arXiv subjects

Jing-Zhi Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to Jing-Zhi Zhou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Angular power spectrum of induced gravitational waves: breaking model and parameter degeneracies in PTA observations

Large primordial curvature and tensor perturbations on small scales can generate second-order tensor-scalar induced gravitational waves (TSIGWs) through scalar-scalar, tensor-scalar, and tensor-tensor source terms. TSIGWs are recognized as one of the principal contributors to the stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) observations. We explore the energy density spectrum of second-order TSIGWs in the presence of non-Gaussian primordial curvature perturbations. Furthermore, we present the first calculation of the anisotropic angular power spectrum associated with second-order TSIGWs, which provides a promising tool to discriminate them from other SGWB sources.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

Inflation on the lattice: scalar Gauss-Bonnet single field inflation

We use lattice methods to study inflation in the scalar Gauss-Bonnet (SGB) gravity theory. We focus on the ultra-slow-roll scenario with the peak frequency falls into the PTA band. In the parameter range we consider, we find that the lattice results exceed the perturbative predictions, which differs from the case in Einstein gravity. We further find that lattice corrections become significant when the peak of the primordial curvature spectrum reaches $\sim 10^{-2}$. We calculate the energy density spectra of second-order scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) using the primordial power spectra obtained from both the lattice method and the traditional perturbative method, and analyze the SGB model in light of current pulsar timing array (PTA) observations. Our results indicate that lattice corrections enhance the ability of the SGB model to dominate the PTA observations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

Scalar induced gravitational waves as probes of dark QCD

We investigate scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) as probes of a dark QCD crossover. Motivated by twin Higgs and asymmetric twin baryon dark matter scenarios, we consider a dark QCD sector with a confinement scale approximately 5.5 times the Standard Model (SM) QCD scale. We construct the effective energy and entropy degrees of freedom for the SM supplemented by dark QCD sectors containing either three light dark quark flavors or all six dark quark flavors. The resulting equation of state parameter and sound speed are then used to solve the first-order scalar perturbations and the second-order SIGWs through the SM and dark QCD crossover epochs. For a monochromatic primordial curvature power spectrum, we first demonstrate that the realistic SM thermal history modifies the SIGW spectrum relative to the idealized radiation-dominated case. We then show that a dark QCD crossover generates an additional frequency-shifted distortion when the enhanced scalar mode reenters the horizon near the dark confinement scale. This distinctive feature can therefore serve as a characteristic signature of the dark QCD sector. Our results demonstrate that SIGWs provide a complementary cosmological probe of hidden confining sectors, with characteristic spectral features shifted to higher frequencies relative to the SM QCD imprint. The analysis developed in this work can also be extended to other well-motivated theories containing different dark confining sectors.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Probing small-scale anisotropic inflation with stochastic gravitational-wave background

In June 2023, multiple pulsar timing array (PTA) collaborations provided evidence for the existence of a stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB). As a significant source of the SGWBs, scalar-induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) receive extensive attention. We explore the influence of anisotropic primordial power spectra on second-order SIGWs and derive explicit expressions for the energy density spectra. For specific anisotropic inflation models, we analyze the impacts of Finslerian inflation and gauge field inflation models on PTA and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and generalize the findings to model-independent scenarios. Our results indicate that current PTA observations cannot rule out the existence of small-scale anisotropic primordial perturbations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

Probing small-scale primordial power spectra with induced gravitational waves

Large-scale primordial perturbations have been well constrained by current cosmological observations, but the properties of small-scale perturbations remain elusive. This study focuses on second-order induced gravitational waves generated by large-amplitude primordial scalar and tensor perturbations on small scales. In this case, the induced gravitational waves include contributions from three types of source terms: scalar-scalar, tensor-scalar, and tensor-tensor. To distinguish them from second-order scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs), we refer to those generated by these three source terms as tensor-scalar induced gravitational waves (TSIGWs). We provide the analytical expressions for the kernel functions and the corresponding energy density spectra of second-order TSIGWs. By combining observations of stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) across different scales, TSIGWs can be used to constrain small-scale primordial curvature perturbations and primordial gravitational waves. Furthermore, we discuss the feasibility of TSIGWs dominating the current pulsar timing array (PTA) observations under various primordial power spectra scenarios. Our results indicate that TSIGWs generated by monochromatic primordial power spectra might be more likely to dominate the current PTA observations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Cosmological constraints on small-scale primordial non-Gaussianity

In contrast to the large-scale primordial power spectrum $\mathcal{P}_ζ(k)$ and primordial non-Gaussianity $f_{\mathrm{NL}}$, which are strictly constrained, the small-scale $\mathcal{P}_ζ(k)$ and $f_{\mathrm{NL}}$ remain less restricted. Considering local-type primordial non-Gaussianity, we study the PBH and SIGW caused by large-amplitude small-scale primordial power spectrum. By analyzing current observational data from PTA, CMB, BAO, and abundance of PBH, and combining them with the SNR analysis of LISA, we rigorously constrain the parameter space of $\mathcal{P}_ζ(k)$ and $f_{\mathrm{NL}}$. Furthermore, we examine the effects of different shapes of the primordial power spectrum on these constraints and comprehensively calculate the Bayes factors for various models. Our results indicate that SIGW generated by a monochromatic primordial power spectrum are more likely to dominate current PTA observations, with the corresponding constraint on the primordial non-Gaussian parameter being $-10.0<f_{\mathrm{NL}}<1.2$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Tensor induced gravitational waves

