arXiv subjects

J. Kunz

Publications and source records attributed to J. Kunz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Testing Gravity with Binary Pulsars in the SKA Era

Binary (and trinary) radio pulsars are natural laboratories in space for understanding gravity in the strong field regime, with many unique and precise tests carried out so far, including the most precise tests of the strong equivalence principle and of the radiative properties of gravity. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope, with its high sensitivity in the Southern Hemisphere, will vastly improve the timing precision of recycled pulsars, allowing for a deeper search of potential deviations from general relativity (GR) in currently known systems. A Galactic census of pulsars will, in addition, will yield the discovery of dozens of relativistic pulsar systems, including potentially pulsar -- black hole binaries, which can be used to test the cosmic censorship hypothesis and the ``no-hair'' theorem. Aspects of gravitation to be explored include tests of strong equivalence principles, gravitational dipole radiation, extra field components of gravitation, gravitomagnetism, and spacetime symmetries. In this chapter, we describe the kinds of gravity tests possible with binary pulsar and outline the features and abilities that SKA must possess to best contribute to this science.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Testing Gravity with Binary Pulsars in the SKA Era

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Skyrmions and pion stars in the $U(1)$ gauged Einstein-Skyrme model

We consider topological and non-topological regular soliton solutions in the Einstein-Maxwell-Skyrme theory. We analyze the properties of these solutions and determine their domains of existence. The dependence of the solutions on the gauge coupling and on the strength of the effective gravitational coupling are examined. Topologically trivial localized field configurations, \textit{pion stars}, are shown to exist, as non-linear gravitational bound states of the Skyrme field. Both spherically-symmetric and axially-symmetric pion stars are considered. We find that these solutions share many features with the usual (mini-)boson stars. In particular they also exhibit a spiraling behavior and do not possess a flat space limit.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Quasinormal ringing of regular black holes in asymptotically safe gravity: the importance of overtones

Asymptotically safe gravity is based on the idea that the main contribution to the Schwarzschild-like black hole spacetime is due to the value of the gravitational coupling which depends on the distance from the origin and approaches its classical value in the far zone. However, at some stage this approach has an arbitrariness of choice of some identification parameter. The two cases of identification are considered here: first, by the modified proper length (the Bonanno-Reuter metric), and second, by the Kretschmann scalar (the metric for this case coincides, up to the redefinition of constants, with the Hayward metric). Even though the quasinormal modes of these metrics have been extensively studied, a number of interesting points were missed. We have found that quasinormal modes are qualitatively similar for both types of identification. The deviation of the fundamental mode from its Schwarzschild limit may be a few times larger than it was claimed in the previous studies. The striking deviation from the Schwarzschild limit occurs for overtones, being as large as hundreds of percent even when the fundamental mode is almost coinciding with the Schwarzschild one. This happens because the above metrics are very close to the Schwarzschild one everywhere, except a small region near the event horizon, which is crucial for overtones. The spectrum of both metrics contains purely imaginary (non-oscillatory) modes, which, for some values of parameters, can appear already at the second overtone.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Universal relations for quasinormal modes of neutron stars in $R^2$ gravity

We construct quasinormal modes for neutron stars in $R^2$ gravity in the Einstein frame, considering scalar masses in the sub-neV range. In particular, we investigate the fundamental quadrupole fluid f-modes and the dipole fluid F-modes. Employing six equations of state covering matter content with nucleons, hyperons, and quarks, we then propose universal relations for the quadrupole f-modes and dipole F-modes. The dipole F-modes are ultra-long lived and, for the lower scalar masses, their frequencies are inversely proportional to the corresponding Compton wavelength.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Horndeski Proca stars with vector hair

We study Proca stars in a vector-tensor gravity model inspired by Horndeski's generalized Einstein-Maxwell field equations, supplemented with a mass term for the vector field. We discuss the effects of the non-minimal coupling term on the properties of the resulting Proca stars. %and show that they can form vector hair. We show that the sign of the coupling constant is crucial in determining the generic properties of these generalized Proca star solutions, as soon as the magnitude of the coupling constant is sufficiently large to allow for significant deviations from the standard Proca star case. For negative coupling constant we observe a new type of limiting behavior for the generalized Proca stars, where the spacetime splits into an interior region with matter fields and an exterior Schwarzschild region.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

