arXiv subjects

Herman J. Mosquera Cuesta

Publications and source records attributed to Herman J. Mosquera Cuesta.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

Hubble diagram of gamma-ray bursts and prevalence of energy conditions in Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker Cosmology

In this {\sl Letter} we construct the Hubble diagram (HD) for the standard Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmological model after enforcing it with the general relativistic energy conditions, heeding to investigate whether it still stands on as the leading scenario for cosmology in face of the distance modulus-redshift relation of a sample of GRBs that had their redshifts properly estimated and corrected upon applying on the data analysis the {\sl Ghirlanda relation} (Ghirlanda et al. 2004) and the recently discovered {\sl Firmani et al. relation} (Firmani et al. 2006a). Our $χ^2$ analysis support the view that FLRW plus the strong energy condition (SEC) is what better fits the GRB data. But this is not the whole story, since for a cosmological constant $Λ\neq 0$ the FLRW+SEC analysis with undefined $p=p(ρ)$ suggests that $Λ$ is not constant anyhow, because it does not follows the $p= ωρ$ HD, with $ω=-1$. Thenceforth, one concludes that either the cosmological constant does not exist at all, and consequently one is left with the FLRW+SEC which fits properly the GRBs HD and there is no late-time acceleration, or it does exist but should be time-varying. This all is contrary to current views based on SNIa observations that advogate for an actual constant $Λ$ and an accelerating universe. In connection to the results above, this last argumentation would imply that either there is something wrong with the SNIa interpretation regarding cosmic late-time acceleration (Middleditch 2006) or we will have to move away from general relativity. We would better to think that general relativity is still the most correct theory of gravity.

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arXiv2006

Warping and precession in galactic and extragalactic accretion disks

The Bardeen-Petterson general relativistic effect has been suggested as the mechanism responsible for precession in some accretion disk systems. Here we examine separately four mechanisms (tidally-induced, irradiation-induced, magnetically-induced and Bardeen-Petterson-induced) that can lead to warping and precession. We use a sample of eight X-ray binaries and four Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) that present signatures of warping and/or precession in their accretion disks to explore the viability of the different mechanisms. For the X-ray binaries SMC X-1 and 4U 1907+09 all four mechanisms provide precession periods compatible with those observed, while for Cyg X-1 and the active galaxies Arp 102B and NGC 1068, only two mechanisms are in agreement with the observations. The irradiation-driven instability seems incapable of producing the inferred precession of the active galaxies in our sample, and the tidally-induced precession can probably be ruled out in the case of Arp 102B. Perhaps the best case for a Bardeen-Petterson precession can be achieved for NGC 1068. Our results show that given the many observational uncertainties that still exist, it is extremely difficult to confirm unambiguously that the Bardeen-Petterson effect has been observed in any of the other sources of our sample.

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arXiv2006

Supermassive screwed cosmic string in dilaton gravity

The early Universe might have undergone phase transitions at energy scales much higher than the one corresponding to the Grand Unified Theories (GUT) scales. At these higher energy scales, the transition at which gravity separated from all other interactions; the so-called Planck era, more massive strings called supermassive cosmic strings, could have been produced, with energy of about 10^{19}GeV. The dynamics of strings formed with this energy scale cannot be described by means of the weak-field approximation, as in the standard procedure for ordinary GUT cosmic strings. As suggested by string theories, at this extreme energies, gravity may be transmitted by some kind of scalar field (usually called the {\it dilaton}) in addition to the tensor field of Einstein's theory of gravity. It is then permissible to tackle the issue regarding the dynamics of supermassive cosmic strings within this framework. With this aim we obtain the gravitational field of a supermassive screwed cosmic string in a scalar-tensor theory of gravity. We show that for the supermassive configuration exact solutions of scalar-tensor screwed cosmic strings can be found in connection with the Bogomol'nyi limit. We show that the generalization of Bogomol'nyi arguments to the Brans-Dicke theory is possible when torsion is present and we obtain an exact solution in this supermassive regime, with the dilaton solution obtained by consistency with internal constraints.

