arXiv subjects

Eugen Radu

Publications and source records attributed to Eugen Radu.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

A bound on energy extraction (and hairiness) from superradiance

The possibility of mining the rotational energy from black holes has far--reaching implications. Such energy extraction could occur even for isolated black holes, if hypothetical ultralight bosonic particles exist in Nature, leading to a new equilibrium state $-$ a black hole with synchronised bosonic hair $-$ whose lifetime could exceed the age of the Universe. A natural question is then: for an isolated black hole and at maximal efficiency, how large is the energy fraction $ε$ that can be extracted from a Kerr black hole by the superradiant growth of the dominant mode? In other words, how hairy can the resulting black hole become? A thermodynamical bound for the total superradiance efficiency, $ε\lesssim 0.29$ (as a fraction of the initial black hole mass), has long been known, from the area law. However, numerical simulations exhibiting the growth of the dominant mode only reached about one third of this value. We show that if the development of superradiant instabilities is approximately conservative (as suggest by the numerical evolutions), this efficiency is limited to $ε\lesssim 0.10$, regardless of the spin of the bosonic field. This is in agreement with the maximum energy extraction obtained in numerical simulations for a vector field and predicts the result of similar simulations with a scalar field, yet to be performed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Self-interactions can stabilize excited boson stars

We study the time evolution of spherical, excited ($i.e.$ nodeful) boson star models. We consider a model including quartic self-interactions, controlled by a coupling $Λ$. Performing non-linear simulations of the Einstein-(complex)-Klein-Gordon system, using as initial data equilibrium boson stars solutions of that system, we assess the impact of $Λ$ in the stability properties of the boson stars. In the absence of self-interactions ($Λ=0$), we observe the known behaviour that the excited stars in the (candidate) stable branch decay to a non-excited star without a node; however, we show that for large enough values of the self-interactions coupling, these excited stars do not decay (up to timescales of about $t\sim 10^4$). The stabilization of the excited states for large enough self-interactions is further supported by evidence that the nodeful states dynamically form through the gravitational cooling mechanism, starting from dilute initial data. Our results support the healing power (against dynamical instabilities) of self-interactions, recently unveiled in the context of the non-axisymmetric instabilities of spinning boson stars.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Virial identities in relativistic gravity: 1D effective actions and the role of boundary terms

Virial (aka scaling) identities are integral identities that are useful for a variety of purposes in non-linear field theories, including establishing no-go theorems for solitonic and black hole solutions, as well as for checking the accuracy of numerical solutions. In this paper, we provide a pedagogical rationale for the derivation of such integral identities, starting from the standard variational treatment of particle mechanics. In the framework of one-dimensional (1D) effective actions, the treatment presented here yields a set of useful formulas for computing virial identities in any field theory. Then, we propose that a complete treatment of virial identities in relativistic gravity must take into account the appropriate boundary term. For General Relativity this is the Gibbons-Hawking-York boundary term. We test and confirm this proposal with concrete examples. Our analysis here is restricted to spherically symmetric configurations, which yield 1D effective actions (leaving higher-D effective actions and in particular the axially symmetric case to a companion paper). In this case, we show that there is a particular "gauge" choice, $i.e.$ a choice of coordinates and parameterizing metric functions, that simplifies the computation of virial identities in General Relativity, making both the Einstein-Hilbert action and the Gibbons-Hawking-York boundary term non-contributing. Under this choice, the virial identity results exclusively from the matter action. For generic "gauge" choices, however, this is not the case.

