arXiv subjects

Orlando Luongo

Publications and source records attributed to Orlando Luongo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

Consequences of non-minimal coupling for mass mixing in spontaneous baryogenesis

We investigate the impact of a non-minimal Yukawa-like coupling between curvature and inflaton field within the \emph{spontaneous baryogenesis} background. We demonstrate that this coupling leads to a significant enhancement in particle production, even for small values of the coupling constant $ξ$. Assuming a perfectly homogeneous and isotropic universe during the reheating phase, we study the inflaton decay into fermion-antifermion pairs by means of a semiclassical approach, treating fermions as quantized fields and considering the inflaton and the Ricci scalar as classical quantities. We adopt the simplest approach in which the inflaton is minimally coupled to baryons, and non-minimally with gravity. In particular, we solve the equations of motion for the inflaton to first order in perturbation theory, with $ξ$ serving as perturbative parameter. Afterwards, we compute the difference in the number densities of baryons and antibaryons produced through the inflaton decay into fermion-antifermion pairs. We show that the non-minimal coupling term \emph{de facto} increases inflaton mass, letting fermion-antifermion decays be more probable, and thus enhancing the overall baryogenesis process. As a further outcome, we find that the non-minimal Yukawa coupling also leads to a renormalization of the inflaton mass and weakly influences the bounds over the gravitational constant. Finally, since the fermionic fields appear not to be mass eigenstates, we specialize the mass-mixing between them only. To this end, we thus include the effects of mass-mixing and cosmic expansion into our calculations. Physical consequences of baryon production are therefore explored.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Cosmological phase-space analysis of $f(G)$-theories of gravity

The impact of topological terms that modify the Hilbert-Einstein action is here explored by virtue of a further $f(G)$ contribution. In particular, we investigate the phase-space stability and critical points of an equivalent scalar field representation that makes use of a massive field, whose potential is function of the topological correction. To do so, we introduce to the gravitational Action Integral a Lagrange multiplier and model the modified Friedmann equations by virtue of new non-dimensional variables. We single out dimensionless variables that permit \emph{a priori} the Hubble rate change of sign, enabling regions in which the Hubble parameter either vanishes or becomes negative. In this respect, we thus analyze the various possibilities associated with a universe characterized by such topological contributions and find the attractors, saddle points and regions of stability, in general. The overall analysis is carried out considering the exponential potential first and then shifting to more complicated cases, where the underlying variables do not simplify. We compute the eigenvalues of our coupled differential equations and, accordingly, the stability of the system, in both a spatially-flat and non-flat universe. Quite remarkably, regardless of the spatial curvature, we show that a stable de Sitter-like phase that can model current time appears only a small fraction of the entire phase-space, suggesting that the model under exam is unlikely in describing the whole universe dynamics, i.e., the topological terms appear disfavored in framing the entire evolution of the universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Stability analysis of dilaton-inspired scalar field within the geometrical trinity of gravity

We investigate the dynamics of the dilaton-inspired scalar field, formally rewritten by means of a Brans-Dicke Lagrangian, within the framework of \emph{geometrical trinity of gravity}. In this respect, we perform a stability analysis by adopting a non-flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) metric and considering the well-established exponential potential in three distinct gravitational frameworks: general relativity, teleparallel gravity, and symmetric-teleparallel gravity. By comparing the scalar field behaviors across these theories, we highlight the role of curvature, torsion, and non-metricity in shaping cosmic evolution. Our analysis reveals that, both in general relativity and teleparallel gravity, the dilaton-inspired field can drive the accelerated expansion of the universe, effectively behaving as cosmological constant at late times. In contrast, within the symmetric teleparallel gravity scenario, performing a complete linear stability analysis is prevented by the use of the non-coincident gauge. Nevertheless, the latter paradigm introduces complexity into the autonomous system, resulting in a structurally different analysis. For general relativity and teleparallel scenarios, we remark the regions of attractor solutions and unphysical domains in which we do not expect the viability of our dilaton-inspired Lagrangian. However, within the framework of symmetric-teleparallel gravity, the stability analysis reveals no attractor points for the chosen set of free parameters. In support of these findings, physical conclusions, kinematical studies, and consequences on Friedmann dynamics are thus explored.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Generalizing the relativistic precession model of quasi-periodic oscillations through anharmonic corrections

