arXiv subjects

Junrong Lai

Publications and source records attributed to Junrong Lai.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Accelerated Bayesian Inference for Pulsar Timing Arrays: Normalizing Flows for Rapid Model Comparison Across Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background Sources

The recent detection of nanohertz stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds (SGWBs) by pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) promises unique insights into astrophysical and cosmological origins. However, traditional Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approaches become prohibitively expensive for large datasets. We employ a normalizing flow (NF)-based machine learning framework to accelerate Bayesian inference in PTA analyses. For the first time, we perform Bayesian model comparison across SGWB source models in the framework of machine learning by training NF architectures on the PTA dataset (NANOGrav 15-year) and enabling direct evidence estimation via learned harmonic mean estimators. Our examples include 10 conventional SGWB source models such as supermassive black hole binaries, power-law spectrum, cosmic strings, domain walls, scalar-induced GWs, first-order phase transitions, and dual scenario/inflationary gravitational wave. Our approach jointly infers 20 red noise parameters and 2 SGWB parameters per model in $\sim 20$\,hours (including training), compared to $\sim 10$\,days with MCMC. Critically, the NF method preserves rigorous model selection accuracy, with small Hellinger distances ($\lesssim 0.3$) relative to MCMC posteriors, and reproduces MCMC-based Bayes factors across all tested scenarios. This scalable technique for SGWB source comparison will be essential for future PTA expansions and next-generation arrays such as the SKA, offering orders-of-magnitude efficiency gains without sacrificing physical interpretability.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Probing the Bounce Energy Scale in Bouncing Cosmologies with Pulsar Timing Arrays

In this work we constrain the bounce energy scale $ρ_{s\downarrow}^{1/4}$ in a generic framework of bouncing cosmologies using the nanohertz stochastic gravitational-wave background recently detected by pulsar timing arrays (NANOGrav 15-yr, EPTA DR2, PPTA DR3, IPTA DR2). A full Bayesian fit of the analytic SGWB spectrum for this bounce scenario reveals, for the first time, two distinct posterior branches in $(ρ_{s\downarrow}^{1/4},w_1)$: one near $w_1\approx0.3$ and one at $w_1\gg1$, where $w_1$ is the contraction phase equation of state. We find that the bouncing model attains larger Bayes factors against each of six conventional SGWB sources (SMBHBs, inflationary GWs, cosmic strings, domain walls, first order phase transitions, scalar induced GWs), demonstrating strong preference of current PTA data for the bounce hypothesis. Compared to the more generic dual inflation bounce scenario, the concrete bounce realization yields smaller Bayes factors, indicating that PTA measurements impose tighter constraints when the bounce scale is explicit. Moreover, the two posterior branches illuminate distinct theoretical frontiers. The right branch ($w_1\gg1$) violates the dominant energy condition (DEC), thereby providing direct empirical impetus for models with novel early Universe physics, e.g. ghost condensates, higher-derivative or modified gravity operators, and extra dimensional effects. Independently, both branches infer $ρ_{s\downarrow}^{1/4}$ above the Planck scale $M_\mathrm{pl}$, demonstrating that current PTAs already probe trans-Planckian regimes. Together, these findings offer a rare observational window into UV completions of cosmology. We further describe how normalizing flow based machine learning can accelerate such Bayesian analyses as PTA data volumes increase.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Dual Inflation and Bounce Cosmologies Interpretation of Pulsar Timing Array Data

We explore a dual scenario of generalized inflation and bounce cosmologies, producing a scale-invariant curvature perturbation spectrum. Bayesian analysis with pulsar timing array data identifies, for the first time, viable regions from inflation and bounce that simultaneously explain stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) signals and CMB anisotropies. Bayes factor calculations strongly favor this dual scenario over conventional sources and provide initial evidence of a duality between inflation and bounce regarding SGWB, offering new insights for early universe model-building and future observations.

astro-ph.CO↗