arXiv subjects

Pau Amaro Seoane

Publications and source records attributed to Pau Amaro Seoane.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

A forest of gravitational waves in our Galactic Centre

At the Galactic Centre, we can expect a population of a few tens of early extreme-mass ratio inspirals (E-EMRIs) and extremely large mass ratio inspirals (XMRIs). Depending on their evolutionary stage, they can be highly eccentric, with moderate signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of tens or hundreds, or nearly circular, with SNRs as large as a few thousand. Their individual signals combine into a common signal, which can complicate the resolution of other types of sources. We have calculated the foreground signal of continuous E-EMRIs and XMRIs using a catalog based on the expected number of sources and a realistic phase-space distribution. The forest of E-EMRIs will cover a large portion of the LISA sensitivity curve, obscuring the signals of some massive black hole binaries, verification binaries, and harmonics of EMRIs in their polychromatic phase. The combined signal from XMRIs will be much weaker but still affect intermediate-mass black hole binaries. Due to the large SNR, this forest can be also found in other galactic nuclei, such as that of the Andromeda galaxy. Even under conservative assumptions, the forest created by E-EMRIs and XMRIs in our Galactic Centre will likely pose a challenge for resolving other types of sources, as their contribution is non-coherent and exhibits large SNRs.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Cross terms and monochromatic gravitational wave sources in our Galactic Centre

The gravitational capture of a small compact object by a supermassive black hole is one of the most intriguing sources of gravitational waves to be detected by space-borne observatories. Modeling gravitational waves is a challenging task. However, various approximations exist that enable us to claim detection and perform parameter extraction with high accuracy on synthetic data. The first numerical implementation of relativistic corrections for an astrophysical system was conducted in a post-Newtonian (PN) framework, and since then, most comparable programmes have followed a similar approach. Nevertheless, the PN approach has been developed for two particles in a vacuum. Here, we present the first results on the impact of cross-terms in the PN scheme for ``monochromatic'' sources (meaning that the peak frequency does not evolve over the observational time), which account for the interplay between different bodies. We present a conceptual and illustrative study of the cross-terms on the first PN term in a group of three bodies representing asymmetric binaries (X-MRIs, E-EMRIs, and X-MRIs with E-EMRIs). We find that these cross-terms can lead to a complete phase shift of the gravitational wave by a few times $2π$ over periods of time of less than one year for the close binaries. Ignoring the cross-terms in the relativistic semi-Keplerian system can significantly complicate parameter extraction for monochromatic sources.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

The I-Love universal relation for polytropic stars under Newtonian gravity

The moment of inertia and tidal deformability of idealized stars with polytropic equations of state (EOSs) are numerically calculated under both Newtonian gravity and general relativity (GR). The results explicitly confirm that the relation between the moment of inertia and tidal deformability, parameterized by the star's mass, exhibits variations of 1% to 10% for different polytropic indices in Newtonian gravity and GR, respectively. This indicates a more robust I-Love universal relation in the Newtonian framework. The theoretically derived I-Love universal relation for polytropic stars is subsequently tested against observational data for the moment of inertia and tidal deformability of the 8 planets and some moons in our solar system. The analysis reveals that the theoretical I-Love universal relation aligns well with the observational data, suggesting that it can serve as an empirical relation. Consequently, it enables the estimation of either the moment of inertia or the tidal deformability of an exoplanet if one of these quantities, along with the mass of the exoplanet, is known.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

The Lunar Gravitational-wave Antenna: Mission Studies and Science Case

The Lunar Gravitational-wave Antenna (LGWA) is a proposed array of next-generation inertial sensors to monitor the response of the Moon to gravitational waves (GWs). Given the size of the Moon and the expected noise produced by the lunar seismic background, the LGWA would be able to observe GWs from about 1 mHz to 1 Hz. This would make the LGWA the missing link between space-borne detectors like LISA with peak sensitivities around a few millihertz and proposed future terrestrial detectors like Einstein Telescope or Cosmic Explorer. In this article, we provide a first comprehensive analysis of the LGWA science case including its multi-messenger aspects and lunar science with LGWA data. We also describe the scientific analyses of the Moon required to plan the LGWA mission.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Prograde and retrograde stars in nuclear cluster mergers. Evolution of the supermassive black hole binary and the host galactic nucleus