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arXiv2021

Magnetized accretion disks around Kerr black holes with scalar hair -- Nonconstant angular momentum disks

We present new equilibrium solutions of stationary models of magnetized thick disks (or tori) around Kerr black holes with synchronised scalar hair. The models reported here largely extend our previous results based on constant radial distributions of the specific angular momentum along the equatorial plane. We introduce a new way to prescribe the distribution of the disk's angular momentum based on a combination of two previous proposals and compute the angular momentum distribution outside the equatorial plane by resorting to the construction of von Zeipel cylinders. We find that the effect of the scalar hair on the black hole spacetime can yield significant differences in the disk morphology and properties compared to what is found if the spacetime is purely Kerr. Some of the tori built within the most extreme, background hairy black hole spacetime of our sample exhibit the appearance of two maxima in the gravitational energy density which impacts the radial profile distributions of the disk's thermodynamical quantities. The models reported in this paper can be used as initial data for numerical evolutions with GRMHD codes to study their stability properties. Moreover, they can be employed as illuminating sources to build shadows of Kerr black holes with scalar hair which might help further constrain the no-hair hypothesis as new observational data is collected.

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arXiv2021

De-singularizing the extremal GMGHS black hole via higher derivatives corrections

The Gibbons-Maeda-Garfinkle-Horowitz-Strominger (GMGHS) black hole is an influential solution of the low energy heterotic string theory. As it is well known, it presents a singular extremal limit. We construct a regular extension of the GMGHS extremal black hole in a model with $\mathcal{O}(α')$ corrections in the action, by solving the fully non-linear equations of motion. The de-singularization is supported by the $\mathcal{O}(α')$-terms. The regularised extremal GMGHS BHs are asymptotically flat, possess a regular (non-zero size) horizon of spherical topology, with an $AdS_2\times S^2$ near horizon geometry, and their entropy is proportional to the electric charge. The near horizon solution is obtained analytically and some illustrative bulk solutions are constructed numerically.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

The imitation game: Proca stars that can mimic the Schwarzschild shadow

Can a dynamically robust bosonic star (BS) produce an (effective) shadow that mimics that of a black hole (BH)? The BH shadow is linked to the existence of light rings (LRs). For free bosonic fields, yielding mini-BSs, it is known that these stars can become ultra-compact - i.e., possess LRs - but only for perturbatively unstable solutions. We show this remains the case even when different self-interactions are considered. However, an effective shadow can arise in a different way: if BSs reproduce the existence of an innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) for timelike geodesics (located at $r_{\rm ISCO}=6M$ for a Schwarzschild BH of mass M), the accretion flow morphology around BHs is mimicked and an effective shadow arises in an astrophysical environment. Even though spherical BSs may accommodate stable timelike circular orbits all the way down to their centre, we show the angular velocity along such orbits may have a maximum away from the origin, at $R_Ω$; this scale was recently observed to mimic the BH's ISCO in some scenarios of accretion flow. Then: (i) for free scalar fields or with quartic self-interactions, $R_Ω\neq 0$ only for perturbatively unstable BSs; (ii) for higher scalar self-interactions, e.g. axionic, $R_Ω\neq 0$ is possible for perturbatively stable BSs, but no solution with $R_Ω=6M$ was found in the parameter space explored; (iii) but for free vector fields, yielding Proca stars (PSs), perturbatively stable solutions with $R_Ω\neq 0$ exist, and indeed $R_Ω=6M$ for a particular solution. Thus, dynamically robust spherical PSs can mimic the shadow of a (near-)equilibrium Schwarzschild BH with the same M, in an astrophysical environment, despite the absence of a LR, at least under some observation conditions, as we confirm by comparing the lensing of such PSs and Schwarzschild BHs.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Embedding Gauss-Bonnet scalarization models in higher dimensional topological theories

In the presence of appropriate non-minimal couplings between a scalar field and the curvature squared Gauss-Bonnet (GB) term, compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes (BHs) can spontaneously scalarize, becoming a preferred vacuum. Such strong gravity phase transitions have attracted considerable attention recently. The non-minimal coupling functions that allow this mechanism are, however, always postulated ad hoc. Here we point out that families of such functions naturally emerge in the context of Higgs--Chern-Simons gravity models, which are found as dimensionally descents of higher dimensional, purely topological, Chern-Pontryagin non-Abelian densities. As a proof of concept, we study spherically symmetric scalarized BH solutions in a particular Einstein-GB-scalar field model, whose coupling is obtained from this construction, pointing out novel features and caveats thereof. The possibility of vectorization is also discussed, since this construction also originates vector fields non-minimally coupled to the GB invariant.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Multi-field, multi-frequency bosonic stars and a stabilization mechanism

