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László Á. Gergely

Publications and source records attributed to László Á. Gergely.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2012

Gravitational waveforms for unequal mass black hole binaries detectable by KAGRA

Gravitational waveforms generated by unequal mass black hole binaries are expected to be common sources for future gravitational wave detectors. We derived the waveforms emitted by such systems during the last part of the inspiral, when the larger spin dominates over the orbital angular momentum and the smaller spin is negligible. These Spin-Dominated Waveforms (SDW) arise as a double expansion in the post-Newtonian parameter and another parameter proportional to the ratio of the orbital angular momentum and the dominant spin. The time spent by the gravitational wave as an SDW in the sensitivity range of the KAGRA detector is presented for the first time.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2012

The paradox of soft singularity crossing and its resolution by distributional cosmological quantitities

A cosmological model of a flat Friedmann universe filled with a mixture of anti-Chaplygin gas and dust-like matter exhibits a future soft singularity, where the pressure of the anti-Chaplygin gas diverges (while its energy density is finite). Despite infinite tidal forces the geodesics pass through the singularity. Due to the dust component, the Hubble parameter has a non-zero value at the encounter with the singularity, therefore the dust implies further expansion. With continued expansion however, the energy density and the pressure of the anti-Chaplygin gas would become ill-defined, hence from the point of view of the anti-Chaplygin gas only a contraction is allowed. Paradoxically, the universe in this cosmological model would have to expand and contract simultaneously. This obviosly could not happen. We solve the paradox by redefining the anti-Chaplygin gas in a distributional sense. Then a contraction could follow the expansion phase at the singularity at the price of a jump in the Hubble parameter. Although such an abrupt change is not common in any cosmological evolution, we explicitly show that the set of Friedmann, Raychaudhuri and continuity equations are all obeyed both at the singularity and in its vicinity. We also prove that the Israel junction conditions are obeyed through the singular spatial hypersurface. In particular we enounce and prove a more general form of the Lanczos equation.

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arXiv2012

The typical mass ratio and typical final spin in supermassive black hole mergers

We prove that merging supermassive black holes (SMBHs) typically have neither equal masses, nor is their mass ratio too extreme. The majority of such mergers fall into the mass ratio range of 1:30 to 1:3, implying a spin flip during the inspiral. We also present a simple expression for the final spin $χ_{f}$ of the emerging SMBH, as function of the mass ratio, initial spin magnitudes, and orientation of the spins with respect to the orbital plane and each other. This formula approximates well more cumbersome expressions obtained from the fit with numerical simulations. By integrating over all equally likely orientations for precessing mergers we determine a lower approximant to the final spin distribution as function of the mass ratio alone. By folding this with the derived mass ratio dependent merger rate we derive a lower bound to the typical final spin value after mergers. We repeat the procedure deriving an upper bound for the typical spin in the case when the spins are aligned to the orbital angular momentum, such that there is no precession in the system. Both slopes of $χ_{f}$ as function of the initial spins being smaller than one lead to two attractors at $χ_{f}^{prec}=0.2$ and $χ_{f}^{align}=0.45$, respectively. Real mergers, biased toward partial alignment by interactions with the environment (accretion, host galaxy, etc.) would generate a typical final spin lying between these two limiting values. These are the typical values of the spin after the merger, starting from which the spin can built up by further gaseous accretion.

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arXiv2011

On the origin of X-shaped radio galaxies

After a brief, critical review of the leading explanations proposed for the small but important subset of radio galaxies showing an X-shaped morphology (XRGs) we propose a generalized model, based on the jet-shell interaction and spin-flip hypotheses. The most popular scenarios for this intriguing phenomenon invoke either hydrodynamical backflows and over-pressured cocoons or rapid jet reorientations, presumably from the spin-flips of central engines following the mergers of pairs of galaxies, each of which contains a supermassive black hole (SMBH). We confront these models with a number of key observations and thus argue that none of the models is capable of explaining the entire range of salient observational properties of XRGs, although some of the arguments raised in the literature against the spin-flip scenario are probably not tenable. We then propose here a new scenario which also involves galactic mergers but would allow the spin of the central engine to maintain its direction. Motivated by the detailed multi-band observations of the nearest radio galaxy, Centaurus A, this new model emphasizes the role of interactions between the jets and the shells of stars and gas that form and rotate around the merged galaxy and can cause temporary deflections of the jets, occasionally giving rise to an X-shaped radio structure. Although each of the models is likely to be relevant to a subset of XRGs, the bulk of the evidence indicates that most of them are best explained by the jet-shell interaction or spin-flip hypotheses.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2011

