arXiv subjects

Panagiota Kanti

Publications and source records attributed to Panagiota Kanti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Greybody factors in scalar-tensor gravity and beyond

In the framework of the beyond Horndeski action, we consider three subtheories that support scalarised black-hole solutions, and look for modified characteristics compared to GR. We first study the propagation of massless scalar and vector test fields in the fixed background of an analytical spherically symmetric black hole derived in the context of a parity-symmetric beyond Horndeski theory, and show that the profiles of the effective gravitational potentials, greybody factors, absorption cross sections and quasinormal frequencies exhibit distinct modifications as we move away from the GR limit. We then turn our attention to the perturbations of the gravitational field itself and adopt a full-theory analysis that takes into account the backreaction of the scalar field on the metric. Employing as background solutions scalarized black holes arising in the shift-symmetric Horndeski theory and in the quadratic-quartic-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory, we compute the greybody factors and quasinormal modes of the axial sector. In both theories, in direct correspondence to the form of the gravitational potential, which features multiple extremal points, we find modified (suppressed or nonmonotonic) greybody curves and altered quasinormal frequencies (smaller oscillating frequencies and larger damping times), especially as the hair-sourcing parameter increases.

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arXiv2024

Compact Objects in Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet Theory and beyond

In the context of General Relativity, black holes are not allowed to possess scalar hair, wormholes are not traversable and particle-like solutions are irregular. Therefore, in order to derive novel and physically interesting solutions that describe compact objects one needs to address generalised gravitational theories. One popular class of such theories is the Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet (EsGB) theory with a general coupling function between the scalar field of the theory and the quadratic Gauss-Bonnet term. Starting from black holes, we present a variety of spherically-symmetric solutions for several different forms of the coupling function and discuss their main features. We then proceed to wormhole solutions and demonstrate that the EsGB theory naturally supports traversable wormholes without the need for exotic matter. Regular scalarised particle-like solutions also emerge in the context of the same theory which also possess interesting observable features such as photon rings and echoes. Moving beyond this class of theories, we then address the more extended scalar-tensor Horndeski theory, briefly mention the types of black-hole solutions that arise, and demonstrate that an appropriately constructed disformal transformation of a black-hole solution, such as the Lu-Pang solution, results into a traversable wormhole in the context of the beyond-Horndeski theory.

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arXiv2023

Black holes with primary scalar hair

We present explicit black holes endowed with primary scalar hair within the shift-symmetric subclass of Beyond Horndeski theories. These solutions depend, in addition to the conventional mass parameter, on a second free parameter encoding primary scalar hair. The properties and characteristics of the solutions at hand are analyzed with varying scalar charge. We observe that when the scalar hair parameter is close to zero or relatively small in comparison to the black hole mass, the solutions closely resemble the Schwarzschild spacetime. As the scalar hair increases, the metric solutions gradually depart from General Relativity. Notably, for a particular relation between mass and scalar hair, the central singularity completely disappears, resulting in the formation of regular black holes or solitons. The scalar field accompanying the solutions is always found to be regular at future or past horizon(s), defining a distinct time direction for each. As a final byproduct of our analysis, we demonstrate the existence of a stealth Schwarschild black hole in Horndeski theory with a non-trivial kinetic term.

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arXiv2022

Constraining modified gravity theories with scalar fields using black-hole images

We study a number of well-motivated theories of modified gravity with the common overarching theme that they predict the existence of compact objects such as black holes and wormholes endowed with scalar hair. We compute the shadow radius of the resulting compact objects and demonstrate that black hole images such as that of M87$^*$ or the more recent SgrA$^*$ by the Einstein Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration may provide a powerful way to constrain deviations of the metric functions from what is expected from general relativity (GR) solutions. We focus our attention on Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet (EsGB) theory with three well motivated couplings, including the dilatonic and $Z_2$ symmetric cases. We then analyze the shadow radius of black holes in the contest of the spontaneous scalarization scenario within EsGB theory with an additional coupling to the Ricci scalar (EsRGB). Finally, we turn our attention to spontaneous scalarization in the Einstein-Maxwell-Scalar (EMS) theory and demonstrate the impact of the parameters on the black hole shadow. Our results show that black hole imaging is an important tool for constraining black holes with scalar hair and for some part of the parameter space, black holes solutions with scalar hair may be marginally favoured compared to solutions of GR.