Scalar bosonic stars (BSs) stand out as a multi-purpose model of exotic compact objects. We enlarge the landscape of such (asymptotically flat, stationary, everywhere regular) objects by considering multiple fields (possibly) with different frequencies. This allows for new morphologies ${\it and}$ a stabilization mechanism for different sorts of unstable BSs. First, any odd number of complex fields, yields a continuous family of BSs departing from the spherical, equal frequency, $\ell-$BSs. As the simplest illustration, we construct the $\ell$ = ${\it 1}$ ${\it BSs}$ ${\it family}$, that includes several single frequency solutions, including even parity (such as spinning BSs and a toroidal, static BS) and odd parity (a dipole BS) limits. Second, these limiting solutions are dynamically unstable, but can be stabilized by a ${\it hybrid}$-$\ell$ construction: adding a sufficiently large fundamental $\ell=0$ BS of another field, with a different frequency. Evidence for this dynamical robustness is obtained by non-linear numerical simulations of the corresponding Einstein-(complex, massive) Klein-Gordon system, both in formation and evolution scenarios, and a suggestive correlation between stability and energy distribution is observed. Similarities and differences with vector BSs are anticipated.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Traversable wormholes in Einstein-Dirac-Maxwell theory

We construct a specific example of a class of traversable wormholes in Einstein-Dirac-Maxwell theory in four spacetime dimensions, without needing any form of exotic matter. Restricting to a model with two massive fermions in a singlet spinor state, we show the existence of spherically symmetric asymptotically flat configurations which are free of singularities, representing localized states. These solutions satisfy a generalized Smarr relation, being connected with the extremal Reissner-Nordström black holes. They also possess a finite mass $M$ and electric charge $Q_e$, with $Q_e/M>1$. An exact wormhole solution with ungauged, massless fermions is also reported.

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arXiv2021

Spontaneous scalarization of a conducting sphere in Maxwell-scalar models

We study the spontaneous scalarization of a standard conducting charged sphere embedded in Maxwell-scalar models in flat spacetime, wherein the scalar field $ϕ$ is nonminimally coupled to the Maxwell electrodynamics. This setup serves as a toy model for the spontaneous scalarization of charged (vacuum) black holes in Einstein-Maxwell-scalar (generalized scalar-tensor) models. In the Maxwell-scalar case, unlike the black hole cases, closed-form solutions exist for the scalarized configurations. We compute these configurations for three illustrations of nonminimal couplings: one that \textit{exactly} linearizes the scalar field equation, and the remaining two that produce nonlinear continuations of the first one. We show that the former model leads to a runaway behaviour in regions of the parameter space and neither the Coulomb nor the scalarized solutions are stable in the model; but the latter models can heal this behaviour producing stable scalarized solutions that are dynamically preferred over the Coulomb one. This parallels reports on black hole scalarization in the extended-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet models. Moreover, we analyse the impact of the choice of the boundary conditions on the scalarization phenomenon. Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions accommodate both (linearly) stable and unstable parameter space regions, for the scalar-free conducting sphere; but radiative boundary conditions always yield an unstable scalar-free solution and preference for scalarization. Finally, we perform numerical evolution of the full Maxwell-scalar system, following dynamically the scalarization process. They confirm the linear stability analysis and reveal that the scalarization phenomenon can occur in qualitatively distinct ways.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

GW190521 as a merger of Proca stars: a potential new vector boson of $8.7 \times 10^{-13}$ eV