We address the orbital distribution of stars in merging nuclear star clusters (NSCs) and the subsequent effects on supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) evolution. We ran direct-summation $N$-body simulations with different initial conditions to do a detailed study of the resulting NSC after their progenitors had merged. Our findings reveal that prograde stars form a flattened structure, while retrograde stars have a more spherical distribution. The axial ratios of the prograde component vary based on the presence and mass ratio of the SMBHs. The fraction of prograde and retrograde stars depends on the merger orbital properties and the SMBH mass ratio. The interactions of retrograde stars with the SMBHB affect the eccentricity and separation evolution of the binary. Our analysis reveals a strong correlation between the angular momentum and eccentricity of the SMBH binary. This relationship could serve as a means to infer information about the stellar dynamics surrounding the binary. We find that prograde orbits are particularly close to the binary of SMBHs, a promising fact regarding extreme mass ratio inspiral (EMRI) production. Moreover, prograde and retrograde stars have different kinematic structures, with the prograde stars typically rotating faster than the retrograde ones. The line-of-sight velocity and velocity dispersion, as well as the velocity anisotropy of each NSC, depend on the initial merger orbital properties and SMBH mass ratios. The prograde and retrograde stars always show different behaviours. The distribution of stellar orbits and the dynamical properties of each kinematic population can potentially be used as a way to tell the properties of the parent nuclei apart, and has an important impact on expected rates of EMRIs, which will be detected by future gravitational wave observatories such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). [abridged]

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Improving constraints on the extended mass distribution in the Galactic Center with stellar orbits

Studying the orbital motion of stars around Sagittarius A* in the Galactic Center provides a unique opportunity to probe the gravitational potential near the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Galaxy. Interferometric data obtained with the GRAVITY instrument at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) since 2016 has allowed us to achieve unprecedented precision in tracking the orbits of these stars. GRAVITY data have been key to detecting the in-plane, prograde Schwarzschild precession of the orbit of the star S2, as predicted by General Relativity. By combining astrometric and spectroscopic data from multiple stars, including S2, S29, S38, and S55 - for which we have data around their time of pericenter passage with GRAVITY - we can now strengthen the significance of this detection to an approximately $10 σ$ confidence level. The prograde precession of S2's orbit provides valuable insights into the potential presence of an extended mass distribution surrounding Sagittarius A*, which could consist of a dynamically relaxed stellar cusp comprised of old stars and stellar remnants, along with a possible dark matter spike. Our analysis, based on two plausible density profiles - a power-law and a Plummer profile - constrains the enclosed mass within the orbit of S2 to be consistent with zero, establishing an upper limit of approximately $1200 \, M_\odot$ with a $1 σ$ confidence level. This significantly improves our constraints on the mass distribution in the Galactic Center. Our upper limit is very close to the expected value from numerical simulations for a stellar cusp in the Galactic Center, leaving little room for a significant enhancement of dark matter density near Sagittarius A*.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Underluminous tidal disruptions

We have evidence of X-ray flares in several galaxies consistent with a a star being tidally disrupted by a supermassive black hole (MBH). If the star starts on a nearly parabolic orbit relative to the MBH, one can derive that the fallback rate follows a $t^{-5/3}$ decay. Depending on the penetration factor, $β$, a star will be torn apart differently, and relativistic effects play a role. We have modified the standard version of the smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code {\sc Gadget} to include a relativistic treatment of the gravitational forces between the gas particles of a main-sequence (MS) star and a MBH. We include non-spinning post-Newtonian corrections to incorpore the periapsis shift and the spin-orbit coupling up to next-to-lowest order. We find that tidal disruptions around MBHs in the relativistic cases are underluminous for values starting at $β\gtrapprox 2.25$; i.e. the fallback curves produced in the relativistic cases are progressively lower compared to the Newtonian simulations as the penetration parameter increases. While the Newtonian cases display a total disruption, we find that all relativistic counterparts feature a survival core for penetration factors going to values as high as $12.05$. We perform a additional dynamical numerical study which shows that the geodesics of the elements in the star converge at periapsis. We confirm these findings with an analytical study of the geodesic separation equation. The luminosity of TDEs must be lower than predicted theoretically due to the fact that the star will partially survive when relativistic effects are taken into account. A survival core should consistently emerge from any TDE with $β\gtrapprox 2.25$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Mono- and oligochromatic extreme-mass ratio inspirals