Constraining Hořava-Lifshitz gravity by weak and strong gravitational lensing

We discuss gravitational lensing in the Kehagias-Sfetsos space-time emerging in the framework of Hořava-Lifshitz gravity. In weak lensing we show that there are three regimes, depending on the value of $\bar λ=1/ωd^{2}$, where $ω$ is the Hořava-Lifshitz parameter and $d$ characterizes the lensing geometry. When $\bar λ$ is close to zero, light deflection typically produces two images, as in Schwarzschild lensing. For very large $\bar λ$ the space-time approaches flatness, therefore there is only one undeflected image. In the intermediate range of $\bar λ$ only the upper focused image is produced due to the existence of a maximal deflection angle $δ_{max}$, a feature inexistent in the Schwarzschild weak lensing. We also discuss the location of Einstein rings, and determine the range of the Hořava-Lifshitz parameter compatible with present day lensing observations. Finally, we analyze in the strong lensing regime the first two relativistic Einstein rings and determine the constraints on the parameter range to be imposed by forthcoming experiments.

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arXiv2011

Maximal spin and energy conversion efficiency in a symbiotic system of black hole, disk and jet

We study a combined model of black hole - accretion disk - magnetosphere - jet symbiosis, applicable for supermassive black holes. We quantify the mass and spin evolution and we analyze how the limiting value of the spin parameter and the conversion efficiency of accreted mass into radiation depend on the interplay of electromagnetic radiation reaction, magnetosphere characteristics and truncation radius of radiation. The dominant effect comes from the closed magnetic field line region, which reduces the spin limit to values ~0.89 (instead ~0.99 in its absence). Therefore observations on black hole spins could favour or disfavour the existence of the closed magnetic field line region (or its coupling to the disk). We also find that the suppression of radiation from the innermost part of the accretion disk, inferred from observations, and a collimated jet both increase the spin limit and the energy conversion efficiency.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2010

Will the tachyonic Universe survive the Big Brake?

We investigate a Friedmann universe filled with a tachyon scalar field, which behaves as dustlike matter in the past, while it is able to accelerate the expansion rate of the universe at late times. The comparison with type Ia supernovae (SNIa) data allows for evolutions driving the universe into a Big Brake. Some of the evolutions leading to a Big Brake exhibit a large variation of the equation of state parameter at low redshifts which is potentially observable with future data though hardly detectable with present SNIa data. The soft Big Brake singularity occurs at finite values of the scale factor, vanishing energy density and Hubble parameter, but diverging deceleration and infinite pressure. We show that the geodesics can be continued through the Big Brake and that our model universe will recollapse eventually in a Big Crunch. Although the time to the Big Brake strongly depends on the present values of the tachyonic field and of its time derivative, the time from the Big Brake to the Big Crunch represents a kind of invariant timescale for all field parameters allowed by SNIa.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2010

Supermassive black hole spin-flip during the inspiral

During post-Newtonian evolution of a compact binary, a mass ratio different from 1 provides a second small parameter, which can lead to unexpected results. We present a statistics of supermassive black hole candidates, which enables us first to derive their mass distribution, then to establish a logarithmically even probability of the mass ratios at their encounter. In the mass ratio range (1/30,1/3) of supermassive black hole mergers representing 40% of all possible cases, the combined effect of spin-orbit precession and gravitational radiation leads to a spin-flip of the dominant spin during the inspiral phase of the merger. This provides a mechanism for explaining a large set of observations on X-shaped radio galaxies. In another 40%, with mass ratios (1/30,1/1000) a spin-flip never occurs, while in the remaining 20% of mergers with mass ratios (1/3,1) it may occur during the plunge. We analyze the magnitude of the spin-flip angle occurring during the inspiral as function of the mass ratio and original relative orientation of the spin and orbital angular momentum. We also derive a formula for the final spin at the end of the inspiral in this mass ratio range.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2010

Recovering a spinning inspiralling compact binary waveform immersed in LIGO-like noise with spinning templates

We investigate the recovery chances of highly spinning waveforms immersed in LIGO S5-like noise by performing a matched filtering with 10^6 randomly chosen spinning waveforms generated with the LAL package. While the masses of the compact binary are reasonably well recovered (slightly overestimated), the same does not hold true for the spins. We show the best fit matches both in the time-domain and the frequency-domain. These encompass some of the spinning characteristics of the signal, but far less than what would be required to identify the astrophysical parameters of the system. An improvement of the matching method is necessary, though may be difficult due to the noisy signal.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2010

Covariant gravitational dynamics in 3+1+1 dimensions

We develop a 3+1+1 covariant formalism with cosmological and astrophysical applications. First we give the evolution and constraint equations both on the brane and off-brane in terms of 3-space covariant kinematical, gravito-electro-magnetic (Weyl) and matter variables. We discuss the junction conditions across the brane in terms of the new variables. Then we establish a closure condition for the equations on the brane. We also establish the connection of this formalism with isotropic and anisotropic cosmological brane-worlds. Finally we derive a new brane solution in the framework of our formalism: the tidal charged Taub-NUT-(A)dS brane, which obeys the closure condition.