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arXiv2022

Compact objects of spherical symmetry in beyond Horndeski theories

We analyse in all generality beyond Horndeski theories of shift symmetry in a static and spherically symmetric spacetime. By introducing four auxiliary functions, we write the field equations in a particularly compact form. We show that assuming additionally parity symmetry renders the system directly integrable giving multiple families of black-hole solutions. These have typically an asymptotically-flat Reissner-Nordstrom behaviour, and emerge in the presence of a canonical kinetic term for the scalar field. In the absence of parity symmetry, we present a general method which allows us to integrate the field equations by choosing the form of only one coupling function and an auxiliary quantity. This method leads to asymptotically flat and AdS black hole solutions with differing properties. We finally discuss disformal transformations within this context as a means of obtaining wormhole and black hole solutions in different theories.

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arXiv2022

Traversable wormholes in beyond Horndeski theories

We construct a large class of explicit, asymptotically flat and regular wormhole solutions in higher order scalar tensor theories. The solutions are vacuum solutions of scalar tensor theory and no matter (exotic or regular) is introduced in order to support them. They are constructed via a general disformal transformation of a seed black hole solution. The seed solutions belong to a particular Horndeski theory which requires the presence of all extended Galileons and has a higher dimensional Lovelock origin. As a result, the resulting wormholes are always solutions of general beyond Horndeski theory. The particular class of wormholes we study are parametrised by their ADM mass and two coupling constants of the theory, one related to their higher dimensional Lovelock origin and one to the disformal transformation itself. The latter of the coupling constants affects the throat size of the wormhole solutions, thus giving them a compact or non-compact nature, as well as their properties.

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arXiv2021

Analytic and exponentially localized brane-world Reissner-Nordström-AdS solution: a top-down approach

In this work, we construct a five-dimensional spherically-symmetric, charged and asymptotically Anti-de Sitter black hole with its singularity being point-like and strictly localised on our brane. In addition, the induced brane geometry is described by a Reissner-Nordström-(A)dS line-element. We perform a careful classification of the horizons, and demonstrate that all of them are exponentially localised close to the brane thus exhibiting a pancake shape. The bulk gravitational background is everywhere regular, and reduces to an AdS$_5$ spacetime right outside the black-hole event horizon. This geometry is supported by an anisotropic fluid with only two independent components, the energy density $ρ_E$ and tangential pressure $p_2$. All energy conditions are respected close to and on our brane, but a local violation takes place within the event horizon regime in the bulk. A tensor-vector-scalar field-theory model is built in an attempt to realise the necessary bulk matter, however, in order to do so, both gauge and scalar degrees of freedom need to turn phantom-like at the bulk boundary. The study of the junction conditions reveals that no additional matter needs to be introduced on the brane for its consistent embedding in the bulk geometry apart from its constant, positive tension. We finally compute the effective gravitational equations on the brane, and demonstrate that the Reissner-Nordström-(A)dS geometry on our brane is caused by the combined effect of the five-dimensional geometry and bulk matter with its charge being in fact a tidal charge.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Localized brane-world black hole analytically connected to an AdS$_5$ boundary

We construct from first principles the geometry of an analytic, exponentially localized five-dimensional brane-world black hole. The black-hole singularity lies entirely on the 3-brane, while the event horizon is shown to have a pancake shape. The induced line-element on the brane assumes the form of the Schwarzschild solution while the bulk geometry is effectively AdS$_5$ outside the horizon. The derived geometry is supported by an anisotropic fluid in the bulk described only by two independent components, the energy density and tangential pressure, whereas no matter needs to be introduced on the brane for its consistent embedding in the bulk.

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arXiv2020

Properties of ultra-compact particle-like solutions in Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theories

Besides scalarized black holes and wormholes, Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theories allow also for particle-like solutions. The scalar field of these particle-like solutions diverges at the origin, akin to the divergence of the Coulomb potential at the location of a charged particle. However, these particle-like solutions possess a globally regular metric, and their effective stress energy tensor is free from pathologies, as well. We determine the domain of existence for particle-like solutions in a number of Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theories, considering dilatonic and power-law coupling functions, and we analyze the physical properties of the solutions. Interestingly, the solutions may possess pairs of lightrings, and thus represent ultra-compact objects. We determine the location of these lightrings, and study the effective potential for the occurrence of echoes in the gravitational-wave spectrum. We also address the relation of these particle-like solutions to the respective wormhole and black-hole solutions, and clarify the limiting procedure to recover the Fisher solution (also known as Janis-Newman-Winicourt-Wyman solution).

