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Pau Amaro Seoane

Publications and source records attributed to Pau Amaro Seoane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Stellar Collisions from Self-consistent Stellar Dynamics Around Growing Supermassive black Holes

The centers of galaxies harbor the densest stellar environments, where a massive black hole (MBH) accelerates stars to such high velocities that direct collisions can result in high-energetic phenomena, such as gravitational wave sources, kilonovae, and supernova-like transients. These collisions can reshape the cluster's density profile and release gas that can be subsequently accreted by the MBH. However, the evolving rates of such phenomena from self-consistent dynamics around mass-growing MBHs remain largely unexplored. In this work, we simulate nuclear star clusters (NSCs) across a range of masses and density profiles by employing the GNC Monte Carlo code, that self-consistently models stellar dynamics and the subsequent accretion of released gas. We find that stellar collisions flatten the density cusp in the innermost regions ($r \lesssim 10^{-3}-10^{-2}$ pc) within $\sim 0.1-1$ Gyr. While high initial collision rates in steep cusps quickly decline due to stellar depletion, the interplay between collisions and MBH growth is important only in massive NSCs ($M_\star \sim 10^9 M_\odot$). As MBH grows, increased stellar velocities shift the balance toward destructive collisions of which relative velocities can be $\gtrsim 2500 {\rm \,km\,s^{-1}}$. Consequently, present-day destructive collision rates in massive clusters remain high ($10^{-4}\sim 10^{-3}{\rm yr}^{-1}$), whereas they are smaller in Milky Way-like NSCs or negligible in smaller NSCs. Our results highlight a crucial synergy between stellar dynamics and MBH growth, identifying massive galaxies as prime targets for observing transients from destructive stellar collisions.

astro-ph.GA↗

Superdiffusion at the Galactic Centre

Tracking S-star cluster orbits around Sgr A* calibrates orbital transport models for space-borne gravitational wave detectors. Standard kinetic theories model this cluster via local Fokker-Planck equations, which predict that general relativistic precession halts angular momentum diffusion at the Schwarzschild barrier. Because inverse-square gravitational encounters generate a Holtsmark torque distribution with infinite variance, resonant relaxation operates as a space-fractional process governed by non-local Lévy flights. We simulate this superdiffusive continuous-time random walk using a Markov chain initialized with empirical S-star orbits, including the recently observd S301. Integro-differential fractional operators allow trajectories to cross regions of quenched local diffusion without density buildup at the barrier. Non-equilibrium regimes yield immediate linear flux growth, while secular tidal heating at periastron inflates stellar radii to shift disruption boundaries. Regularized backward integration of the fractional transport equation traces current phase space configurations back to initial deposition states, matching the energy requirements of the \emph{Fermi} bubbles. Relativistic precession does not suppress mass-ratio inspiral rates, which provides a model for event topologies in target galactic nuclei.

astro-ph.GA↗

Stellar rotation of S301 as a macroscopic gyroscope to test general relativity

Stellar trajectories around the Galactic Center provide a testing environment for general relativity. The intrinsic rotation of these stars evolves under covariant transport in curved spacetime and classical Newtonian quadrupole torques. We analyze the recently observed S301 S-star to quantify the relativistic precession of its rotational axis. Its 8.7-year period and eccentricity of $e = 0.982$ localize geodetic precession and Newtonian quadrupole torques to a step function at periapsis. We incorporate first-order post-Newtonian corrections into the orbital kinematics to calculate the spatial trajectory. Sampling an isotropic distribution of initial orientations and viewing geometries over a 40-year period across a grid of equatorial velocities and rotational ellipticities, we calculate the statistical likelihood of an absolute shift in the projected rotational line broadening, $|Δv \sin i|$. The relativistic geodetic shift scales linearly with $v_{\rm rot}$ and the classical quadrupole shift is independent of rotation speed, scaling with $q$. The absolute maximum velocity shift saturates at $46.1\,\kms$ for oblate stars. The absolute median shifts, driven by geodetic precession, range from $3\,\kms$ to $6.3\,\kms$. We calculate the time-domain observable $|Δv \sin i|$ to provide a target for infrared spectrographs testing the Schwarzschild metric around Sgr~A$^\ast$. The spin of S301 acts as a flying gyroscope whose drift, if measured, can test Einstein's theory in a regime that has not previously been accessible.