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arXiv2010

Secular momentum transport by gravitational waves from spinning compact binaries

We present a closed system of coupled first order differential equations governing the secular linear momentum loss of a compact binary due to emitted gravitational waves, with the leading order relativistic and spin-orbit perturbations included. In order to close the system, the secular evolution equations of the linear momentum derived from the dissipative dynamics are supplemented with the secular evolutions of the coupled angular variables, as derived from the conservative dynamics.

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arXiv2010

Variable tension brane-worlds

I present recent work on codimension one brane-world models containing a 3+1 dimensional curved brane with time-dependent brane tension.

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arXiv2009

Renormalized spin coefficients in the accumulated orbital phase for unequal mass black hole binaries

We analyze galactic black hole mergers and their emitted gravitational waves. Such mergers have typically unequal masses with mass ratio of the order 1/10. The emitted gravitational waves carry the inprint of spins and mass quadrupoles of the binary components. Among these contributions, we consider here the quasi-precessional evolution of the spins. A method of taking into account these third post-Newtonian (3PN) effects by renormalizing (redefining) the 1.5 PN and 2PN accurate spin contributions to the accumulated orbital phase is developed.

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arXiv2009

Second-order light deflection by tidal charged black holes on the brane

We derive the deflection angle of light rays passing near a black hole with mass m and tidal charge q, confined to a generalized Randall-Sundrum brane with codimension one. We employ the weak lensing approach, up to the second order in perturbation theory by two distinct methods. First we adopt a Lagrangian approach and derive the deflection angle from the analysis of the geodesic equations. Then we adopt a Hamiltonian approach and we recover the same result from the analysis of the eikonal. With this we re-establish the unicity of the result as given by the two methods. Our results in turn implies a more rigurous constraint on the tidal charge from Solar System measurements, then derived before.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2009

The spin-flip phenomenon in supermassive black hole binary mergers

Massive merging black holes will be the primary sources of powerful gravitational waves at low frequency, and will permit to test general relativity with candidate galaxies close to a binary black hole merger. In this paper we identify the typical mass ratio of the two black holes but then show that the distance when gravitational radiation becomes the dominant dissipative effect (over dynamical friction) does not depend on the mass ratio. However the dynamical evolution in the gravitational wave emission regime does. For the typical range of mass ratios the final stage of the merger is preceded by a rapid precession and a subsequent spin-flip of the main black hole. This already occurs in the inspiral phase, therefore can be described analytically by post-Newtonian techniques. We then identify the radio galaxies with a super-disk as those in which the rapidly precessing jet produces effectively a powerful wind, entraining the environmental gas to produce the appearance of a thick disk. These specific galaxies are thus candidates for a merger of two black holes to happen in the astronomically near future.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2009

Renormalized 2PN spin contributions to the accumulated orbital phase for LISA sources

We give here a new third post-Newtonisn (3PN) spin-spin contribution (in the PN parameter $ε$) to the accumulated orbital phase of a compact binary, arising from the spin-orbit precessional motion of the spins. In the equal mass case this contribution vanishes, but LISA sources of merging supermassive binary black holes have typically a mass ratio of 1:10. For such non-equal masses this 3PN correction is periodic in time, with period approximately $ε^{-1}$ times larger than the period of gravitational waves. We derive a renormalized and simpler expression of the spin-spin coefficient at 2PN, as an average over the time-scale of this period of the combined 2PN and 3PN contribution. We also find that for LISA sources the quadrupole-monopole contribution to the phase dominates over the spin-spin contribution, while the self-spin contribution is negligible even for the dominant spin. Finally we define a renormalized total spin coefficient $\barσ$ to be employed in the search for gravitational waves emitted by LISA sources.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2009

Eötvös branes

The high value of brane tension has a crucial role in recovering Einstein's general relativity at low energies. In the framework of a recently developed formalism with variable brane tension one can pose the question, whether it was always that high? In analogy with fluid membranes, in this paper we allow for temperature dependent brane tension, according to the corresponding law established by Eötvös. For cosmological branes this assumption leads to several immediate consequences: (a) The brane Universe was created at a finite temperature $T_{c}$ and scale factor $a_{\min}$. (b) Both the brane tension and the 4-dimensional gravitational coupling 'constant' increase with the scale factor from zero to asymptotic values. (c) The 4-dimensional cosmological 'constant' evolves with $a$, starting with a huge negative value, passing through zero, finally reaching a small positive value. Such a scale-factor dependent cosmological constant is able to generate a surplus of attraction at small $a$ (as dark matter does) and a late-time repulsion at large $a$ (dark energy). In the particular toy model discussed here the evolution of the brane tension is compensated by energy interchange between the brane and the fifth dimension, such that the continuity equation holds for the cosmological fluid. The resulting cosmology closely mimics the standard model at late times, a decelerated phase being followed by an accelerated expansion. The energy absorption of the brane drives the 5D space-time towards maximal symmetry, becoming Anti de Sitter.

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