The gravitational capture of a stellar-mass object by a supermassive black hole represents a unique probe of warped spacetime. The small object, typically a stellar-mass black hole, describes a very large number of cycles before crossing the event horizon. Because of the mass difference, we call these captures extreme-mass ratio inspirals (EMRIs). Their merger event rate at the Galactic Centre is negligible, but the amount of time spent in the early inspiral is not. Early EMRIs (E-EMRIs) spend hundreds of thousands of years in band during this phase. At very early stages, the peak of the frequency will not change during an observational time. At later stages, it will change a bit and finally the EMRI explores a wide range of them when it is close to merger. We distinguish between "monocromatic" E-EMRIs, which do not change their (peak) frequency, oligochromatic E-EMRIs, which explore a short range and polychromatic ones, the EMRIs which have been discussed so far in the literature. We derive the number of E-EMRIs at the Galactic Centre, and their signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and perform a study of parameter extraction. We show that parameters such as the spin and the mass can be extracted with an error which can be as small as $10^{-11}$ and $10^{-5}\,M_{\odot}$. There are between hundreds and thousands of E-EMRIs in their monochromatic stage at the GC, and tens in their oligochromatic phase. The SNR ranges from a minimum of $10$ (larger likelihood) to a maximum of $10^6$ (smaller likelihood). Moreover, we derive the contribution signal corresponding to the incoherent sum of continuous with two representatives masses; $10\,M_{\odot}$ and $40\,M_{\odot}$ and show that their curves will cover a significant part of LISA's sensitivity curve. Depending on their level of circularisation, they might be detected as individual sources or form a foreground population.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Colliding red giants in galactic nuclei: Shocks, jets, impact on the ISM, X- and gamma-rays, neutrinos, fusion ignition and afterglow

In galactic nuclei, stellar densities are so high that stars can physically collide with each other. In this work we focus on the collision of red giants and in particular on the formation of non-thermal processes through collisions and their properties. We analytically address these points by evaluating head-on collisions but also take into account scenarios with a deviation from the radial orbit, which we treat in a perturbative fashion. The collisions produce internal shocks with supersonic Mach numbers. Almost immediately, jet-like structures with important Lorentz factors form. The debris from the collision produces another shock wave which, when interacting with the interstellar medium of a galactic nucleus, leads to particle acceleration. We estimate the background flux in X- and gamma rays created by the background of these collisions by deriving the spectral index within a radius of 100 Mpc and find that they are high. Additionally, we make an estimate of the neutrino production and find about $10^{11}$ neutrinos per square meter per second for a collision at 100 Mpc from Earth. Also, we derive that there is a non-negligible chance to ignite fusion during the collision, due to the squeezing of the material. We investigate the possibility that the degenerate cores collide with each other, leading to a high afterglow luminosity, and find that it is non-negligible, although this should be addressed with dedicated numerical simulations. Colliding red giants in galactic nuclei trigger a plethora of high-energy phenomena, and have a particular gravitational wave emission associated, as shown by us, so that their detection will allow us to rule out alternatives.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Collisions of red giants in galactic nuclei