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arXiv2005

Bardeen-Petterson effect and the disk structure of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068

VLBA high spatial resolution observations of the disk structure of the active galactic nucleus NGC 1068 has recently revealed that the kinematics and geometry of this AGN is well characterized by an outer disk of H2O maser emission having a compact milliarcsecond (parsec) scale structure, which is encircling a thin rotating inner disk surrounding a ~10^7 M$_\sun$ compact mass, likely a black hole. A curious feature in this source is the occurrence of a misalignment between the inner and outer parts of the disk, with the galaxy's radio jet being orthogonal to the inner disk. We interpret this peculiar configuration as due to the Bardeen-Petterson effect, a general relativistic effect that warps an initially inclined (to the black hole equator) viscous disk, and drives the angular momentum vector of its inner part into alignment with the rotating black hole spin. We estimate the time-scale for both angular momenta to get aligned as a function the spin parameter of the Kerr black hole. We also reproduce the shape of the parsec and kiloparsec scale jets, assuming a model in which the jet is precessing with a period and aperture angle that decrease exponentially with time, as expected from the Bardeen-Petterson effect.

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arXiv2005

Einstein's gravitational lensing and nonlinear electrodynamics

In 1936 Einstein predicted the phenomenon presently known as gravitational lensing (GL). A prime feature of GL is the magnification, because of the gravitational field, of the star visible surface as seen from a distant observer. We show here that nonlinear electrodynamics (NLED) modifies in a fundamental basis Einstein's general relativistic (GR) original derivation. The effect becomes apparent by studying the light propagation from a strongly magnetic ($B$) pulsar (SMP). Unlike its GR counterpart, the photon dynamics in NLED leads to a new effective GL, which depends also on the $B$-field permeating the pulsar. The apparent radius of a SMP appears then unexpectedly diminished, by a large factor, as compared to the classical Einstein's prediction. This may prove very crucial in determining physical properties of high $B$-field stars from their X-ray emission.

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arXiv2004

An origin for the main pulsation and overtones of SGR1900+14 during the August 27 (1998) superoutburst

The crucial observation on the occurrence of subpulses (overtones) in the Power Spectral Density of the August 27 (1998) event from SGR1900+14, as discovered by BeppoSAX (Feroci et al. 1999), has received no consistent explanation in the context of the competing theories to explain the SGRs phenomenology: the magnetar and accretion-driven models. Based on the ultra-relativistic, ultracompact X-ray binary model introduced in the accompanying paper (Mosquera Cuesta 2004a), I present here a self-consistent explanation for such an striking feature. I suggest that both the fundamental mode and the overtones observed in SGR1900+14 stem from pulsations of a massive white dwarf (WD). The fundamental mode (and likely some of its harmonics) is excited because of the mutual gravitational interaction with its orbital companion (a NS, envisioned here as point mass object) whenever the binary Keplerian orbital frequency is a multiple integer number ($m$) of that mode frequency (Pons et al. 2002). Besides, a large part of the powerful irradiation from the fireball-like explosion occurring on the NS (after partial accretion of disk material) is absorbed in different regions of the star driving the excitation of other multipoles (Podsiadlowski 1991,1995), i.e., the overtones (fluid modes of higher frequency). Part of this energy is then reemitted into space from the WD surface or atmosphere. This way, the WD lightcurve carries with it the signature of these pulsations inasmuch the way as it happens with the Sun pulsations in Helioseismology. It is shown that our theoretical prediction on the pulsation spectrum agrees quite well with the one found by BeppoSAX (Feroci et al. 1999). A feature confirmed by numerical simulations (Montgomery & Winget 2000).