Primordial gravitational waves on small scales are not tightly constrained by current cosmological observations, which allows for the possibility of large amplitudes at small scales. We investigate second-order tensor induced gravitational waves (TIGWs) sourced by primordial gravitational waves and present the corresponding corrections to the total energy density spectrum of gravitational wave. We analyze primordial gravitational waves with large amplitudes generated by various models at small scales. Our results indicate that when primordial gravitational waves on small scales sufficiently dominate the current PTA observations, corrections to the total energy density spectrum from second-order TIGWs may become pronounced in certain frequency bands.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Can tensor-scalar induced GWs dominate PTA observations ?

Observational constraints on small-scale primordial gravitational waves are considerably weaker than those on large scales. We focus on scenarios with significant primordial gravitational waves and curvature perturbations on small scales, studying the energy density spectrum of the second-order TSIGW. By leveraging current data from CMB, BAO, and PTA, combined with the SNR analysis of LISA, we can investigate how tensor-scalar induced gravitational waves affect observations on various scales, thus constraining the parameter space for primordial gravitational waves and curvature perturbations. The Bayes factor analysis suggests that TSIGW+PGW might be more likely to dominate current PTA observations compared to SMBHB.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Induced gravitational waves for arbitrary higher orders: vertex rules and loop diagrams in cosmological perturbation theory

Gravitational waves induced by primordial perturbations serve as crucial probes for studying the early universe, providing a significant window into potential new physics during cosmic evolution. Due to the potentially large amplitudes of primordial perturbations on small scales, the contributions of high-order cosmological perturbations are highly significant. We propose a vertex approach applicable to the study of induced gravitational waves for arbitrary higher orders. Using the vertex approach and tree diagrams, we can directly derive the explicit expressions of higher-order induced gravitational waves without involving the complex and lengthy calculations of higher-order cosmological perturbations. Correlations between different tree diagrams correspond to the loop diagrams of two-point correlation functions of induced gravitational waves. Our investigation reveals that one-particle reducible diagrams impact tensor-scalar induced gravitational waves while leaving scalar induced gravitational waves unaffected.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Constraints on primordial black holes from $N_{\text{eff}}$ : scalar induced gravitational waves as an extra radiation component

In June 2023, multiple pulsar timing array collaborations provided evidence for the existence of a stochastic gravitational wave background. Scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs), as one of the most likely sources of stochastic gravitational waves, have received widespread attention. When primordial curvature perturbations on small scales are sufficiently large, \acp{PBH} inevitably form, concurrently producing SIGWs with significant observable effects. These SIGWs can serve as an additional radiation component, influencing the relativistic degrees of freedom $N_{\text{eff}}$. Taking into account primordial non-Gaussianity, we study the energy density spectrum of SIGWs up to the third order and use the current observational data of $N_{\text{eff}}$ to constrain small-scale primordial curvature perturbations and the abundance of \acp{PBH}.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Scalar induced gravitational waves in f(R) gravity

We investigate the first and second order cosmological perturbation equations in f(R) modified gravity theory and provide the equation of motion of second order scalar induced gravitational waves. We find that the effects of modified gravity not only change the form of the equation of motion of second order scalar induced gravitational waves but also contribute an additional anisotropic stress tensor, composed of first order scalar perturbations, to the source term of the gravitational waves. We calculate the energy density spectrum of second order scalar induced gravitational waves in the HS model. Utilizing current pulsar timing array observational data, we perform a rigorous Bayesian analysis of the parameter space of the HS model.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Primordial black holes and scalar induced density perturbations: the effects of probability density functions

We investigate the second order energy density perturbation $δ^{(2)}$ induced by small-scale Gaussian and local-type non-Gaussian primordial curvature perturbations. The relative abundance of primordial black hole is calculated in terms of the probability density function of total energy density perturbation $δ_r=δ^{(1)}+\frac{1}{2}δ^{(2)}$. The effects of second order density perturbation greatly reduce the upper bounds of small-scale power spectra of primordial curvature perturbations by one to two orders of magnitude. For log-normal primordial power spectrum, its amplitude $A_ζ$ is constrained to be about $A_ζ\sim 3\times10^{-3}$. And for local-type non-Gaussianity with $f_{\mathrm{NL}}=10$, the upper bound of $A_ζ$ is about $2.5\times10^{-4}$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Probing scalar induced gravitational waves with PTA and LISA: The Importance of third order correction