$U(1)$ gauged boson stars in the Einstein-Friedberg-Lee-Sirlin model

We consider spherically symmetric $U(1)$ gauged boson stars in the two-component scalar Friedberg-Lee-Sirlin model with a symmetry breaking potential in 3+1 dimensional spacetime. Depending on the relative strength of gravity and the electromagnetic interaction, the resulting boson stars exhibit either the typical properties of ungauged boson stars, or their behavior resembles the pattern found for gauged Q-balls of the Friedberg-Lee-Sirlin model in flat spacetime, both for a finite and a vanishing potential.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Mass gap for a monopole interacting with a nonlinear spinor field

Within SU(2) Yang-Mills theory with a source of the non-Abelian gauge field in the form of a classical spinor field, we study the dependence of the mass gap on the coupling constant between the gauge and nonlinear spinor fields. It is shown that the total dimensionless energy of the monopole interacting with the nonlinear spinor fields depends only on the dimensionless coupling constant.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Blandford-Znajek mechanism in the general stationary axially-symmetric black-hole spacetime

We consider the Blandford-Znajek process of electromagnetic extraction of energy from a general axially symmetric asymptotically flat slowly rotating black hole. Using the general parametrization of the black-hole spacetime we construct formulas for the flux of the magnetic field and the rate of energy extraction, which are valid not only for the Kerr spacetime, but also for its arbitrary axially symmetric deformations. We show that in the dominant order these quantities depend only on a single deformation parameter, which relates the spin frequency of a black hole with its rotation parameter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Chains of Boson Stars

We study axially symmetric multi-soliton solutions of a complex scalar field theory with a sextic potential, minimally coupled to Einstein's gravity. These solutions carry no angular momentum and can be classified by the number of nodes of the scalar field, $k_z$, along the symmetry axis; they are interpreted as chains with $k_z+1$ boson stars, bound by gravity, but kept apart by repulsive scalar interactions. Chains with an odd number of constituents show a spiraling behavior for their ADM mass (and Noether charge) in terms of their angular frequency, similarly to a single fundamental boson star, as long as the gravitational coupling is small; for larger coupling, however, the inner part of the spiral is replaced by a merging with the fundamental branch of radially excited spherical boson stars. Chains with an even number of constituents exhibit a truncated spiral pattern, with only two or three branches, ending at a limiting solution with finite values of ADM mass and Noether charge.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Multipolar boson stars: macroscopic Bose-Einstein condensates akin to hydrogen orbitals

Boson stars are often described as macroscopic Bose-Einstein condensates. By accommodating large numbers of bosons in the same quantum state, they materialize macroscopically the intangible probability density cloud of a single particle in the quantum world. We take this interpretation of boson stars one step further. We show, by explicitly constructing the fully non-linear solutions, that static (in terms of their spacetime metric, $g_{μν}$) boson stars, composed of a single complex scalar field, $Φ$, can have a non-trivial multipolar structure, yielding the same morphologies for their energy density as those that elementary hydrogen atomic orbitals have for their probability density. This provides a close analogy between the elementary solutions of the non-linear Einstein--Klein-Gordon theory, denoted $Φ_{(N,\ell,m)}$, which could be realized in the macrocosmos, and those of the linear Schrödinger equation in a Coulomb potential, denoted $Ψ_{(N,\ell,m)}$, that describe the microcosmos. In both cases, the solutions are classified by a triplet of quantum numbers $(N,\ell,m)$. In the gravitational theory, multipolar boson stars can be interpreted as individual bosonic lumps in equilibrium; remarkably, the (generic) solutions with $m\neq 0$ describe gravitating solitons $[g_{μν},Φ_{(N,\ell,m)}]$ without any continuous symmetries. Multipolar boson stars analogue to hybrid orbitals are also constructed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Kerr black holes with parity-odd scalar hair

