arXiv subjects

Giovanni Tambalo

Publications and source records attributed to Giovanni Tambalo.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Quasinormal modes and their excitation beyond general relativity. II: isospectrality loss in gravitational waveforms

We continue our series of papers where we study the quasinormal modes, and their excitation, of black holes in the simplest beyond general relativity model in which first-principle calculations are tractable: a nonrotating black hole in an effective-field-theory extension of general relativity with cubic-in-curvature terms. In this theory, the equivalence between the quasinormal mode spectra associated with metric perturbations of polar and axial parities ("isospectrality") of the Schwarzschild black hole in general relativity no longer holds. How does this loss of isospectrality translate into the time-domain ringdown of gravitational waves? Given such a ringdown, can we identify the two "fundamental quasinormal modes" associated to the two metric-perturbation parities? We study these questions through a large suite of time-domain numerical simulations, by a prescription on how to relate the gauge-invariant master functions that describe metric perturbations of each parity with the gravitational polarizations. Under the assumptions made in our calculations, we find that it is in general difficult to identify either of the two fundamental modes from the time series, although finding evidence for a non-general-relativistic mode is possible sometimes. We discuss our results in light of our assumptions and speculate about what may occur when they are relaxed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Large $n$-point Functions in Resonant Inflation

We investigate a qualitatively new regime of inflationary models with small and rapid oscillations in the potential-resonant non-Gaussianity. In contrast to the standard scenario, where most of the observable information is encoded in the power spectrum, in this regime the oscillatory signal predominantly appears in higher-order correlation functions with large $n$. This behavior emerges when the oscillation frequency $ω$ exceeds the naive cutoff of the theory, $4πf$. However, as noted by Hook and Rattazzi [2306.12489], the actual cutoff is somewhat higher -- though only logarithmically -- when the amplitude of the oscillations is small. We identify a phenomenologically relevant window in which $n$-point functions with $3 \lesssim n \lesssim 9$ are potentially observable. In this regime, the signal exhibits 350-1000 oscillations per decade in $k$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

To the Problem of Cosmic Expansion in Massive Gravity

We consider evolving, spatially flat isotropic and homogeneous (FLRW) cosmologies in ghost-free (dRGT) massive gravity. In this theory, no dynamical flat FLRW background exists if the reference metric is chosen to be Minkowski and the Stueckelberg fields are homogeneous. Relaxing the assumptions on the Stueckelberg profiles gives access to dynamical backgrounds. We propose a classification of the viable flat FLRW cosmological solutions of dRGT massive gravity. Instead of specifying an initial ansatz for the Stueckelberg fields $ϕ^a$ and the reference metric $f_{ab}$, we show that imposing homogeneity and isotropy on the square root tensor $X^μ_ν=\left(\sqrt{g^{-1}\partialϕ^a \partialϕ^bf_{ab}}\right)^μ_ν$ leads to dynamical cosmological solutions, and we characterize their properties. These solutions become dynamical only when the Stueckelberg fields acquire a sufficiently inhomogeneous and/or anisotropic profile. We explore the consequences for the minimal model and the complete dRGT theory, and show that perturbations are strongly coupled, at the quadratic level, on these backgrounds.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

GLoW: novel methods for wave-optics phenomena in gravitational lensing

Wave-optics phenomena in gravitational lensing occur when the signal's wavelength is commensurate to the gravitational radius of the lens. Although potentially detectable in lensed gravitational waves, fast radio bursts and pulsars, accurate numerical predictions are challenging to compute. Here we present novel methods for wave-optics lensing that allow the treatment of general lenses. In addition to a general algorithm, specialized methods optimize symmetric lenses (arbitrary number of images) and generic lenses in the single-image regime. We also develop approximations for simple lenses (point-like and singular isothermal sphere) that drastically outperform known solutions without compromising accuracy. These algorithms are implemented in Gravitational Lensing of Waves (GLoW): an accurate, flexible, and fast code. GLoW efficiently computes the frequency-dependent amplification factor for generic lens models and arbitrary impact parameters in O(1 ms) to O(10 ms) depending on the lens configuration and complexity. GLoW is readily applicable to model lensing diffraction on gravitational-wave signals, offering new means to investigate the distribution of dark-matter and large-scale structure with signals from ground and space detectors.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Quasinormal modes and their excitation beyond general relativity

