSD, but the high-threshold IMB detector alone favors a NS mass of 1.7-1.8 M$_\odot$, whereas Kam-II alone prefers a mass around 1.4 M$_\odot$. The cumulative energy distributions in these two detectors are well matched by models for such NS masses, and the previous tension between predicted mean neutrino energies and the combined measurements is gone, with and without flavor swap. Generally, our predicted signals do not strongly depend on assumptions about flavor mixing, because the PNS flux spectra depend only weakly on antineutrino flavor. While our models show compatibility with the events detected during the first seconds, PNS convection and nucleon correlations in the neutrino opacities lead to short PNS cooling times of 5-9 s, in conflict with the late event bunches in Kam-II and BUST after 8-9 s, which are also difficult to explain by background. Speculative interpretations include the onset of fallback of transiently ejected material onto the NS, a late phase transition in the nuclear medium, e.g., from hadronic to quark matter, or other effects that add to the standard PNS cooling emission and either stretch the signal or provide a late source of energy. More research, including systematic 3D simulations, is needed to assess these open issues.

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arXiv2023

Stellar limits on scalars from electron-nucleus bremsstrahlung

We revisit stellar energy-loss bounds on the Yukawa couplings $g_{\rm B,L}$ of baryophilic and leptophilic scalars $ϕ$. The white-dwarf luminosity function yields $g_{\rm B}\lesssim 7 \times 10^{-13}$ and $g_{\rm L}\lesssim 4 \times 10^{-16}$, based on bremsstrahlung from ${}^{12}{\rm C}$ and ${}^{16}{\rm O}$ collisions with electrons. In models with a Higgs portal, this also implies a bound on the scalar-Higgs mixing angle $\sin θ\lesssim 2 \times 10^{-10}$. Our new bounds apply for $m_ϕ\lesssim {\rm 1~keV}$ and are among the most restrictive ones, whereas for $m_ϕ\lesssim 0.5\,{\rm eV}$ long-range force measurements dominate. Besides a detailed calculation of the bremsstrahlung rate for degenerate and semi-relativistic electrons, we prove with a simple argument that non-relativistic bremsstrahlung by the heavy partner is suppressed relative to that by the light one by their squared-mass ratio. This large reduction was overlooked in previous much stronger bounds on $g_{\rm B}$. In an Appendix, we provide fitting formulas (few percent precision) for the bremsstrahlung emission of baryophilic and leptophilic scalars as well as axions for white-dwarf conditions, i.e., degenerate, semi-relativistic electrons and ion-ion correlations in the ``liquid'' phase.

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arXiv2023

Strong Supernova 1987A Constraints on Bosons Decaying to Neutrinos

Majoron-like bosons would emerge from a supernova (SN) core by neutrino coalescence of the form $νν\toϕ$ and $\barν\barν\toϕ$ with 100 MeV-range energies. Subsequent decays to (anti)neutrinos of all flavors provide a flux component with energies much larger than the usual flux from the "neutrino sphere." The absence of 100 MeV-range events in the Kamiokande-II and Irvine-Michigan-Brookhaven signal of SN 1987A implies that less than 1% of the total energy was thus emitted and provides the strongest constraint on the Majoron-neutrino coupling of $g\lesssim 10^{-9}\,{\rm MeV}/m_ϕ$ for $100~{\rm eV}\lesssim m_ϕ\lesssim 100~{\rm MeV}$. It is straightforward to extend our new argument to other hypothetical feebly interacting particles.

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arXiv2023

Axion-sourced fireballs from supernovae

New feebly interacting particles would emerge from a supernova core with 100-MeV-range energies and produce $γ$-rays by subsequent decays. These would contribute to the diffuse cosmic $γ$-ray background or would have shown up in the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite from SN~1987A. However, we show for the example of axion-like particles (ALPs) that, even at distances beyond the progenitor star, the decay photons may not escape, and can instead form a fireball, a plasma shell with $T\lesssim 1$ MeV. Thus, existing arguments do not exclude ALPs with few 10 MeV masses and a two-photon coupling of a few $10^{-10}~{\rm GeV}^{-1}$. However, the energy would have showed up in sub-MeV photons, which were not seen from SN 1987A in the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO), closing again this new window. A careful re-assessment is required for other particles that were constrained in similar ways.