We study Kerr black holes with synchronised non-trivial parity-odd massive scalar hair in four dimensional asymptotically flat space-time. These axially symmetric stationary spinning solutions of the minimally coupled Einstein-Klein-Gordon theory provide yet another example of bound states in synchronous rotation with the event horizon. We discuss the properties of these parity-odd hairy black holes and boson stars and exhibit their domain of existence. Considering the ergo-regions of these hairy black holes, we show that apart from the previously discussed ergo-sphere and ergo-Saturn, they support a new type of composite ergo-surfaces with the topology of a double-torus-Saturn $(S^1\times S^1)\bigoplus(S^1\times S^1)\bigoplus S^2$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Early-Time Flux Measurements of SN 2014J Obtained with Small Robotic Telescopes: Extending the AAVSO Light Curve

In this work, early-time photometry of supernova (SN) 2014J is presented, extending the AAVSO CCD database to prediscovery dates. The applicability of NASA's small robotic MicroObservatory Network telescopes for photometric measurements is evaluated. Prediscovery and postdiscovery photometry of SN 2014J is measured from images taken by two different telescopes of the network, and is compared to measurements from the Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope and the Itagaki Observatory. In the early light-curve phase (which exhibits stable spectral behavior with constant color indices), these data agree with reasonably high accuracy (better than 0.05 mag around maximum brightness, and 0.15 mag at earlier times). Owing to the changing spectral energy distribution of the SN and the different spectral characteristics of the systems used, differences increase after maximum light. We augment light curves of SN 2014J downloaded from the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) online database with these data, and consider the complete brightness evolution of this important Type Ia SN. Furthermore, the first detection presented here (Jan. 15.427, 2014) appears to be one of the earliest observations of SN 2014J yet published, taken less than a day after the SN exploded.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

Pathway to the Square Kilometre Array - The German White Paper -

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the most ambitious radio telescope ever planned. With a collecting area of about a square kilometre, the SKA will be far superior in sensitivity and observing speed to all current radio facilities. The scientific capability promised by the SKA and its technological challenges provide an ideal base for interdisciplinary research, technology transfer, and collaboration between universities, research centres and industry. The SKA in the radio regime and the European Extreme Large Telescope (E-ELT) in the optical band are on the roadmap of the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and have been recognised as the essential facilities for European research in astronomy. This "White Paper" outlines the German science and R&D interests in the SKA project and will provide the basis for future funding applications to secure German involvement in the Square Kilometre Array.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2013

Quantum torsion with non-zero standard deviation: non-perturbative approach for cosmology

Cosmology with non-perturbative quantum corrections resulting from torsion is considered. It is shown that the evolution of closed, open and flat Universes is changed because of the presence of a non-zero dispersion of quantum torsion. The evolution of a Universe with quantum torsion and with one type of average curvature can be similar to the evolution of a Universe without quantum torsion and with another type of average curvature. For the description of the non-perturbative quantum torsion, a vector field approximation is applied.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

A Star Harbouring a Wormhole at its Core

We consider a configuration consisting of a wormhole filled by a perfect fluid. Such a model can be applied to describe stars as well as neutron stars with a nontrivial topology. The presence of a tunnel allows for motion of the fluid, including oscillations near the core of the system. Choosing the polytropic equation of state for the perfect fluid, we obtain static regular solutions. Based on these solutions, we consider small radial oscillations of the configuration and show that the solutions are stable with respect to linear perturbations in the external region.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

Some thick brane solutions in $f(R)$-gravity

The thick brane model is considered in $f(R)\sim R^n$ gravity. It is shown that regular asymptotically anti-de Sitter solutions exist in some range of values of the parameter $n$. A peculiar feature of this model is the existence of a fixed point in the phase plane where all solutions start, and the brane can be placed at this point. The presence of the fixed point allows to avoid fine tuning of the model parameters to obtain thick brane solutions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

Analytic solutions of the geodesic equation in axially symmetric space-times

The complete sets of analytic solutions of the geodesic equation in Taub--NUT--(anti-)de Sitter, Kerr--(anti-)de Sitter and also in general Plebanski--Demianski space--times without acceleration are presented. The solutions are given in terms of the Kleinian sigma functions.

gr-qc↗