The response of black holes to small perturbations is known to be partially described by a superposition of quasinormal modes. Despite their importance to enable strong-field tests of gravity, little to nothing is known about what overtones and quasinormal-mode amplitudes are like for black holes in extensions to general relativity. We take a first step in this direction and study what is arguably the simplest model that allows first-principle calculations to be made: a nonrotating black hole in an effective-field-theory extension of general relativity with cubic-in-curvature terms. Using a phase-amplitude scheme that uses analytical continuation and the Prüfer transformation, we compute, for the first time, the quasinormal overtone frequencies (in this theory) and quasinormal-mode excitation factors (in any theory beyond general relativity). We find that the overtone quasinormal frequencies and their excitation factors are more sensitive than the fundamental mode to the lengthscale $l$ introduced by the higher-derivative terms in the effective field theory. We argue that a description of all overtones cannot be made within the regime of validity of the effective field theory, and we conjecture that this is a general feature of any extension to general relativity that introduces a new lengthscale. We also find that a parametrization of the modifications to the general-relativistic quasinormal frequencies in terms of the ratio between $l$ and the black hole's mass is somewhat inadequate, and we propose a better alternative. As an application, we perform a preliminary study of the implications of the breakdown, in the effective field theory, of the equivalence between the quasinormal mode spectra associated to metric perturbations of polar and axial parity of the Schwarzschild black hole in general relativity. We also present a simple justification for the loss of isospectrality.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Non-perturbative Wavefunction of the Universe in Inflation with (Resonant) Features

We study the statistics of scalar perturbations in models of inflation with small and rapid oscillations in the inflaton potential (resonant non-Gaussianity). We do so by deriving the wavefunction $Ψ[ζ(\boldsymbol{x})]$ non-perturbatively in $ζ$, but at first order in the amplitude of the oscillations. The expression of the wavefunction of the universe (WFU) is explicit and does not require solving partial differential equations. One finds qualitative deviations from perturbation theory for $ |ζ| \gtrsim α^{-2}$, where $α\gg 1$ is the number of oscillations per Hubble time. Notably, the WFU exhibits distinct behaviours for negative and positive values of $ζ$ (troughs and peaks respectively). While corrections for $ζ<0$ remain relatively small, of the order of the oscillation amplitude, positive $ζ$ yields substantial effects, growing exponentially as $e^{πα/2}$ in the limit of large $ζ$. This indicates that even minute oscillations give large effects on the tail of the distribution.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Gravitational radiation from a particle plunging into a Schwarzschild black hole: frequency-domain and semirelativistic analyses

We revisit the classic problem of gravitational wave emission by a test particle plunging into a Schwarzschild black hole both in the frequency-domain Regge-Wheeler-Zerilli formalism and in the semirelativistic approximation. We use, and generalize, a transformation due to Nakamura, Sasaki, and Shibata to improve the falloff of the source term of the Zerilli function. The faster decay improves the numerical convergence of quantities of interest, such as the energy radiated at spatial infinity through gravitational waves. As a test of the method, we study the gravitational radiation produced by test particles that plunge into the black hole with impact parameters close to the threshold for scattering. We recover and expand upon previous results that were obtained using the Sasaki-Nakamura equation. In particular, we study the relative contributions to the total energy radiated due to waves of axial and polar parity, and uncover an universal behavior in the waveforms at late times. We complement our study with a semirelativistic analysis of the problem, and we compare the two approaches. The generalized Nakamura-Sasaki-Shibata transformation presented here is a simple and practical alternative for the analysis of gravitational-wave emission by unbound orbits in the Schwarzschild spacetime using the frequency-domain Regge-Wheeler-Zerilli formalism.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Weakly Lensed Gravitational Waves: Probing Cosmic Structures with Wave-Optics Features