We critically reanalyze the relativistic precession model of quasi-periodic oscillations, exploring its natural extension beyond the standard harmonic approximation. To do so, we show that the perturbed geodesic equations must include anharmonic contributions arising from the higher-order expansion of the effective potential that cannot be neglected \emph{a priori}, as commonly done in all the approaches pursued so far. More specifically, independently of the underlying spacetime geometry, we find that in the radial sector the non-negligible anharmonic correction is quadratic in the radial displacement, i.e. $\propto δr^2$, and significantly affects the radial epicyclic frequency close to the innermost stable circular orbit. Conversely, polar oscillations $δθ$ remain approximately decoupled from radial ones, preserving their independent dynamical behavior. To show the need of anharmonic corrections, we thus carry out Monte Carlo-Markov chain analyses on eight neutron star sources of quasi-periodic oscillations. Afterwards, we first work out the outcomes of the harmonic approximation in Schwarzschild, Schwarzschild--de Sitter, and Kerr spacetimes. Subsequently, we apply the anharmonic corrections to them and use it to fit the aforementioned neutron star sources. Our findings indicate that the standard paradigm requires a systematic generalization to include the leading anharmonic corrections that appear physically necessary, although still insufficient to fully account for the observed phenomenology of quasi-periodic oscillations. Accordingly, we speculate on possible refinements of the relativistic precession model, showing the need to revise it at a fundamental level.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Phase-space analysis of dark energy models in non-minimally coupled theories of gravity

We analyze scalar field dark energy models minimally and non-minimally coupled to gravity, postulating that a Yukawa-like interacting term is \emph{in form} equivalent for general relativity, teleparallel and symmetric-teleparallel theories. Our analysis is pursued within two scalar field representations, where a quintessence and phantom pictures are associated with quasiquintessence and quasiphantom exotic fields. In the latter, we suggest how the phion-pressure can be built up without exhibiting a direct kinetic term. Accordingly, the stability analysis reveals that this quasiquintessence field provides a viable description of the universe indicating, when minimally coupled, how to unify dark energy and dark matter by showing an attractor point where $w_ϕ=0$. Conversely, in the non-minimally coupling, the alternative field only leaves an attractor where dark energy dominates, mimicking \emph{de facto} a cosmological constant behavior. A direct study is conducted comparing the standard case with the alternative one, overall concluding that the behavior of quintessence is well established across all the gravity scenarios. However, considering the phantom field non-minimal coupled to gravity, the results are inconclusive for power-law potentials in Einstein theory, and for the inverse square power (ISP) potential in both teleparallel and symmetric-teleparallel theories. Finally, we study the growth of matter perturbations and establish that only the fifth power and quadratic potentials, when used to describe quasiphantom field minimally coupled to gravity, exhibit behavior similar to the $Λ$CDM model.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Gravitational metamaterials from optical properties of spacetime media

Gravitational optical properties are here investigated under the hypothesis of spherically-symmetric spacetimes behaving as media. To do so, we first consider two different definitions of the refractive index, $n_O$, of a spacetime medium and show how to pass from one definition to another by means of a coordinate transformation. Accordingly, the corresponding physical role of $n_O$ is discussed by virtue of the Misner-Sharp mass and the redshift definition. Afterwards, we discuss the inclusion of the electromagnetic fields and the equivalence with nonlinear effects induced by geometry. Accordingly, the infrared and ultraviolet gravity regimes are thus discussed, obtaining bounds from the Solar System, neutron stars and white dwarfs, respectively. To do so, we also investigate the Snell's law and propose how to possibly distinguish regular solutions from black holes. As a consequence of our recipe, we speculate on the existence of \emph{gravitational metamaterials}, whose refractive index may be negative and explore the corresponding physical implications, remarking that $n_O<0$ may lead to invisible optical properties, as light is bent in the opposite direction compared to what occurs in ordinary cases. Further, we conjecture that gravitational metamaterials exhibit a particle-like behavior, contributing to dark matter and propose three toy models, highlighting possible advantages and limitations of their use. Finally, we suggest that such particle-like configurations can be ``dressed" by interaction, giving rise to \emph{geometric quasiparticles}. We thus construct modifications of the quantum propagator as due to nonminimal couplings between curvature and external matter-like fields, finding the corresponding effective mass through a boson mixing mechanism.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Geometric properties versus particle motion in the Fan-Wang spacetime

