arXiv subjects

Hai-Nan Lin

Publications and source records attributed to Hai-Nan Lin.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Comparison between hemisphere comparison method and dipole-fitting method in tracing the anisotropic expansion of the Universe use the Union2 dataset

Type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are often used as the standard candles to probe the anisotropic expansion of the Universe. In this paper, we make a comprehensive comparison between the hemisphere comparison (HC) method and dipole-fitting (DF) method in searching for the cosmological preferred direction using the Union2 dataset, a compilation of 557 well-calibrated SNe Ia. We find that the directions of the faintest SNe Ia derived from these two methods are approximately opposite. Monte Carlo simulations show that the results of the HC method strongly depend on the distribution of the data points in the sky. The coincidence that the HC method and DF method give two completely opposite directions may be due to the extremely nonuniform distribution of the Union2 dataset.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Gamma-ray polarization of synchrotron-self-Compton process from a highly relativistic jet

The high polarization observed in the prompt phase of some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) arouses extensive studies on the emission mechanism. In this paper, we investigate the polarization properties of the synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) process from a highly relativistic jet. A magnetic-dominated, baryon-loaded jet ejected from the central engine travels with a large Lorentz factor. Shells with slightly different velocities collide with each other and produce shocks. The shocks accelerate electrons to power-law distribution, and at the same time, magnify the magnetic field. Electrons move in the magnetic field and produce synchrotron photons. The synchrotron photons suffer from the Compton scattering (CS) process and then are detected by an observer locating slightly off-axis. We derive analytically the formulae of photon polarization in the SSC process in two magnetic configurations: magnetic field in the shock plane and perpendicular to the shock plane. We show that photons induced by the SSC process can be highly polarized, with the maximum polarization $Π\sim 24\%$ in the energy band $[0.5,5]$ MeV. The polarization depends on the viewing angles, peaking in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. In the energy band $[0.05,0.5]$ MeV, in which most $γ$-ray polarimeters are active, the polarization is about twice of that in the Thomson limit, reaching to $Π\sim 20\%$. This implies that the Klein-Nishina effect, which is often neglected in literatures, should be carefully considered.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

Constraining the Anisotropy of the Universe from Supernovae and Gamma-ray Bursts

Recently, an anisotropic cosmological model was proposed. An arbitrary 1-form, which picks out a privileged axis in the universe, was added to the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker line element. The distance-redshift relation was modified such that it is direction dependent. In this paper, we use the Union2 dataset and 59 high-redshift gamma-ray bursts to give constraints on the anisotropy of the universe. The results show that the magnitude of anisotropy is about $D=-0.044\pm0.018$, and the privileged axis points towards the direction $(l_0,b_0)=(306.1^{\circ}\pm 18.7^{\circ},-18.2^{\circ}\pm 11.2^{\circ})$ in the galactic coordinate system. The anisotropy is small and the isotropic cosmological model is an excellent approximation.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Constraining anisotropy of the universe from different groups of type-Ia supernovae

Recent released Planck data and other astronomical observations show that the universe may be anisotropic on large scales. Inspired by this, anisotropic cosmological models have been proposed. We note that the Finsler-Randers spacetime provides an appropriate framework for the anisotropic cosmology. By adding an arbitrary 1-form to the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) line element, a privileged axis in the universe is picked out. The distance-redshift relation is modified to be direction-dependent. We wish that the anisotropic cosmological model may be tested crossly by independent observations. Type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) calibrated from four different light curve fitters are used to constrain possible anisotropy of the universe. The magnitudes of anisotropy are all between 2% --- 5%, but the systematic uncertainty cannot be excluded. The directions of privileged axis seem to differ from each other. The statistical significance is not high enough to make a convincing conclusion. Nevertheless, the $1σ$ contours in the $(l,b)$ plane obtained from four groups of SNe Ia have an overlap, centering at $(l,b)\approx (170^{\circ},0^{\circ})$. Monte Carlo simulation shows that the anisotropy is unlikely to be caused by selection effect.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Gamma-ray burst polarization via Compton scattering process

Synchrotron radiation and Compton scattering are widely accepted as the most likely emission mechanisms of some astrophysical phenomena, such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The measurement on polarization of photons provides a useful tool to distinguish different emission mechanisms and structures of the emission region. Based on the differential cross section of a polarized photon scattered by an unpolarized electron of any initial momentum, we derive analytical formula of polarization for beamed photons scattered by isotropic electrons with a power law distribution. Numerical calculations are carried out in four special cases: electrons at rest, Thomson limit, head-on collision and monochromatic electrons. It is found that the maximum polarization can be as high as $100\%$ for low energy photons, if the electrons are at rest. Although polarization is highly suppressed due to the isotropic electrons, a maximum value of $\sim 10\% \-- 20\%$ can still be achieved. Compton scattering process can be used to explain the polarization of GRB 041219A and GRB 100826A.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