astro-ph.GA↗

A dust-free hierarchically nested supermassive-star model for James Webb Space Telescope Little Red Dots

Observations by the James Webb Space Telescope reveal a population of high-redshift objects, the little red dots. These sources exhibit optical reddening alongside blue ultraviolet continua, host broad Balmer lines indicative of active black holes, and lack detectable x-ray emission. Their cosmic abundance at early epochs exceeds standard Eddington-limited growth timescales. Prevailing models invoke specific dust geometries to reconcile these traits. We propose a dust-free physical framework. We evaluate the concept that the dust-poor subset of little red dots represents the observational manifestation of hierarchically nested supermassive stars. A primary radiation-dominated envelope traps a nuclear star cluster. Plunging stars drive a magnetic dynamo that inflates the envelope. This produces the red optical continuum. Unobscured infalling stars yield the blue ultraviolet excess. Trapped stellar debris sediments to form a high-density secondary core within this Compton-thick host. This nested topology thermalizes x-rays and powers the broad hydrogen $α$ features. The central seed accretes at the global radiation limit of the host envelope. This kinetic bypass shortens the assembly timescale from hundreds of millions of years to tens of millions of years.

astro-ph.SR↗

Waveform Modelling for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

LISA, the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, will usher in a new era in gravitational-wave astronomy. As the first anticipated space-based gravitational-wave detector, it will expand our view to the millihertz gravitational-wave sky, where a spectacular variety of interesting new sources abound: from millions of ultra-compact binaries in our Galaxy, to mergers of massive black holes at cosmological distances; from the beginnings of inspirals that will venture into the ground-based detectors' view to the death spiral of compact objects into massive black holes, and many sources in between. Central to realising LISA's discovery potential are waveform models, the theoretical and phenomenological predictions of the pattern of gravitational waves that these sources emit. This white paper is presented on behalf of the Waveform Working Group for the LISA Consortium. It provides a review of the current state of waveform models for LISA sources, and describes the significant challenges that must yet be overcome.

gr-qc↗

The background gas humming and multi-messenger transients of stalled supermassive black hole binaries

We establish the multi-messenger mechanics of episodic mass transfer in supermassive black hole binaries stalled within circumbinary discs. Utilizing continuous wavelet transforms, we isolate localized gas clumps at the cavity edge and track their evolution. By regularizing the forced fluid equations at Lindblad resonances via the inhomogeneous Airy differential equation, we bypass linear singularities to extract the finite wave amplitudes that trigger non-linear shock formation. These shocks produce bounded accretion bursts. We model the time-domain thermal luminosity, deriving an analytical power spectral density that forms a harmonic cascade. The superposition of the accretion streams generates a spectral beat frequency, providing an exact mathematical extraction of the binary mass ratio. The radiative cooling of shock-accelerated electrons produces a multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution from a synchrotron radio continuum to an inverse-Compton gamma-ray tail. We identify a relativistic signature: a discontinuous, high-frequency gravitational wave sideband termed the ``background gas humming''. This emission arises from the highly asymmetric, transient fluid geometry of the accretion shocks. Evaluating the asymptotic properties of the Airy regularization, we show that this humming manifests as a sequence of discrete high-frequency bursts with temporal quiescence gaps that systematically compress as the cavity shrinks. We show that the instantaneous mass of the gas actively trapped within the cavity violently amplifies prior to decoupling, culminating in a terminal burst near 4.0 mHz that serves as a multi-messenger precursor to the final vacuum inspiral.

astro-ph.HE↗

The Crimson Kiss of Two Giants: Helium Detonation and High-Energy Neutrino Production