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arXiv2020

Incorporating Physical Constraints in Braneworld Black-String Solutions for a Minkowski Brane in Scalar-Tensor Gravity

In the framework of a general scalar-tensor theory, where the scalar field is non-minimally coupled to the five-dimensional Ricci scalar curvature, we investigate the emergence of complete brane-world solutions. By assuming a variety of forms for the coupling function, we solve the field equations in the bulk, and determine in an analytic way the form of the gravitational background and scalar field in each case. The solutions are always characterized by a regular scalar field, a finite energy-momentum tensor, and an exponentially decaying warp factor even in the absence of a negative bulk cosmological constant. The space-time on the brane is described by the Schwarzschild solution leading to either a non-homogeneous black-string solution in the bulk, when the mass parameter $M$ is non-zero, or a regular anti-de Sitter space-time, when $M=0$. We construct physically-acceptable solutions by demanding in addition a positive effective gravitational constant on our brane, a positive total energy-density for our brane and the validity of the weak energy condition in the bulk. We find that, although the theory does not allow for all three conditions to be simultaneously satisfied, a plethora of solutions emerge which satisfy the first two, and most fundamental, conditions.

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arXiv2020

Particle-like ultracompact objects in Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theories

We present a new type of ultracompact objects, featuring lightrings and echoes in the gravitational-wave spectrum. These particle-like solutions arise in Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theories in four spacetime dimensions, representing globally regular spacetime manifolds. The scalar field diverges at the center, but the effective stress-energy tensor is free from pathologies. We determine their domain of existence and compare with wormhole solutions, black holes and the Fisher solution.

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arXiv2020

Large and Ultra-compact Gauss-Bonnet Black Holes with a Self-interacting Scalar Field

We consider the Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory, and study the case where a negative cosmological constant is replaced by a more realistic, negative scalar-field potential. We study different forms of the coupling function between the scalar field and the Gauss-Bonnet term as well as of the scalar potential. In all cases, we obtain asymptotically-flat, regular black-hole solutions with a non-trivial scalar field which naturally dies out at large distances. For a quadratic negative potential, two distinct subgroups of solutions emerge: the first comprises light black holes with a large horizon radius, and the second includes massive, ultra-compact black holes. The most ultra-compact solutions, having approximately the 1/20 of the horizon radius of the Schwarzschild solution with the same mass, emerge for the exponential and linear coupling functions. For other polynomial forms of the scalar potential, the subgroup of ultra-compact solutions disappears, and the black holes obtained may have a horizon radius larger or smaller than the Schwarzschild solution depending on the particular value of their mass.

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arXiv2020

Novel Einstein-Scalar-Gauss-Bonnet Wormholes without Exotic Matter

Novel wormholes are obtained in Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory for several coupling functions. The wormholes may feature a single-throat or a double-throat geometry and do not demand any exotic matter. The scalar field may asymptotically vanish or be finite, and it may possess radial excitations. The domain of existence is fully mapped out for several forms of the coupling function.

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arXiv2019

On the Existence of Solutions with a Horizon in Pure Scalar-Gauss-Bonnet Theories

We consider the Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory and assume that, at regimes of large curvature, the Ricci scalar may be ignored compared to the quadratic Gauss-Bonnet term. We then look for static, spherically-symmetric, regular black-hole solutions with a non-trivial scalar field. Despite the use of a general form of the spacetime line-element, no black-hole solutions are found. In contrast, solutions that resemble irregular particle-like solutions or completely regular gravitational solutions with a finite energy-momentum tensor do emerge. In addition, in the presence of a cosmological constant, solutions with a horizon also emerge, however, the latter corresponds to a cosmological rather than to a black-hole horizon. It is found that, whereas the Ricci term works towards the formation of the positively-curved topology of a black-hole horizon, the Gauss-Bonnet term exerts a repulsive force that hinders the formation of the black hole. Therefore, a pure scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory cannot sustain any black-hole solutions. However, it could give rise to interesting cosmological or particle-like solutions where the Ricci scalar plays a less fundamental role.