$Λ$CDM model with a scalar perturbation vs. preferred direction of the universe

We present a scalar perturbation for the $Λ$CDM model, which breaks the isotropic symmetry of the universe. Based on the Union2 data, the least-$χ^2$ fit of the scalar perturbed $Λ$CDM model shows that the universe has a preferred direction $(l,b)=(287^\circ\pm25^\circ,11^\circ\pm22^\circ)$. The magnitude of scalar perturbation is about $-2.3\times10^{-5}$. The scalar perturbation for the $Λ$CDM model implies a peculiar velocity, which is perpendicular to the radial direction. We show that the maximum peculiar velocities at redshift $z=0.15$ and $z=0.015$ equal to $73\pm28 \rm km\cdot s^{-1}$ and $1099\pm427 \rm km\cdot s^{-1}$, respectively. They are compatible with the constraints on peculiar velocity given by Planck Collaboration.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Polarization of photons scattered by electrons in any spectral distribution

Based on the quantum electrodynamics, we present a generic formalism of the polarization for beamed monochromatic photons scattered by electrons in any spectral distribution. The formulae reduce to the components of the Fano matrix when electrons are at rest. We mainly investigate the polarization in three scenarios, i.e., electrons at rest, isotropic electrons with a power law spectrum and thermal electrons. If the incident beam is polarized, the polarization is reduced significantly by isotropic electrons at large viewing angles, and the degree of polarization due to thermal electrons is about one times less than that of electrons in a power law. If the incident bean is unpolarized, soft $γ$-rays can lead to about 15% polarization at viewing angles around $π/4$. For isotropic electrons, one remarkable feature is that the polarization as a function of the incident photon energy always peaks roughly at 1 MeV, this is valid for both the thermal and power law cases. This feature can be used to distinguish the model of the inverse Compton scattering from that of the synchrotron radiation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Finslerian MOND versus the Strong Gravitational Lensing of the Early-type Galaxies

The gravitational lensing of Bullet Clusters and early-type galaxies pose serious challenges on the validity of MOND. Recently, Finslerian MOND, a generalization of MOND in the framework of Finsler gravity, has been proposed to explain the mass discrepancy problem of Bullet Cluster 1E 0657\ 558. In this paper, we check the validity of the Finslerian MOND in describing the strong gravitational lensing of early-type galaxies. The investigation on ten strong lenses of the CASTLES samples shows that there is no strong evidence for the existence of dark matter.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

Effects of spacetime anisotropy on the galaxy rotation curves

The observations on galaxy rotation curves show significant discrepancies from the Newtonian theory. This issue could be explained by the effect of the anisotropy of the spacetime. Conversely, the spacetime anisotropy could also be constrained by the galaxy rotation curves. Finsler geometry is a kind of intrinsically anisotropic geometry. In this paper, we study the effect of the spacetime anisotropy at the galactic scales in the Finsler spacetime. It is found that the Finslerian model has close relations with the Milgrom's MOND. By performing the best-fit procedure to the galaxy rotation curves, we find that the anisotropic effects of the spacetime become significant when the Newtonian acceleration $GM/r^2$ is smaller than the critical acceleration $a_0$. Interestingly, the critical acceleration $a_0$, although varies between different galaxies, is in the order of magnitude $cH_0/2π\sim 10^{-10} \rm{m\,\, s^{-2}}$.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

Finslerian MOND vs. observations of Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558

It is known that theory of MOND with spherical symmetry cannot account for the convergence $κ$-map of Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558. In this paper, we try to set up a Finslerian MOND, a generalization of MOND in Finsler spacetime. We use $Ric=0$ to obtain the gravitational vacuum field equation in a four-dimensional Finsler spacetime. To leading order in the post-Newtonian approximation, we obtain the explicit form of the Finslerian line element. It is simply the Schwarzschild's metric except for the Finslerian rescaling coefficient $f(v)$ of the radial coordinate $r$, i.e. $R=f(v(r))r$. By setting $f(v(r))=(1-\sqrt{a_0r^2/GM})^{-1}$, we obtain the famous MOND in a Finslerian framework. Taking a dipole and a quadrupole term into consideration, we give the convergence $κ$ in gravitational lensing astrophysics in our model. Numerical analysis shows that our prediction is to a certain extent in agreement with the observations of Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558. With the theoretical temperature $T$ taking the observed value 14.8 keV, the mass density profile of the main cluster obtained in our model is the same order as that given by the best-fit King $β$-model.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

Generalization of Rindler Potential at Cluster Scales in Randers-Finslerian Spacetime: a Possible Explanation of the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558?