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arXiv2023

Primordial black hole dark matter from catastrogenesis with unstable pseudo-Goldstone bosons

We propose a new scenario for the formation of asteroid-mass primordial black holes (PBHs). Our mechanism is based on the annihilation of the string-wall network associated with the breaking of a $U(1)$ global symmetry into a discrete $Z_N$ symmetry. If the potential has multiple local minima ($N>1$) the network is stable, and the annihilation is guaranteed by a bias among the different vacua. The collapse of the string-wall network is accompanied by catastrogenesis, a large production of pseudo-Goldstone bosons (pGBs) -- e.g. axions, ALPs, or majorons -- gravitational waves, and PBHs. If pGBs rapidly decay into products that thermalize, as predicted e.g. in the high-quality QCD axion and heavy majoron models, they do not contribute to the dark matter population, but we show that PBHs can constitute 100\% of the dark matter. The gravitational wave background produced by catastrogenesis with heavy unstable axions, ALPs, or majorons could be visible in future interferometers.

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arXiv2023

Catastrogenesis: DM, GWs, and PBHs from ALP string-wall networks

Axion-like particles (ALPs), a compelling candidate for dark matter (DM), are the pseudo Nambu-Goldstone bosons of a spontaneously and explicitly broken global $U(1)$ symmetry. When the symmetry breaking happens after inflation, the ALP cosmology predicts the formation of a string-wall network which must annihilate early enough, producing gravitational waves (GWs) and primordial black holes (PBHs), as well as non-relativistic ALPs. We call this process catastrogenesis. We show that, under the generic assumption that the potential has several degenerate minima, GWs from string-wall annihilation at temperatures below 100 eV could be detected by future CMB and astrometry probes, for ALPs with mass from $10^{-16}$ to $10^{6}\,\rm eV$. In this case, structure formation could limit ALPs to constitute a fraction of the DM and the annihilation would produce mostly ``stupendously large" PBHs. For larger annihilation temperatures, ALPs can constitute $100\%$ of DM, and the annihilation could produce supermassive black holes with a mass of up to $10^9\, M_\odot$ as found at the center of large galaxies. Therefore our model could solve two mysteries, the nature of the DM and the origin of these black holes.

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arXiv2022

Dark Matter In Extreme Astrophysical Environments

Exploring dark matter via observations of extreme astrophysical environments -- defined here as heavy compact objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes, as well as supernovae and compact object merger events -- has been a major field of growth since the last Snowmass process. Theoretical work has highlighted the utility of current and near-future observatories to constrain novel dark matter parameter space across the full mass range. This includes gravitational wave instruments and observatories spanning the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio to gamma-rays. While recent searches already provide leading sensitivity to various dark matter models, this work also highlights the need for theoretical astrophysics research to better constrain the properties of these extreme astrophysical systems. The unique potential of these search signatures to probe dark matter adds motivation to proposed next-generation astronomical and gravitational wave instruments.

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arXiv2022

Radiative transfer in stars by feebly interacting bosons

Starting from first principles, we study radiative transfer by new feebly-interacting bosons (FIBs) such as axions, axion-like particles (ALPs), dark photons, and others. Our key simplification is to include only boson emission or absorption (including decay), but not scattering between different modes of the radiation field. Based on a given distribution of temperature and FIB absorption rate in a star, we derive explicit volume-integral expressions for the boson luminosity, reaching from the free-streaming to the strong-trapping limit. The latter is seen explicitly to correspond to quasi-thermal emission from a "FIB sphere" according to the Stefan-Boltzmann law. Our results supersede expressions and approximations found in the recent literature on FIB emission from a supernova core and, for radiatively unstable FIBs, provide explicit expressions for the nonlocal ("ballistic") transfer of energy recently discussed in horizontal-branch stars.

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arXiv2022

Report of the Topical Group on Particle Dark Matter for Snowmass 2021

This report summarizes the findings of the CF1 Topical Subgroup to Snowmass 2021, which was focused on particle dark matter. One of the most important scientific goals of the next decade is to reveal the nature of dark matter (DM). To accomplish this goal, we must delve deep, to cover high priority targets including weakly-interacting massive particles (WIMPs), and search wide, to explore as much motivated DM parameter space as possible. A diverse, continuous portfolio of experiments at large, medium, and small scales that includes both direct and indirect detection techniques maximizes the probability of discovering particle DM. Detailed calibrations and modeling of signal and background processes are required to make a convincing discovery. In the event that a candidate particle is found through different means, for example at a particle collider, the program described in this report is also essential to show that it is consistent with the actual cosmological DM. The US has a leading role in both direct and indirect detection dark matter experiments -- to maintain this leading role, it is imperative to continue funding major experiments and support a robust R\&D program.

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arXiv2022

Snowmass Theory Frontier: Astrophysics and Cosmology

We summarize progress made in theoretical astrophysics and cosmology over the past decade and areas of interest for the coming decade. This Report is prepared as the TF09 "Astrophysics and Cosmology" topical group summary for the Theory Frontier as part of the Snowmass 2021 process.

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