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arXiv2004

A white dwarf-neutron star relativistic binary model for soft gamma-ray repeaters

A scenario for SGRs is introduced in which gravitational radiation reaction effects drive the dynamics of an ultrashort orbital period X-ray binary embracing a high-mass donor white dwarf (WD) to a rapidly rotating low magnetised massive neutron star (NS) surrounded by a thick, dense and massive accretion torus. Driven by GR reaction, sparsely, the binary separation reduces, the WD overflows its Roche lobe and the mass transfer drives unstable the accretion disk around the NS. As the binary circular orbital period is a multiple integer number ($m$) of the period of the WD fundamental mode (Pons et al. 2002), the WD is since long pulsating at its fundamental mode; and most of its harmonics, due to the tidal interaction with its NS orbital companion. Hence, when the powerful irradiation glows onto the WD; from the fireball ejected as part of the disk matter slumps onto the NS, it is partially absorbed. This huge energy excites other WD radial ($p$-mode) pulsations (Podsiadlowski 1991,1995). After each mass-transfer episode the binary separation (and orbital period) is augmented significantly (Deloye & Bildsten 2003; Alécyan & Morsink 2004) due to the binary's angular momentum redistribution. Thus a new adiabatic inspiral phase driven by GR reaction starts which brings the binary close again, and the process repeats. This model allows to explain most of SGRs observational features: their recurrent activity, energetics of giant superoutbursts and quiescent stages, and particularly the intriguing subpulses discovered by BeppoSAX (Feroci et al. 1999), which are suggested here to be {\it overtones} of the WD radial fundamental mode (see the accompanying paper: Mosquera Cuesta 2004b).

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arXiv2004

Observational evidence of spin-induced precession in active galactic nuclei

We show that it is possible to explain the physical origin of jet precession in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) through the misalignment between the rotation axes of the accretion disk and of the Kerr black hole. We apply this scenario to quasars, Seyfert galaxies and also to the Galactic Center black hole Sgr A*, for which signatures of either jet or disk precession have been found. The formalism adopted is parameterized by the ratio of the precession period to the black hole mass and can be used to put constraints to the physical properties of the accretion disk as well as to the black hole spin in those systems.

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arXiv2004

Nonlinear electrodynamics and the gravitational redshift of highly magnetised neutron stars

The idea that the nonlinear electromagnetic interaction, i. e., light propagation in vacuum, can be geometrized was developed by Novello et al. (2000) and Novello & Salim (2001). Since then a number of physical consequences for the dynamics of a variety of systems have been explored. In a recent paper Mosquera Cuesta & Salim (2003) presented the first astrophysical study where such nonlinear electrodynamics (NLEDs) effects were accounted for in the case of a highly magnetized neutron star or pulsar. In that paper the NLEDs was invoked {\it a là} Euler-Heisenberg, which is an infinite series expansion of which only the first term was used for the analisys. The immediate consequence of that study was an overall modification of the space-time geometry around the pulsar, which is ``perceived'', in principle, only by light propagating out of the star. This translates into an significant change in the surface redshift, as inferred from absorption (emission) lines observed from a super magnetized pulsar. The result proves to be even more dramatic for the so-called magnetars, pulsars endowed with magnetic ($B$) fields higher then the Schafroth quantum electrodynamics critical $B$-field. Here we demonstrate that the same effect still appears if one calls for the NLEDs in the form of the one rigorously derived by Born & Infeld (1934) based on the special relativistic limit for the velocity of approaching of an elementary particle to a pointlike electron [From the mathematical point of view, the Born & Infeld (1934) NLEDs is described by an exact Lagrangean, whose dynamics has been successfully studied in a wide set of physical systems.].

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arXiv2004

Powerful gravitational-wave bursts from supernova neutrino oscillations

During supernova core collapse and bounce resonant active-to-active, as well as active-to-sterile, neutrino ($ν$) oscillations can take place. Over this phase weak magnetism increases antineutrino mean free paths, and thus its luminosity. Because oscillations feed mass-energy into the target $ν$ species, the large mass-squared difference between $ν$ states implies a huge amount of power to be given off as gravitational waves (GWs) due to the universal {\it spin-rotation} and the spin-magnetic coupling driven $ν$ anisotropic flow, which is coherent over the oscillation length. The spacetime strain produced is about two orders of magnitude larger than those from $ν$ difussion or neutron star matter anisotropies. GWs observatories as LIGO, VIRGO, GEO-600, TAMA-300, etc., can search for these bursts far out to the VIRGO cluster of galaxies.