Every signal propagating through the universe is at least weakly lensed by the intervening gravitational field. In some situations, wave-optics phenomena (diffraction, interference) can be observed as frequency-dependent modulations of the waveform of gravitational waves (GWs). We will denote these signatures as Wave-Optics Features (WOFs) and analyze them in detail. Our framework can efficiently and accurately compute WOF in the single-image regime, of which weak lensing is a limit. The phenomenology of WOF is rich and offers valuable information: the dense cusps of individual halos appear as peaks in Green's function for lensing. If resolved, these features probe the number, effective masses, spatial distribution and inner profiles of substructures. High signal-to-noise GW signals reveal WOFs well beyond the Einstein radius, leading to a fair probability of observation by upcoming detectors such as LISA. Potential applications of WOF include reconstruction of the lens' projected density, delensing standard sirens and inferring large-scale structure morphology and the halo mass function. Because WOF are sourced by light halos with negligible baryonic content, their detection (or lack thereof) holds promise to test dark matter scenarios.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Gravitational wave lensing as a probe of halo properties and dark matter

Just like light, gravitational waves (GWs) are deflected and magnified by gravitational fields as they propagate through the Universe. However, their low frequency, phase coherence and feeble coupling to matter allow for distinct lensing phenomena, such as diffraction and central images, that are challenging to observe through electromagnetic sources. Here we explore how these phenomena can be used to probe features of gravitational lenses. We focus on two variants of the singular isothermal sphere, with 1) a variable slope of the matter density and 2) a central core. We describe the imprints of these features in the wave- and geometric-optics regimes, including the prospect of detecting central images. We forecast the capacity of LISA and advanced LIGO to study strongly lensed signals and measure the projected lens mass, impact parameter and slope or core size. A broad range of lens masses allows all parameters to be measured with precision up to $\sim 1/{\rm SNR}$, despite large degeneracies. Thanks to wave-optics corrections, all parameters can be measured, even when no central image forms. Although GWs are sensitive to projected quantities, we compute the probability distribution of lens redshift, virial mass and projection scale given a cosmology. As an application, we consider the prospect of constraining self-interacting and ultra-light dark matter, showing the regions of parameter space accessible to strongly-lensed GWs. The distinct GW signatures will enable novel probes of fundamental physics and astrophysics, including the properties of dark matter and the central regions of galactic halos.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Lensing of gravitational waves: efficient wave-optics methods and validation with symmetric lenses

Gravitational wave (GW) astronomy offers the potential to probe the wave-optics regime of gravitational lensing. Wave optics (WO) effects are relevant at low frequencies, when the wavelength is comparable to the characteristic lensing time delay multiplied by the speed of light, and are thus often negligible for electromagnetic signals. Accurate predictions require computing the conditionally convergent diffraction integral, which involves highly oscillatory integrands and is numerically difficult. We develop and implement several methods to compute lensing predictions in the WO regime valid for general gravitational lenses. First, we derive approximations for high and low frequencies, obtaining explicit expressions for several analytic lens models. Next, we discuss two numerical methods suitable in the intermediate frequency range: 1) Regularized contour flow yields accurate answers in a fraction of a second for a broad range of frequencies. 2) Complex deformation is slower, but requires no knowledge of solutions to the geometric lens equation. Both methods are independent and complement each other. We verify sub-percent accuracy for several lens models, which should be sufficient for applications to GW astronomy in the near future. Apart from modelling lensed GWs, our method will also be applicable to the study of plasma lensing of radio waves and tests of gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Beyond Perturbation Theory in Inflation

Inflationary perturbations are approximately Gaussian and deviations from Gaussianity are usually calculated using in-in perturbation theory. This method, however, fails for unlikely events on the tail of the probability distribution: in this regime non-Gaussianities are important and perturbation theory breaks down for $|ζ| \gtrsim |f_{\rm \scriptscriptstyle NL}|^{-1}$. In this paper we show that this regime is amenable to a semiclassical treatment, $\hbar \to 0$. In this limit the wavefunction of the Universe can be calculated in saddle-point, corresponding to a resummation of all the tree-level Witten diagrams. The saddle can be found by solving numerically the classical (Euclidean) non-linear equations of motion, with prescribed boundary conditions. We apply these ideas to a model with an inflaton self-interaction $\propto λ\dotζ^4$. Numerical and analytical methods show that the tail of the probability distribution of $ζ$ goes as $\exp(-λ^{-1/4}ζ^{3/2})$, with a clear non-perturbative dependence on the coupling. Our results are relevant for the calculation of the abundance of primordial black holes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Dark-Energy Instabilities induced by Gravitational Waves