The coalescence of degenerate helium cores during red giant collisions - a process we term erythrohenosis - introduces a novel class of transient astrophysical sources of high-energy neutrinos. Using stellar models generated with MESA and SPH simulations of the final inspiral phase, we develop a semi-analytical model to estimate the amount of hydrogen mixed into the cores, the energy release ($\approx 4.28 \times 10^{49}$ erg) that heats the remnant to $T_f \approx 5.3 \times 10^8$ K, the magnetic field amplification ($B \approx 1.77 \times 10^{10}$ G), and the resulting neutrino flux. We find that the predicted TeV--PeV neutrino signal can account for the diffuse neutrino flux observed by IceCube and demonstrate that a single merger event within $\sim 2$ Mpc would be detectable in this energy regime. Furthermore, we discuss the probability of a magnetized helium flash and assess the subsequent activation of the CNO cycle in the remnant core due to hydrogen mixing. In particular, neutrinos from the decay of $^{18}$F offer a direct observational test of the detonation. The simultaneous emission of high-energy hadronic neutrinos, gravitational waves, and -- if the optical depth permits -- an electromagnetic signal would constitute a unique multimessenger signature of red giant core collisions, positioning erythrohenosis events as exotic yet potentially observable phenomena in dense stellar systems.

astro-ph.HE↗

Co-evolution of Nuclear Star Clusters and Massive Black Holes: Extreme Mass-Ratio Inspirals

We explore extreme mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) in the co-evolution of massive black holes (MBHs) and nuclear star clusters (NSCs), which host diverse stellar populations across a wide range of masses. The dynamics are simulated self-consistently with GNC, which we have updated to incorporate gravitational wave orbital decay, the loss cone of a spinning MBH, and stellar evolution. Over $12$ Gyr, we investigate the evolution of the NSC with a mass-growing MBH, as well as the EMRIs of stellar black holes, neutron stars, white dwarfs, brown dwarfs (BDs), and low-mass main-sequence stars (MSs), along with tidal disruption events (TDEs) involving MSs, BDs, and post-MSs. The mass growth of the MBH contributed by TDEs is typically $\sim 10^7\,M_{\odot}$, $\sim 10^6\,M_{\odot}$, and $\sim 5\times10^4\,M_{\odot}$ for massive, Milky-Way-like, and smaller NSCs, respectively. Between $40\%$ and $70\%$ of the stellar mass is lost during stellar evolution, which dominates the mass growth of the MBH if a significant fraction of the lost mass is accreted. The evolution of EMRI rates is generally affected by the cluster's size expansion or contraction, stellar population evolution, MBH mass growth, and the stellar initial mass function. The EMRI rates for compact objects peak at early epochs ($\lesssim 1$ Gyr) and then gradually decline over cosmic time. LISA-band ($0.1$ mHz) EMRIs involving compact objects around Milky-Way-like MBHs tend to have high eccentricities, while those around spinning MBHs preferentially occupy low-inclination (prograde) orbits. In contrast, MS- and BD-EMRIs usually have eccentricity and inclination distributions that are distinct from those of compact objects.

astro-ph.GA↗

Illuminating gravitational wave sources with Sgr A* flares

Sagittarius A* exhibits daily energetic flares characterized by non-thermal emission in the infrared and X-ray bands. While the underlying accretion flow is a Radiatively Inefficient Accretion Flow (RIAF) peaking at radio frequencies, the mechanism powering these non-thermal transients remains debated. Stellar dynamics predict a population of faint brown dwarfs orbiting Sgr A*. We investigate whether the tidal stripping of brown dwarfs provides a viable fueling mechanism for the observed flares. These objects are progenitors of Extremely Large Mass Ratio Inspirals (XMRIs), crucial sources of low-frequency gravitational waves for the future LISA mission. We present high-resolution hydrodynamic simulations of grazing tidal interactions coupled with a parameterized non-thermal radiation model. We numerically model the stripping of the brown dwarf envelope and the subsequent accretion of this material. We demonstrate that the dynamics of the tidal fallback and subsequent viscous evolution naturally reproduce the fundamental temporal characteristics of observed flares: the peak luminosity and the characteristic 1-hour duration. We show that this fueling mechanism is dynamically viable and energetically consistent, placing strong constraints on the required efficiency of the non-thermal emission process, suggesting extreme radiative inefficiency. These findings provide compelling evidence for a hidden population of brown dwarfs in the Galactic Center. Crucially, the observed high flare frequency implies tight orbits characteristic of advanced inspirals. This establishes a direct link between electromagnetic transients and active gravitational wave sources, alerting the LISA consortium years in advance to the presence of specific XMRI systems promising exceptionally high signal-to-noise ratios for precision tests of general relativity.