The data of the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558 released on November 15, 2006 reveal that the strong and weak gravitational lensing convergence $κ$-map has an $8σ$ offset from the $Σ$-map. The observed $Σ$-map is a direct measurement of the surface mass density of the Intracluster medium(ICM) gas. It accounts for 83% of the averaged mass-fraction of the system. This suggests a modified gravity theory at large distances different from Newton's inverse-square gravitational law. In this paper, as a cluster scale generalization of Grumiller's modified gravity model (D. Grumiller, Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 211303 (2010)), we present a gravity model with a generalized linear Rindler potential in Randers-Finslerian spacetime without invoking any dark matter. The galactic limit of the model is qualitatively consistent with the MOND and Grumiller's. It yields approximately the flatness of the rotational velocity profile at the radial distance of several kpcs and gives the velocity scales for spiral galaxies at which the curves become flattened. Plots of convergence $κ$ for a galaxy cluster show that the peak of the gravitational potential has chances to lie on the outskirts of the baryonic mass center. Assuming an isotropic and isothermal ICM gas profile with temperature $T=14.8$ keV (which is the center value given by observations), we obtain a good match between the dynamical mass $M_\textmd{T}$ of the main cluster given by collisionless Boltzmann equation and that given by the King $β$-model. We also consider a Randers+dark matter scenario \textbf{and a $Λ$-CDM model} with the NFW dark matter distribution profile. We find that a mass ratio $η$ between dark matter and baryonic matter about 6 fails to reproduce the observed convergence $κ$-map for the isothermal temperature $T$ taking the observational center value.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Galaxies Rotation Curves in the Grumiller's Modified Gravity

The effective potential in the Grumiller's modified gravity [D. Grumiller, Phys. Rev. Lett {\bf 105}, 211303 (2010)] includes the Newtonian potential and a Rindler term. The fitting to the rotation curve data of eight galaxies suggests a universal Rindler acceleration $a\approx 0.30\times 10^{-10}$ m s$^{-2}$. We do a two-parameter fit first, with the mass-to-light ratio ($Υ_*$) and the Rindler acceleration ($a$) as free parameters. It is found that the data of six out of the eight galaxies fit well with the prediction of theory in the range $0\lesssim r \lesssim 40$ kpc, although the theoretical curves show a tendency of arising beyond this range. The Rindler accelerations of the six well-fitted galaxies have the same magnitude, with an average value $\bar{a}\approx0.30\times 10^{-10}$ m s$^{-2}$. Inspired by this fact, we then carry out a one-parameter ($Υ_*$) fit to the six galaxies, with $a$ fixed at $\bar{a}$, and find that the theory can still reproduce the observation. The value of Rindler acceleration we get here is a quarter of that of Milgrom's MOND. For the rest two galaxies, NGC5055 and DDO154, the fitting results are significantly improved if the photometric scale length ($h$) is included as another free parameter.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

A unified constraint on the Lorentz invariance violation from both short and long GRBs

Possible Lorentz invariance violation (LIV) has been investigated for a long time based on observations of GRBs . These arguments relied on the assumption that photons with different energy are emitted at the same place and time. In this work, we try to take account of the intrinsic time delay $Δt_{\rm int}$ between emissions of low and high energy photons by using the magnetic jet model. The possible LIV effects are discussed in a unified scenario both for long and short {\it Fermi}-detected GRBs. This leads to a unique quantum gravity energy scale $M_1c^2 \sim 1.0 \times 10^{20}$ GeV respecting the linear dispersion relation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Constraining the Bulk Lorentz Factor of GRB Outflow in the Magnetic-dominated Jet Model

Recent observations by the Fermi-LAT showed that there are delayed arrivals of GeV photons relative to the onset of MeV photons in some GRBs. In order to avoid a large optical depth, the minimal value of the Lorentz factor has been estimated to be higher than 1000 in some brightest bursts. In this paper, we present a detailed calculation of the time delay between the MeV and GeV photons in the framework of the magnetic-dominated jet model. We find that the time delay strongly depends on the saturated bulk Lorentz factor of the jet. Inspired by this fact, we use this model to calculate the Lorentz factors of the four brightest Fermi bursts. The results indicate that the Lorentz factors are much smaller than that obtained from the "single-zone" scenario. The short GRB 090510 has a minimal Lorentz factor 385, while the three long bursts GRB 080916c, GRB090902b and GRB 090926 have almost the same Lorentz factors, with an average value near 260. Another interesting result is that, for long bursts, GeV photons are emitted after the bulk Lorentz factor saturates. For the short GRB, however, MeV and GeV photons are emitted at the same phase, i.e., either at the expansion phase or at the coast phase.

astro-ph.HE↗