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arXiv2004

Neutrino Oscillations at Supernova Core Bounce Generate the Strongest Gravitational-Wave Bursts

During the core bounce of a supernova collapse resonant active-to-active ($ν_a \to ν_a$), as well as active-to-sterile ($ν_a \to ν_s$) neutrino ($ν$) oscillations can take place. Besides, over this phase weak magnetism increases antineutrino ($\barν$) mean free paths, and thus its luminosity. Because the oscillation feeds mass-energy into the target $ν$ species, the large mass-squared difference between species ($ν_a \to ν_s$) implies a huge amount of power to be given off as gravitational waves ($L_{\textrm{GWs}} \sim 10^{49}erg s$^{-1}$), due to anisotropic but coherent $ν$ flow over the oscillation length. This anisotropy in the $ν$-flux is driven by both the {\it universal spin-rotation} and the spin-magnetic coupling. The new spacetime strain estimated this way is still several orders of magnitude larger than those from $ν$ diffusion (convection and cooling) or quadrupole moments of the neutron star matter. This new feature turns these bursts the more promising supernova gravitational-wave signal that may be detected by observatories as LIGO, VIRGO, etc., for distances far out to the VIRGO cluster of galaxies.

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arXiv2004

Strongest gravitational waves from neutrino oscillations at supernova core bounce

Resonant active-to-active ($ν_a \to ν_a$), as well as active-to-sterile ($ν_a \to ν_s$) neutrino ($ν$) oscillations can take place during the core bounce of a supernova collapse. Besides, over this phase, weak magnetism increases antineutrino ($\barν$) mean free paths, and thus its luminosity. Because the oscillation feeds mass-energy into the target $ν$ species, the large mass-squared difference between species ($ν_a \to ν_s$) implies a huge amount of energy to be given off as gravitational waves ($L_{\textrm{GWs}} \sim 10^{49}$ erg s$^{-1}$), due to anisotropic but coherent $ν$ flow over the oscillation length. This asymmetric $ν$-flux is driven by both the spin-magnetic and the {\it universal spin-rotation} coupling. The novel contribution of this paper stems from 1) the new computation of the anisotropy parameter $α\sim 0.1-0.01$, and 2) the use of the tight constraints from neutrino experiments as SNO and KamLAND, and the cosmic probe WMAP, to compute the gravitational-wave emission during neutrino oscillations in supernovae core collapse and bounce. We show that the mass of the sterile neutrino $ν_s$ that can be resonantly produced during the flavor conversions makes it a good candidate for dark matter as suggested by Fuller et {\it al.} (2003). The new spacetime strain thus estimated is still several orders of magnitude larger than those from $ν$ difussion (convection and cooling) or quadrupole moments of neutron star matter. This new feature turns these bursts the more promissing supernova gravitational-wave signal that may be detected by observatories as LIGO, VIRGO, etc., for distances far out to the VIRGO cluster of galaxies.

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arXiv2004

Nonlinear electrodynamics and the surface redshift of pulsars

Currently is argued that the best method of determining the neutron star (NS) fundamental properties is by measuring the {\it gravitational redshift} ($z$) of spectral lines produced in the star photosphere. Measurement of $z$ at the star surface provides a unique insight on the NS mass-to-radius relation and thus on its equation of state (EoS), which reflects the physics of the strong interaction between particles making up the star. Evidence for such a measurement has been provided quite recently by Cottam, Paerels & Mendez (2002), and also by Sanwal et {\it al.} (2002). Here we argue that although the quoted observations are undisputed for canonical pulsars, they could be misidentified if the NS is endowed with a super strong $B$ as in the so-called magnetars (Duncan & Thompson 1992) and strange quark magnetars (Zhang 2002), as in the spectral line discovered by Ibrahim et {\it al.} (2002;2003). The source of this new "confusion" redshift is related to nonlinear electrodynamics (NLEDs) effects.