astro-ph.HE↗

Erythrohenosis -- The crimson chronicles of two giants

We investigate erythrohenosis -- the collision and merger of two red giants -- establishing an end-to-end model for this fundamental evolutionary channel in dense stellar environments. Combining three-dimensional SPH simulations of a binary with analytical modeling, we characterize the event from initial encounter to terminal explosion. We demonstrate that grazing encounters induce tidal capture and rapid orbital decay, accompanied by large-amplitude, nonlinear stellar oscillations. The subsequent inspiral spins up the common envelope into a stable, non-spherical equilibrium, powering a luminous precursor with quasi-periodic bursts. The terminal explosion, modeled with angular momentum conservation, produces an intrinsically flattened remnant that preserves a geometric memory, or morphomnesia, of its binary origin. The associated gravitational wave signal features a rapid, drag-dominated frequency evolution, identifiable by a unique time-varying apparent chirp mass. These results define a distinctive multi-stage observational fingerprint -- linking transient optical precursors, asymmetric nebulae, and anomalous gravitational wave chirps -- to guide identification in current and future multi-messenger surveys.

astro-ph.HE↗

Bumblebee cosmology: The FLRW solution and the CMB temperature anisotropy

We put into test the idea of replacing dark energy by a vector field against the cosmic microwave background (CMB) observation using the simplest vector-tensor theory, where a massive vector field couples to the Ricci scalar and the Ricci tensor quadratically. First, a remarkable Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) metric solution that is completely independent of the matter-energy compositions of the universe is found. Second, based on the FLRW solution as well as the perturbation equations, a numerical code calculating the CMB temperature power spectrum is built. We find that though the FLRW solution can mimic the evolution of the universe in the standard $Λ$CDM model, the calculated CMB temperature power spectrum shows unavoidable discrepancies from the CMB power spectrum measurements.

gr-qc↗

Listening to black mirrors with gravitational radiation

The existence of curvature singularities and the information and firewall paradoxes are significant problems for the conventional black hole model. The black mirror provides a CPT-symmetric alternative to the classical description. We show that classical black holes can be distinguished from black mirrors by using gravitational waves. The principal challenge is to identify a unique, testable signature of the black mirror's reflective horizon that can be detected. The horizon singularity of the black mirror model necessitates that no energy flux is propagated beyond the horizon, which can be described effectively by imposing specific boundary conditions at the event horizon. We demonstrate that the quasi-normal mode spectrum of the black mirror is fundamentally different from that of classical black holes. We derive the reflectivity of the black mirror and find it is given precisely by the generalized Boltzmann factor. Moreover, we show that this is a universal behaviour: regardless of the specific details of the unknown quantum gravity interactions, the macroscopic reflectivity is dictated solely by the Hawking temperature $T_H$. This drastically alters the orbital dynamics of extreme-mass ratio inspirals. For low spins, the inspiral decelerates due to reduced absorption. For high spins and prograde orbits, the black mirror suppresses the superradiant amplification of classical black holes, acting instead as an absorber. This leads to an inspiral that proceeds faster than the classical prediction. Finally, we show that this model allows for the cosmic growth of supermassive black holes to high spins via accretion. A definitive detection of these signatures would provide compelling evidence distinguishing the reflective boundary of a black mirror from the perfectly absorbing horizon of a classical black hole.

gr-qc↗

Predicting stellar collision outcomes of main sequence stars

Stellar collisions in dense galactic nuclei might play an important role in fueling supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and shaping their environments. The gas released during these collisions can contribute to SMBH accretion, influencing phenomena such as active galactic nuclei and tidal disruption events of the remnants. We address the challenge of rapidly and accurately predicting the outcomes of stellar collisionsincluding remnant masses and unbound gasacross a broad parameter space of initial conditions. Existing smoothed-particle-hydrodynamic (SPH) simulation techniques, while detailed, are too resource-intensive for exploratory studies or real-time applications. We develop a machine learning framework trained on a dataset of $\sim 16,000$ SPH simulations of main-sequence star collisions. By extracting physically meaningful parameters (e.g., masses, radii, impact parameters, and virial ratios) and employing gradient-boosted regression trees with Huber loss, we create a model that balances accuracy and computational efficiency. The method includes logarithmic transforms to handle dynamic ranges and regularization to ensure physical plausibility. The model achieves predictions of collision outcomes (remnant masses, and unbound mass) with very low mean absolute errors respect to the typical mass scale. It operates in fractions of a second, enabling large-scale parameter studies and real-time applications. Parameter importance analysis reveals that the impact parameter and the relative velocity dominate outcomes, aligning with theoretical expectations. Our approach provides a scalable tool for studying stellar collisions in galactic nuclei. The rapid predictions facilitate investigations into gas supply for SMBH accretion and the cumulative effects of collisions over cosmic time, particularly relevant to address the growth of SMBHs.