In this work, we explore general relativistic effects and geometric properties of the Fan-Wang spacetime, one of the simplest regular solutions that can be obtained in nonlinear electrodynamics. In particular, we investigate the motion of test particles, the capture cross-section of neutral massive and massless particles, such as neutrinos and photons, and the gravitational redshift. Additionally, using a perturbative approach, we derive analytical expressions for the perihelion shift and gravitational deflection of massless particles. By identifying the one-parameter corrections to the Schwarzschild spacetime, induced by the magnetic charge contained in the Fan-Wang metric, we show that this spacetime can be falsified, since it modifies classical general relativity predictions even at the local level. Moreover, we argue that these modifications could be experimentally tested with advanced observational instrumentation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Gravitational dark matter production from fermionic spectator fields during inflation

We investigate the gravitational particle production from vacuum for a minimally coupled fermionic spectator field during a single-field inflationary phase. We observe that metric perturbations arising from the quantum fluctuations of a scalar inflaton field enhance gravitational production, showing that such a perturbative contribution becomes dominant if the field mass is sufficiently smaller than the inflationary Hubble rate. We focus on modes that leave the Hubble horizon during the latest stages of slow-roll and we numerically compute the total number of particles obtained from perturbations, providing a lower bound on the amount of such \enquote{geometric} particles for the case of Starobinsky inflation and a quadratic hilltop scenario. Our outcomes are compatible with the net observational cold dark matter abundance as experimentally measured, whose dark matter candidate exhibits mass in the range $10^5 \lesssim m \lesssim 10^7$ GeV, excluded by previous non-perturbative calculations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Comparing Bondi and Novikov-Thorne accretion disk luminosity around regular black holes

We consider and compare the Bondi and Novikov-Thorne accretion mechanisms in spherically symmetric regular black holes. To do so, we model the dark matter distribution adopting two main approaches. The first takes into account a cosmologically-inspired dark fluid, whose pressure turns out to be constant, whereas the density and equation of state depend on the radial coordinate. The second case employs an exponential dark matter energy distribution that describes the dark matter cloud in the accretion process. Accordingly, we quantify the mass accreted by regular solutions with the above information on the energy-momentum tensor and their luminosity and thermal properties, derived from the background models. Numerical simulations of the accretion processes are then reported, comparing regular black holes with Schwarzschild and Schwarzschild-de Sitter metrics. In so doing, we consider the Hayward, Bardeen, Dymnikova and Fang-Wang solutions, where the addiction of a further parameter determines regularity. Implications and physical consequences of using the Novikov-Thorne and Bondi accretion backgrounds are thus critically discussed in varying the free parameters of each spacetime.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Accretion disk luminosity around rotating naked singularities

We explore circular geodesics of neutral test particles in the gravitational field of a rotating deformed mass. The geometry around this source is described by the Quevedo-Mashhoon solution, which corresponds to a naked singularity. To this end, we compute the orbital parameters of test particles in the equatorial plane, such as the angular velocity $Ω$, energy $E$ and angular momentum $L$, per unit mass. We also numerically estimate the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit $r_{ISCO}$. In addition, we consider a simple model for the disk's radiative flux, differential luminosity, and spectral luminosity, employing the well-known Novikov-Page-Thorne model. We mainly focus on the flux of the accretion disk around several rotating naked singularities possessing the same mass and quadrupole moment but different rotation and deformation parameters. We analyze the possibility of distinguishing Kerr black holes from rotating naked singularities. The astrophysical implications of the results obtained are discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Effects of dynamical friction on perturbations for evolving dark energy

We explore the impact of dynamical friction on scales where the linear growth factor and the spherical collapse model can be applied and show its influence on the evolution of perturbations. In particular, considering smooth and clustering dark energy models, we describe the role played by friction by selecting two main hierarchical models, i.e., the first where the friction term is proportional to the Hubble rate, whereas the second where friction is induced by the dark energy pressure. The second approach generalises the first and translates the idea that pressure is a general relativistic effect, motivating why friction might arise once barotropic dark energy fluids are considered. The corresponding effects of friction are investigated at the level of linear and nonlinear perturbations, using the formalism of the spherical collapse model. Whilst dynamical friction has very small effects and thus it cannot be excluded a priori, dissipative pressure friction leads to a substantial slow down in the evolution of perturbations. This can be inferred particularly from the halo mass function, for which we also employ corrections due to dark energy clustering. To this end, in order to discern detectable deviations from the standard cosmological model, we thus highlight where dissipation effects might play a significant role at large scales.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Entanglement entropy evolution during gravitational collapse