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arXiv2003

Charge Asymmetry in the Brane World and Formation of Charged Black Holes

In theories with an infinite extra dimension, free particles localized on the brane can leak out to the extra space. We argue that if there were color confinement in the bulk, electrons would be more able to escape than quarks and than protons (which are composed states). Thus, this process generates an electric charge asymmetry on brane matter densities. A primordial charge asymmetry during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis era is predicted. We use current bounds on this and on electron disappearance to constrain the parameter space of these models. Although the generated asymmetry is generically small, it could be particularly enhanced on large densities as in astrophysical objects, like massive stars. We suggest the possibility that such accumulation of charge may be linked, upon supernova collapse, to the formation of a charged Black Hole and the generation of Gamma-Ray Bursts.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

Bursts of gravitational radiation from superconducting cosmic strings and the neutrino mass spectrum

Berezinsky, Hnatyk and Vilenkin showed that superconducting cosmic strings could be central engines for cosmological gamma-ray bursts and for producing the neutrino component of ultra-high energy cosmic rays. A consequence of this mechanism would be that a detectable cusp-triggered gravitational wave burst should be released simultaneously with the $γ$-ray surge. If contemporary measurements of both $γ$ and $ν$ radiation could be made for any particular source, then the cosmological time-delay between them might be useful for putting unprecedently tight bounds on the neutrino mass spectrum. Such measurements could consistently verify or rule out the model, since strictly correlated behaviour is expected for the duration of the event and for the time variability of the spectra.

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arXiv2000

Astrophysical tests for the Novello-De Lorenci-Luciane theory of gravity: Gravitational-wave + neutrino bursts from local supernovae and gravitational-wave microlensing by Galactic (MACHOs) black holes

The Novello-DeLorenci-Luciane (NDL) field theory of gravitation predicts that gravitational waves (GWs) follow geodesics of a modified (effective) geometry with a speed lower than the velocity of light. The theory also demonstrates that GWs exhibit the phenomenon of birefringence, formerly believed to be exclusive of electromagnetic waves. Here prospective astrophysical tests of these predictions are proposed. I point out that future measurements of gravitational waves in coincidence with a non-gravitational process such as {\it a neutrino burst} (and likely a burst of gamma-rays) may prove useful to discriminate among all the existing theories of gravity. It is also stressed that microlensing of gravitational waves emitted by known galactic sources (i.e., pulsars) in the bulge, lensed by either the Galaxy's central black hole (Sgr A$^\ast$) or a MACHO object adrift among the Milky Way's stars, may provide a clean test of the birefringence phenomenon implied by the NDL gravity theory.

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arXiv2000

Magnetic Collapse of a Neutron Gas: No Magnetar Formation

A degenerate neutron gas in equilibrium with a background of electrons and protons in a magnetic field exerts its pressure anisotropically, having a smaller value perpendicular than along the magnetic field. For critical fields the magnetic pressure may produce the vanishing of the equatorial pressure of the neutron gas, and the outcome could be a transverse collapse of the star. This fixes a limit to the fields to be observable in stable pulsars as a function of their density. The final structure left over after the implosion might be a mixed phase of nucleons and meson ($π^{\pm,0},κ^{\pm,0}$) condensate (a strange star also likely) or a black string, but no magnetar at all.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2000

Weak-Scale Hidden Sector and Energy Transport in Fireball Models of Gamma-Ray Bursts

The annihilation of pairs of very weakly interacting particles in the neibourghood of gamma-ray sources is introduced here as a plausible mechanism to overcome the baryon load problem. This way we can explain how these very high energy gamma-ray bursts can be powered at the onset of very energetic events like supernovae (collapsars) explosions or coalescences of binary neutron stars. Our approach uses the weak-scale hidden sector models in which the Higgs sector of the standard model is extended to include a gauge singlet that only interacts with the Higgs particle. These particles would be produced either during the implosion of the red supergiant star core or at the aftermath of a neutron star binary merger. The whole energetics and timescales of the relativistic blast wave, the fireball, are reproduced.

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