astro-ph.GA↗

Popcorn EMRIs: Transient Gravitational Wave Signals and Their Analysis in Schwartz Space

We investigate extreme-mass ratio inspirals (EMRIs) with orbital periods exceeding the observational timescale of mHz gravitational wave observatories. In their early, highly eccentric phases, these systems generate transient gravitational wave bursts during pericentre passages, separated by long quiescent intervals; we designate these signals ``popcorn EMRIs.'' We utilize a steady-state analytical model based on the continuity equation in phase space to estimate the population in a Milky Way-like galaxy. The normalization of this model is linked to the solution of the Fokker-Planck equation describing stellar relaxation. Adopting a conservative one-year observation baseline ($P>1$ year), we estimate the steady-state population of popcorn EMRIs. We forecast an observable burst rate of 5 to 44 events per year. The low duty cycle ($\sim 10^{-4}$) confirms their manifestation as isolated transients. Individual bursts from the Galactic Centre exhibit high detectability. Analyzing these intrinsically transient signals demands a rigorous mathematical framework, as standard windowing techniques distort burst morphology. We establish an analytical foundation using standard smoothing techniques commonly used in real analysis. This yields the mathematically correct definition for the Fourier transform of transient signals, justifying the use of the direct Fourier transform without ad hoc windowing and ensuring the integrity of spectral analysis.

gr-qc↗

Fractional Dynamics in Galactic Nuclei: Non-Local Transport, Transient Phenomena and the Nullification of the Schwarzschild Barrier

We investigate the application of fractional calculus to model stellar dynamics, focusing on Resonant Relaxation (RR) near a supermassive black hole (SMBH). Standard theories use the local Fokker-Planck (FP) equation, restricted to Gaussian processes under the Central Limit Theorem (CLT). We argue this is inadequate for RR. We demonstrate that gravitational interactions inherently produce infinite variance in stochastic torques, violating the CLT. Consequently, RR is governed by the Generalized Central Limit Theorem (GCLT) and constitutes a superdiffusive Lévy flight. We apply the space-fractional Fokker-Planck equation (FFPE), utilizing non-local operators, to explore resolutions to observational discrepancies. In transient regimes, the FFPE predicts immediate, linear flux ($Γ(t) \propto t$), consistent with high Tidal Disruption Event (TDE) rates in post-starburst galaxies, whereas local FP models predict significant exponential delay. Furthermore, we demonstrate analytically that non-local integral operators permit ``barrier jumping,'' bypassing bottlenecks like the Schwarzschild Barrier (SB), which local models interpret as severely suppressing Extreme Mass-Ratio Inspiral (EMRI) rates. We present proof-of-concept $N$-body simulations that confirm non-local RR transport, although the resolution must be improved to rule out enhanced Two-Body Relaxation in the small-N setup. The fractional framework offers a compelling alternative description for non-local transport, potentially resolving TDE and EMRI rate questions.

astro-ph.GA↗

Dynamical Non-Commutative Algebraic Geometry: Inflation, Bifurcation, and the Dynamics of Collapse across Division Algebras