We point out that dark-energy perturbations may become unstable in the presence of a gravitational wave of sufficiently large amplitude. We study this effect for the cubic Horndeski operator (braiding), proportional to $α_{\rm B}$. The scalar that describes dark-energy fluctuations features ghost and/or gradient instabilities for gravitational-wave amplitudes that are produced by typical binary systems. Taking into account the populations of binary systems, we conclude that the instability is triggered in the whole Universe for $|α_{\rm B} |\gtrsim 10^{-2}$, i.e. when the modification of gravity is sizeable. The instability is triggered by massive black-hole binaries down to frequencies corresponding to $10^{10}$ km: the instability is thus robust, unless new physics enters on even longer wavelengths. The fate of the instability and the subsequent time-evolution of the system depend on the UV completion, so that the theory may end up in a state very different from the original one. The same kind of instability is present in beyond-Horndeski theories for $|α_{\rm H}| \gtrsim 10^{-20}$. In conclusion, the only dark-energy theories with sizeable cosmological effects that avoid these problems are $k$-essence models, with a possible conformal coupling with matter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Resonant Decay of Gravitational Waves into Dark Energy

We study the decay of gravitational waves into dark energy fluctuations $π$, taking into account the large occupation numbers. We describe dark energy using the effective field theory approach, in the context of generalized scalar-tensor theories. When the $m_3^3$ (cubic Horndeski) and $\tilde m_4^2$ (beyond Horndeski) operators are present, the gravitational wave acts as a classical background for $π$ and modifies its dynamics. In particular, $π$ fluctuations are described by a Mathieu equation and feature instability bands that grow exponentially. Focusing on the regime of small gravitational-wave amplitude, corresponding to narrow resonance, we calculate analytically the produced $π$, its energy and the change of the gravitational-wave signal. The resonance is affected by $π$ self-interactions in a way that we cannot describe analytically. This effect is very relevant for the operator $m_3^3$ and it limits the instability. In the case of the $\tilde m_4^2$ operator self-interactions can be neglected, at least in some regimes. The modification of the gravitational-wave signal is observable for $3 \times 10^{-20} \lesssim α_{\rm H} \lesssim 10^{-17}$ with a LIGO/Virgo-like interferometer and for $10^{-16} \lesssim α_{\rm H} \lesssim 10^{-10}$ with a LISA-like one.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Gravitational Wave Decay into Dark Energy

We study the decay of gravitational waves into dark energy fluctuations $π$, through the processes $γ\to ππ$ and $γ\to γπ$, made possible by the spontaneous breaking of Lorentz invariance. Within the EFT of Dark Energy (or Horndeski/beyond Horndeski theories) the first process is large for the operator $\frac12 \tilde m_4^2(t) \, δg^{00}\, \left( {}^{(3)}\! R + δK_μ^νδK^μ_ν-δK^2 \right)$, so that the recent observations force $\tilde m_4 =0$ (or equivalently $α_{\rm H}=0$). This constraint, together with the requirement that gravitational waves travel at the speed of light, rules out all quartic and quintic GLPV theories. Additionally, we study how the same couplings affect the propagation of gravitons at loop order. The operator proportional to $\tilde m_4^2$ generates a calculable, non-Lorentz invariant higher-derivative correction to the graviton propagation. The modification of the dispersion relation provides a bound on $\tilde m_4^2$ comparable to the one of the decay. Conversely, operators up to cubic Horndeski do not generate sizeable higher-derivative corrections.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2017

Inflation and reheating in scale-invariant scalar-tensor gravity

We consider the scale-invariant inflationary model studied in [1]. The Lagrangian includes all the scale-invariant operators that can be built with combinations of $R$, $R^2$ and one scalar field. The equations of motion show that the symmetry is spontaneously broken after an arbitrarily long inflationary period and a fundamental mass scale is generated. Upon symmetry breaking, and in the Jordan frame, both Hubble function and the scalar field undergo damped oscillations that can eventually amplify Standard Model fields and reheat the Universe. In the present work, we study in detail inflation and the reheating mechanism of this model in the Einstein frame and we compare some of the results with the latest observational data.

gr-qc↗