We revisit the calculation of third order \acp{SIGW} and extend it from a monochromatic primordial power spectrum to a more general log-normal one. We investigate the impact of third order SIGWs on \ac{SNR} of \ac{LISA} and \ac{PTA} observations, and find that third order SIGWs significantly contribute to the total energy density spectrum of \acp{GW} in high-frequency region. For a primordial power spectrum amplitude of $A_ζ=10^{-2}\sim 10^{-1}$, the effects of third order SIGWs lead to a $40\%$ to $400\%$ increase in the SNR for LISA. Additionally, our PTA data analysis reveals that third order SIGWs diminish both the amplitude $A_ζ$ and the peak frequency $f_*$ of the primordial power spectrum.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Primordial gravitational waves and curvature perturbations induced energy density perturbation

We study the second order scalar and density perturbations generated by the Gaussian curvature perturbations and primordial gravitational waves in the radiation-dominated era. After presenting all the possible second-order source terms, we obtain the explicit expressions of the kernel functions and the power spectra of the second order scalar perturbations. It shows that the primordial gravitational waves might affect the second order energy density perturbation significantly. The effects of the primordial gravitational waves are studied in terms of different kinds of primordial power spectra.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

New constraints on primordial non-Gaussianity from missing two-loop contributions of scalar induced gravitational waves

We analyze the energy density spectrum of \acp{SIGW} using the NANOGrav 15-year data set, thereby constraining the primordial non-Gaussian parameter $f_{\mathrm{NL}}$. For the first time, we calculate the seventeen missing two-loop diagrams proportional to $f_{\mathrm{NL}}A_ζ^3$ that correspond to the two-point correlation function $\langle h^{λ,(3)}_{\mathbf{k}} h^{λ',(2)}_{\mathbf{k}'} \rangle$ for local-type primordial non-Gaussianity. The total energy density spectrum of \acp{SIGW} can be significantly suppressed by these two-loop diagrams. If \acp{SIGW} dominate the \acp{SGWB} observed in \ac{PTA} experiments, the parameter interval $f_{\mathrm{NL}}\in [-5,-1]$ is notably excluded based on NANOGrav 15-year data set. After taking into account abundance of \acp{PBH} and the convergence of the cosmological perturbation expansion, we find that the only possible parameter range for $f_{\mathrm{NL}}$ might be $-1\le f_{\mathrm{NL}}< 0$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Pulsars as candidates of LHAASO sources J2226+6057, J1908+0621 and J1825-1326: The leptonic origin

Recently, from 12 $γ$-ray Galactic sources, the LHAASO has detected ultrahigh-energy photons up to 1.4PeV. The $γ$-ray spectra of the sources J2226+6057, J1908+0621, J1825-1326 and the suggested origin pulsars near the sources have been published. In our previous work, we studied the hadronic $γ$-ray spectra of the sources J2226+6057, J1908+0621, J1825-1326 in terms of the Hertzian dipole model of pulsar. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of the leptonic origin of the $γ$-ray. We use the Hertzian dipole model to describe the pulsars around the sources. The electrons around the pulsars can be accelerated to PeV by the electromagnetic fields of pulsars. Under the assumption that the initial electrons are uniform distributed in a spherical shell between $10^{7}$ to $10^{9}$m around the pulsar, we obtain the energy distribution of electrons. The leptonic $γ$-ray spectra can be calculated through inverse Compton scattering processes. The leptonic $γ$-ray can roughly conform to the observation of LHAASO.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Gravitational waves from primordial scalar and tensor perturbations

We investigate the second order gravitational waves induced by the primordial scalar and tensor perturbations during radiation-dominated era. The explicit expressions of the power spectra of the second order GWs are presented. We calculate the energy density spectra of the second order GWs for a monochromatic primordial power spectra. For large $k$ $\left( k>k_* \right)$, the effects of the primordial tensor perturbation with tensor-to-scalar ratio $r=A_{h}/A_ζ=0.2$ lead to an around $50\% $ increase of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for LISA observations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Primordial black holes and third order scalar induced gravitational waves

The process of \acp{PBH} formation would be inevitably accompanied by \acp{SIGW}. This strong correlation between \acp{PBH} and \acp{SIGW} signals could be a promising approach to detecting \acp{PBH} in the upcoming \ac{GW} experiments, such as \ac{LISA}. We investigate the third order \acp{SIGW} during a \ac{RD} era in the case of a monochromatic primordial power spectrum $\mathcal{P}_ζ=A_ζk_*δ\left(k-k_*\right)$. For \ac{LISA} observations, the relations between \ac{SNR} and monochromatic primordial power spectrum are studied systematically. It shows that the effects of third order \acp{SIGW} extend the cutoff frequency from $2f_*$ to $3f_*$ and lead to about $200\%$ increase of the \ac{SNR} for frequency band from $10^{-5}$Hz to $1.6\times 10^{-3}$Hz corresponding to \acp{PBH} with mass range $4\times 10^{-12}M_{\odot} \sim 10^{-7}M_{\odot}$. We find that there exists a critical value $A_*=1.76\times 10^{-2}$ for the amplitude of the monochromatic primordial power spectra, such that when $A_ζ>A_*$, the energy density of third order \acp{SIGW} will be larger than the energy density of second order \acp{SIGW}.

astro-ph.CO↗