We develop a framework for dynamical non-commutative algebraic geometry (DNCAG) by analyzing the evolution and stability of polynomial root manifolds in real normed division algebras ($\mathbb{H}$ and $\mathbb{O}$). We establish a Generalized Inflation Theorem, demonstrating that for central polynomials, the root set forms a homogeneous space $G/H$, where $G$ is the automorphism group of the algebra ($SO(3)$ for $\mathbb{H}$, $G_2$ for $\mathbb{O}$). This mechanism generates continuous geometry from non-commutativity. We analyze the dynamics under central modulation (breathing modes), classifying topological bifurcations ($Δ=0$). We then analyze the topological collapse induced by non-central perturbations, governed by symmetry reduction. We utilize the Localization Theorem (Gordon-Motzkin) to explain the alignment of roots with coefficient subalgebras. We formalize the dynamics of collapse using gradient flow on the potential landscape $\mathcal{V}(x) = \|P(x)\|^2$, characterizing it as a deformation retract and proving that the collapse timescale exhibits critical slowing down with quadratic scaling ($T_{\rm collapse} \propto ε^{-2}$). Finally, we introduce a thermodynamic formalism, proving an Entropy Scaling Law that rigorously characterizes the collapse as a symmetry-breaking phase transition.

math.AG↗

Taming the plunge: A circularization trap of supermassive black hole binaries

We investigate the orbital eccentricity evolution of supermassive black hole binaries within galactic environments. We analyze the dynamics in triaxial merger remnants and subsequent interactions with geometrically thick nuclear discs. We confirm that gravitational torques in triaxial potentials efficiently extract angular momentum, resulting in binary formation with high initial eccentricities. We then analyze the binary-disc interaction using a 3D analytical framework incorporating the Airy formalism and potential softening. We present a self-consistent derivation demonstrating that the 3D suppression of high-order torques leads to distinct scalings with disc thickness ($h$): migration rates $τ_a^{-1} \propto h^{-3}$ and eccentricity damping rates $τ_e^{-1} \propto h^{-5}$. This establishes a timescale hierarchy, $τ_e/τ_a \propto h^2$. For typical parameters ($h\approx 0.2$), eccentricity damping is significantly faster than orbital decay ($τ_e \approx 0.04 \, τ_a$). We further develop a wavelet-based formalism to quantify the impact of disc inhomogeneities arising from accretion feedback and turbulence. We derive the stochastic torque variance in the wavelet domain and employ a Fokker-Planck analysis to determine the equilibrium eccentricity distribution. While stochastic fluctuations counteract deterministic damping, the strong damping imposed by the thick disc geometry ensures the equilibrium eccentricity remains small unless the fluctuations are highly non-linear. Hence, even if born highly eccentric, SMBHBs are rapidly circularized. This circularization trap forces binaries to approach the gravitational wave-dominated regime on nearly circular orbits, prolonging the total merger timescale. This introduces a substantial cosmological delay governed by stellar relaxation, which impacts detection rates and the modeling of SMBH assembly in cosmological frameworks.

astro-ph.GA↗

Self-consistent Solutions of Evolving Nuclear Star Clusters with Two-Dimensional Monte-Carlo Dynamical Simulations

We recently developed a Monte-Carlo method (GNC) that can simulate the dynamical evolution of a nuclear stellar cluster (NSC) with a massive black hole (MBH), where the two-body relaxations can be solved by the Fokker-Planck equations in energy and angular momentum space. Here we make a major update of GNC~ by integrating stellar potential and adiabatic invariant theory, so that we can study the self-consistent dynamics of NSCs with increasing mass of the MBH. We perform tests of the self-adaptation of cluster density due to MBH mass growth and Plummer core collapse, both finding consistent results with previous studies, the latter having a core collapse time of $\sim 17t_{\rm rh}$ by GNC, where $t_{\rm rh}$ is the time of half-mass relaxation. We use GNC~ to study the cosmological evolution of the properties of NSC and the mass of MBH assuming that the mass growth of the MBH is due to loss-cone accretion of stars (e.g., tidal disruption of stars) and stellar black holes, and compare the simulation results with the observations of NSCs in Milky-Way or near-by galaxies. Such scenario is possible to produce MBHs with mass $10^5\sim 10^7\,M_\odot$ for NSCs with stellar mass of $10^6\sim 10^9\,M_\odot$. In Milky-Way's NSC, to grow MBH up to $4\times 10^6\,M_\odot$, its size needs to be $\sim 1.7$ times more compact in early universe than the current value. MBHs with current masses $>6\times 10^{7}\,M_\odot$ seem difficult to explain by loss-cone accretion alone, and thus may require other additional accretion channels, such as gas accretion.

astro-ph.GA↗