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arXiv2019

New Black-String Solutions for an Anti-de Sitter Brane in Scalar-Tensor Gravity

We consider a five-dimensional theory with a scalar field non-minimally-coupled to gravity, and we look for novel black-string solutions in the bulk. By appropriately choosing the non-minimal coupling function of the scalar field, we analytically solve the gravitational and scalar-field equations in the bulk to produce black-string solutions that describe a Schwarzschild-Anti-de Sitter space-time on the brane. We produce two complete such solutions that are both characterised by a regular scalar field, a localised-close-to-our brane energy-momentum tensor and a negative-definite, non-trivial bulk potential that may support by itself the warping of the space-time even in the absence of the traditional, negative, bulk cosmological constant. Despite the infinitely-long string singularity in the bulk, the four-dimensional effective theory on the brane is robust with the effective gravity scale being related to the fundamental one and the warping scale. It is worth noting that if we set the mass of the black hole on the brane equal to zero, the black string disappears leaving behind a regular brane-world model with only a true singularity at the boundary of the fifth dimension.

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arXiv2018

Novel Black-Hole Solutions in Einstein-Scalar-Gauss-Bonnet Theories with a Cosmological Constant

We consider the Einstein-scalar-Gauss-Bonnet theory in the presence of a cosmological constant $Λ$, either positive or negative, and look for novel, regular black-hole solutions with a non-trivial scalar hair. We first perform an analytic study in the near-horizon asymptotic regime, and demonstrate that a regular black-hole horizon with a non-trivial hair may be always formed, for either sign of $Λ$ and for arbitrary choices of the coupling function between the scalar field and the Gauss-Bonnet term. At the far-away regime, the sign of $Λ$ determines the form of the asymptotic gravitational background leading either to a Schwarzschild-Anti-de Sitter-type background ($Λ<0$) or a regular cosmological horizon ($Λ>0$), with a non-trivial scalar field in both cases. We demonstrate that families of novel black-hole solutions with scalar hair emerge for $Λ<0$, for every choice of the coupling function between the scalar field and the Gauss-Bonnet term, whereas for $Λ>0$, no such solutions may be found. In the former case, we perform a comprehensive study of the physical properties of the solutions found such as the temperature, entropy, horizon area and asymptotic behaviour of the scalar field.

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arXiv2018

Anti-Gravitating Brane-World Solutions for a de Sitter Brane in Scalar-Tensor Gravity

In the context of a five-dimensional theory with a scalar field non-minimally-coupled to gravity, we look for solutions that describe novel black-string or maximally-symmetric solutions in the bulk. The brane line-element is found to describe a Schwarzschild-(Anti)-de Sitter spacetime, and, here, we choose to study solutions with a positive four-dimensional cosmological constant. We consider two different forms of the coupling function of the scalar field to the bulk scalar curvature, a linear and a quadratic one. In the linear case, we find solutions where the theory, close to our brane, mimics an ordinary gravitational theory with a minimally-coupled scalar field giving rise to an exponentially decreasing warp factor in the absence of a negative bulk cosmological constant. The solution is characterised by the presence of a normal gravity regime around our brane and an anti-gravitating regime away from it. In the quadratic case, there is no normal-gravity regime at all, however, scalar field and energy-momentum tensor components are well-defined and an exponentially decreasing warp factor emerges again. We demonstrate that, in the context of this theory, the emergence of a positive cosmological constant on our brane is always accompanied by an anti-gravitating regime in the five-dimensional bulk.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Schwarzschild-de Sitter spacetime: the role of Temperature in the emission of Hawking radiation

We consider a Schwarzschild-de Sitter (SdS) black hole, and focus on the emission of massless scalar fields either minimally or non-minimally coupled to gravity. We use six different temperatures, two black-hole and four effective ones for the SdS spacetime, as the question of the proper temperature for such a background is still debated in the literature. We study their profiles under the variation of the cosmological constant, and derive the corresponding Hawking radiation spectra. We demonstrate that only few of these temperatures may support significant emission of radiation. We finally compute the total emissivities for each temperature, and show that the non-minimal coupling constant of the scalar field to gravity also affects the relative magnitudes of the energy emission rates.

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