Advanced LIGO-Virgo reported a short gravitational-wave signal (GW190521) interpreted as a quasi-circular merger of black holes, one populating the pair-instability supernova gap, forming a remnant black hole of $M_f\sim 142 M_\odot$ at a luminosity distance of $d_L \sim 5.3$ Gpc. With barely visible pre-merger emission, however, GW190521 merits further investigation of the pre-merger dynamics and even of the very nature of the colliding objects. We show that GW190521 is consistent with numerically simulated signals from head-on collisions of two (equal mass and spin) horizonless vector boson stars (aka Proca stars), forming a final black hole with $M_f = 231^{+13}_{-17}\,M_\odot$, located at a distance of $d_L = 571^{+348}_{-181}$ Mpc. The favoured mass for the ultra-light vector boson constituent of the Proca stars is $μ_{\rm V}= 8.72^{+0.73}_{-0.82}\times10^{-13}$ eV. This provides the first demonstration of close degeneracy between these two theoretical models, for a real gravitational-wave event. Confirmation of the Proca star interpretation, which we find statistically slightly preferred, would provide the first evidence for a long sought dark matter particle.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Spin-induced scalarized black holes

It was recently shown that a scalar field suitably coupled to the Gauss-Bonnet invariant $\mathcal{G}$ can undergo a spin-induced linear tachyonic instability near a Kerr black hole. This instability appears only once the dimensionless spin $j$ is sufficiently large, that is, $j \gtrsim 0.5$. A tachyonic instability is the hallmark of spontaneous scalarization. Focusing, for illustrative purposes, on a class of theories that do exhibit this instability, we show that stationary, rotating black hole solutions do indeed have scalar hair once the spin-induced instability threshold is exceeded, while black holes that lie below the threshold are described by the Kerr solution. Our results provide strong support for spin-induced black hole scalarization.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Asymptotically flat, spherical, self-interacting scalar, Dirac and Proca stars

We present a comparative analysis of the self-gravitating solitons arising in the Einstein-Klein-Gordon, Einstein-Dirac and Einstein-Proca models, for the particular case of static, spherically symmetric spacetimes. Differently from the previous study arXiv:1708.05674, the matter fields possess suitable self-interacting terms in the Lagrangians, which allow for the existence of $Q$-ball--type solutions for these models in the flat spacetime limit. In spite of this important difference, our analysis shows that the high degree of universality observed in arXiv:1708.05674 remains, and various spin-independent common patterns are observed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Kerr black holes with synchronised axionic hair

We construct and analyse Kerr black holes (BHs) with synchronised axionic hair. These are the BH generalisations of the recently constructed rotating axion boson stars arXiv:2005.05982. Such BHs are stationary, axially symmetric, asymptotically flat solutions of the complex Einstein-Klein-Gordon theory with a QCD axion-like potential. They are regular everywhere on and outside the event horizon. The potential is characterised by two parameters: the mass of the axion-like particle, $m_a$ and the decay constant $f_a$. The limit $f_a \rightarrow \infty$ recovers the original example of Kerr BHs with synchronised scalar hair arXiv:1403.2757. The effects of the non-linearities in the potential become important for $f_a \lesssim 1$. We present an overview of the parameter space of the solutions together with a study of their basic geometric and phenomenological properties, for an illustrative value of the coupling that yields a non-negligible impact of the self-interactions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

On the dynamical bar-mode instability in spinning bosonic stars

Spinning bosonic stars (SBSs) can form from the gravitational collapse of a dilute cloud of scalar/Proca particles with non-zero angular momentum. In a recent work we found that the scalar stars are transient due to a non-axisymmetric instability which triggers the loss of angular momentum. We further study the dynamical formation of SBSs using 3-dimensional numerical-relativity simulations of the Einstein-(massive, complex)Klein-Gordon system and of the Einstein-(complex)Proca system. We incorporate a quartic self-interaction potential in the scalar case to gauge its effect on the instability; we investigate (m=2) Proca stars to assess their stability; we attempt to relate the instability of SBSs to the growth rate of azimuthal density modes and the existence of a corotation point. We show that: the self-interaction potential can only delay the instability in scalar SBSs; m=2 Proca stars always migrate to the stable m=1 spheroidal family; unstable m=2 Proca stars and m=1 scalar boson stars exhibit a corotation point. This establishes a parallelism with rotating neutron stars affected by dynamical bar-mode instabilities. We compute the gravitational waves (GWs) emitted and investigate the detectability of the waveforms comparing the characteristic strain of the signal with the sensitivity curves of a variety of detectors, computing the signal-to-noise ratio. By assuming that the characteristic damping timescale of the bar-like deformation in SBSs is only set by GWs emission and not by viscosity (unlike in neutron stars), we find that the post-collapse emission could be orders of magnitude more energetic than that of the bar-mode instability itself. Our results indicate that GW observations of SBSs might be within the reach of future experiments, offering a potential means to establish the existence of such stars and to place tight constraints on the mass of the bosonic particle.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