We investigate the dynamics of the ground state entanglement entropy for a discretized scalar field propagating within the Oppenheimer-Snyder collapse metric. Starting from a well-controlled initial configuration, we follow the system as it evolves toward the formation of a horizon and, eventually, a singularity. Our approach employs an Ermakov-like equation to determine the time-dependent ground state of the field and calculates the resulting entanglement entropy by tracing out the degrees of freedom inside a spherical region within the matter sphere. We find that the entanglement entropy exhibits nontrivial scaling and time dependence during collapse. Close to the horizon, the entropy can deviate from the simple area law, reflecting the rapid changes in geometry and field configuration. Although the model is idealized, these results provide insights into the generation and scaling of entanglement in the presence of realistic, dynamically evolving gravitational fields.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Constructing regular black holes from multi-polytropic equations of state

Regular black holes are imagined as solutions to Einstein's field equations, with no singularities, albeit characterized by the presence of an internal structure. With the intention not to use non-linear electrodynamics, we here propose to obtain new classes of solutions that can also satisfy the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equations, plus adding a non-zero core. Thus, we present regular black holes as solutions to the TOV equations using multipolytropic equations of state and investigate whether these solutions behave, tuning the underlying free parameters. Our analysis demonstrates that, within specific parameter ranges, repulsive gravity effects may occur in precise regions. Accordingly, black hole remnants are also investigated, showing that, under certain circumstances, they may turn into dark energy sources in view of the corresponding repulsive gravity effects, located outside the horizons. Moreover, quite remarkably, critical sets of parameters imply that solutions may exhibit transitions to regular repulsive relativistic compact objects from black hole behaviors. Finally, we explore the interpretation of these regular black hole solutions in terms of topological thermodynamic defects.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Cosmic distance duality after DESI 2024 data release and dark energy evolution

The cosmic distance duality relates the angular-diameter and luminosity distances and its possible violation may puzzle the standard cosmological model. This appears particularly interesting in view of the recent results found by the DESI Collaboration, suggesting that a dynamical dark energy scenario seems to be favored than a genuine cosmological constant. Accordingly, we take into account possible violations by considering four different parameterizations, namely: a Taylor expansion around $z\simeq 0$, a slightly-departing logarithmic correction, a (1;2) Padé rational series to heal the convergence problem and a Chebyshev polynomial expansion, reducing \emph{de facto} the systematic errors associated with the analysis. We test each of them in a model-independent (-dependent) way, by working out Monte-Carlo Markov chain analyses, employing the Bézier interpolation of the Hubble rate $H(z)$ for the model-independent approach while assuming the flat (non-flat) $Λ$CDM and $ω_0ω_1$CDM models, motivating the latter paradigm in view of the DESI findings. Subsequently, we explore two analyses, employing observational Hubble data, galaxy clusters from the Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect and type Ia supernovae, investigating the impact of the DESI data catalog, first including then excluding the entire data set. Afterwards, we adopt statistical model selection criteria to assess the statistically favored cosmological model. Our results suggest \emph{no violation} of the cosmic distance duality. While a slight spatial curvature cannot be entirely excluded, the preferred cosmological model remains the flat $Λ$CDM background, even when incorporating DESI data. Finally, concerning the Hubble tension, our findings match the Riess estimates, as BAO data points are excluded.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Characterizing the equivalence between dark energy and radiation using gamma-ray bursts

Differently from the equivalence time between either matter and radiation or dark energy and matter, the equivalence between dark energy and radiation occurs between two subdominant fluids, since it takes place in the matter dominated epoch. However, dark energy--radiation equivalence may correspond to a \emph{cosmographic bound} since it strongly depends on how dark energy evolves. Accordingly, a possible model-independent bound on this time would give hints on how dark energy evolves in time. In this respect, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) may be used, in fact, as tracers to obtain cosmic constraints on this equivalence. Consequently, based on observed GR data from the $E_{\rm p}$--$E_{\rm iso}$ correlation, we here go beyond by simulating additional GRB data points and investigating two distinct equivalence epochs: 1) dark energy--radiation, and 2) dark energy--radiation with matter. We thus extract constraints on the corresponding two redshifts adopting Monte Carlo Markov chain simulations by means of two methods: the first performing the GRB calibration and the cosmological fit steps independently, and the second performing these steps simultaneously by resorting a hierarchical Bayesian regression. To keep the analysis model-independent, we consider a generic dark energy model, with the unique constraint to reduce to the $Λ$CDM at $z=0$. Our findings are thus compared to theoretical predictions, indicating that the $Λ$CDM model is statistically favored to predict such an equivalence time, though a slow evolution with time cannot be fully excluded. Finally, we critically re-examine the Hubble constant tension in view of our outcomes.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Determining $H_0$ from distance sum rule combining gamma-ray bursts with observational Hubble data and strong gravitational lensing