On the effects of the Chern-Simons term in an Abelian gauged Skyrme model in $d=4+1$ dimensions

We study an Abelian gauged $O(5)$ Skyrme model in $4+1$ dimensions, featuring the $F^4$ Maxwell and the Chern-Simons terms. Our aim is to expose the mechanism, discovered in the analogous Abelian gauged $O(3)$ Skyrme model in $2+1$ dimensions, which leads to the unusual relation of the mass-energy $E$ to the electric charge $Q_e$ and angular momentum $J$, and, to the change in the value of the "baryon number" $q$ due to the influence of the Abelian field on the Skyrmion. Chern-Simons dynamics together with the dynamics of the gauged Skyrme scalar, allows for solutions with varying asymptotic values of the magnetic field, resulting in these unusual properties listed. Numerical work is carried out on an effective one dimensional subsystem resulting from imposition of an enhaced radial symmetry on ${\mathbb R}^4$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Quasinormal modes of hot, cold and bald Einstein-Maxwell-scalar black holes

Einstein-Maxwell-scalar models allow for different classes of black hole solutions, depending on the non-minimal coupling function $f(ϕ)$ employed, between the scalar field and the Maxwell invariant. Here, we address the linear mode stability of the black hole solutions obtained recently for a quartic coupling function, $f(ϕ)=1+αϕ^4$ [1]. Besides the bald Reissner-Nordström solutions, this coupling allows for two branches of scalarized black holes, termed cold and hot, respectively. For these three branches of black holes we calculate the spectrum of quasinormal modes. It consists of polar scalar-led modes, polar and axial electromagnetic-led modes, and polar and axial gravitational-led modes. We demonstrate that the only unstable mode present is the radial scalar-led mode of the cold branch. Consequently, the bald Reissner-Nordström branch and the hot scalarized branch are both mode-stable. The non-trivial scalar field in the scalarized background solutions leads to the breaking of the degeneracy between axial and polar modes present for Reissner-Nordström solutions. This isospectrality is only slightly broken on the cold branch, but it is strongly broken on the hot branch.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Synchronised gravitational atoms from mergers of bosonic stars

If ultralight bosonic fields exist in Nature as dark matter, superradiance spins down rotating black holes (BHs), dynamically endowing them with equilibrium bosonic clouds, here dubbed synchronised gravitational atoms (SGAs). The self-gravity of these same fields, on the other hand, can lump them into (scalar or vector) horizonless solitons known as bosonic stars (BSs). We show that the dynamics of BSs yields a new channel forming SGAs. We study BS binaries that merge to form spinning BHs. After horizon formation, the BH spins up by accreting the bosonic field, but a remnant lingers around the horizon. If just enough angular momentum is present, the BH spin up stalls precisely as the remnant becomes a SGA. Different initial data lead to SGAs with different quantum numbers. Thus, SGAs may form both from superradiance-driven BH spin down and accretion-driven BH spin up. The latter process, moreover, can result in heavier SGAs than those obtained from the former: in one example herein, $\sim 18\%$ of the final system's energy and $\sim 50\%$ of its angular momentum remain in the SGA. We suggest that even higher values may occur in systems wherein both accretion and superradiance contribute to the SGA formation.

gr-qc↗