Model-independent bounds on the Hubble constant $H_0$ are important to shed light on cosmological tensions. We work out a model-independent analysis based on the sum rule, which is applied to late- and early-time data catalogs to determine $H_0$. Through the model-independent Bézier interpolation of the observational Hubble data (OHD) and assuming a flat universe, we reconstruct the dimensionless distances of the sum rule and apply them to strong lensing data to derive constraints on $H_0$. Next, we extend this method to the high-redshift domain including, in other two separated analyses, gamma-ray burst (GRB) data sets from the well-established Amati and Combo correlations. In all three analyses, our findings agree at $1σ$ level with the $H_0$ determined from type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), and only at $2σ$ level with the measurement derived from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. Our method evidences that the bounds on $H_0$ are significantly affected by strong lensing data, which favor the local measurement from SNe Ia. Including GRBs causes only a negligible decrease in the value of $H_0$. This may indicate that GRBs can be used to trace the expansion history and, in conjunction with CMB measurements, may heal the Hubble tension and accommodate to the flat $Λ$CDM paradigm purported by CMB data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Comparing geometric and gravitational particle production in Jordan and Einstein frames

We explore cosmological particle production associated with inflationary fluctuations by comparing gravitational and geometric mechanisms, within a non-minimal Yukawa-like coupling between a inflaton and spacetime curvature. We show under which circumstances the number of geometric particles is comparable to the purely gravitational contribution by introducing the S-matrix formalism and approximating the inflationary potentials through power series. Despite the geometric production is a second-order effect, we show that it cannot be neglected \emph{a priori}, emphasizing that throughout inflation we do expect geometric particles to form as well as in the reheating phase. This result is investigated in both the Jordan and Einstein frames, selecting inflationary potentials supported by the Planck Satellite outcomes, \textit{i.e.}, the Starobinsky, hilltop, $α$-attractor, and natural inflationary paradigms. We notice that, for large field approaches, the only feasible coupling may occur in case of extremely small field-curvature coupling constants, while the small field frameworks, namely the hilltop and $α$-attractor models with quartic behavior, are essentially ruled out since they do not appear dynamically viable. We then point out that, while dynamically there exists a net equivalence between the Jordan and Einstein frames, the number of particles appears quite different passing from a representation to another one, thus pointing out the existence of a possible \emph{quantum frame issue}. In summary, while the classical inflationary dynamics is equivalently described in the Jordan and Einstein frames, a viable physical description of particle production valid in both the frames may be hindered by the absence of a complete quantum gravity. The latter could therefore be seen as missing puzzle to address the longstanding challenge of consistently passing between the two frames.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Linear and nonlinear clusterings of Horndeski-inspired dark energy models with fast transition

We analyze time-dependent dark energy equations of state through linear and nonlinear structure formation and their quintessence potentials, characterized by fast, recent transitions, inspired by parameter space studies of selected classes of the more general Horndeski models. The influence of dark energy on structures comes from modifications to the background expansion rate and from perturbations as well. In order to compute the structures growth, we employ a generalization of the \emph{spherical collapse} formalism that includes perturbations of fluids with pressure. We numerically solve the equations of motion for the perturbations and the field. Our analysis suggests that a true Heaviside step transition is a good approximation for most of the considered models, since most of the quantities weakly depend on the transition speed. We find that transitions occurring at redshifts $z_{\rm t}\gtrsim 2$ cannot be distinguished from the $Λ$CDM model if dark energy is freezing, i.e, the corresponding equation of state tends to $-1$. For fast, recent transitions, the redshift at which the properties of dark energy have the most significant effect is $z=0.6\pm 0.2$. We also find that in the freezing regime, the $σ_8$ values can be lowered by about $8\%$, suggesting that those models could relieve the $σ_8$-tension. Additionally, freezing models generally predict faster late-time merging rates but a lower number of massive galaxies at $z=0$. Finally, the nonlinear matter power spectrum for smooth dark energy shows a valley centered in $k\approx1\,h\,{\rm Mpc}^{-1}$ which in the clustering case is replaced by a sharp increase for $k\gtrsim 0.2\,h\,{\rm Mpc}^{-1}$ and a peak at $k\approx 2\,h\,{\rm Mpc}^{-1}$.

astro-ph.CO↗