In stellar-dense environments, stars can collide with each other. For collisions close to a supermassive black hole (SMBH), the collisional kinetic energy can be so large that the colliding stars can be completely destroyed, potentially releasing an amount of energy comparable to that of a supernova. Such violent collisions, which we call BH-driven disruptive collisions (BDCs), have been examined mostly analytically, with the non-linear hydrodynamical effects being left largely unstudied. Using the moving-mesh hydrodynamics code {\small AREPO}, we investigate high-velocity ($>10^{3}$ km/s) collisions between 1M$_{\odot}$ giants with varying radii, impact parameters, and initial approaching velocities, and estimate their observables. Very strong shocks across the collision surface efficiently convert $\gtrsim10\%$ of the initial kinetic energy into radiation energy. The outcome is a gas cloud expanding supersonically, homologously, and quasi-spherically, generating a flare with a peak luminosity $\simeq 10^{41}-10^{44}$ erg/s in the extreme UV band ($\simeq 10$ eV). The luminosity decreases approximately following a power-law $t^{-0.7}$ initially, then $t^{-0.4}$ after $t\simeq$10 days at which point it would be bright in the optical band ($\lesssim 1$eV). Subsequent, and possibly even brighter, emission would be generated due to the accretion of the gas cloud onto the nearby SMBH, possibly lasting up to multi-year timescales. This inevitable BH-collision product interaction can contribute to the growth of BHs at all mass scales, in particular, seed BHs at high redshifts. Furthermore, the proximity of the events to the central BH makes them a potential tool for probing the existence of dormant BHs, even very massive ones which cannot be probed by tidal disruption events.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Analysis of Kozai Cycles in Equal-Mass Hierarchical Triple Supermassive Black Hole Mergers in the Presence of a Stellar Cluster

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) play an important role in galaxy evolution. Binary and triple SMBHs can form after galaxy mergers. A third SMBH may accelerate the SMBH merging process, possibly through the Kozai mechanism. We use N -body simulations to analyze oscillations in the orbital elements of hierarchical triple SMBHs with surrounding star clusters in galaxy centers. We find that SMBH triples spend only a small fraction of time in the hierarchical merger phase (i.e., a binary SMBH with a distant third SMBH perturber). Most of the time, the enclosed stellar mass within the orbits of the innermost or the outermost SMBH is comparable to the SMBH masses, indicating that the influence of the surrounding stellar population cannot be ignored. We search for Eccentric Kozai-Lidov (EKL) oscillations for which (i) the eccentricity of the inner binary and inclination are both oscillate and are anti-phase or in-phase and (ii) the oscillation period is consistent with EKL timescale. We find that EKL oscillations are short-lived and rare: the triple SMBH spends around 3% of its time in this phase over the ensemble of simulations, reaching around 8% in the best-case scenario. This suggests that the role of the EKL mechanism in accelerating the SMBH merger process may have been overestimated in previous studies. We follow-up with three-body simulations, using initial conditions extracted from the simulation, and the result can to some extent repeat the observed EKL-like oscillations. This comparison provides clues about why those EKL oscillations with perturbing stars are short-lived.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

The look of high-velocity red-giant star collisions

High-velocity stellar collisions driven by a supermassive black hole (BH) or BH-driven disruptive collisions, in dense, nuclear clusters can rival the energetics of supergiant star explosions following gravitational collapse of their iron core. Here, starting from a sample of red-giant star collisions simulated with the hydrodynamics code AREPO, we generate photometric and spectroscopic observables using the nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium time-dependent radiative transfer code CMFGEN. Collisions from more extended giants or stronger collisions (higher velocity or smaller impact parameter) yield bolometric luminosities on the order of 1e43 erg/s at 1d, evolving on a timescale of a week to a bright plateau at ~1e41 erg/s, before plunging precipitously after 20-40d at the end of the optically-thick phase. This luminosity falls primarily in the UV in the first days, thus when it is at its maximum, and shifts to the optical thereafter. Collisions at lower velocity or from less extended stars produce ejecta that are fainter but may remain optically thick for up to 40d if they have a small expansion rate. These collision debris show a similar spectral evolution as that observed or modeled for blue-supergiant star explosions of massive stars, differing only in the more rapid transition to the nebular phase. Such BH-driven disruptive collisions should be detectable by high-cadence surveys in the UV like ULTRASAT.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Massive Black Hole Binaries as LISA Precursors in the Roman High Latitude Time Domain Survey

With its capacity to observe $\sim 10^{5-6}$ faint active galactic nuclei (AGN) out to redshift $z\approx 6$, Roman is poised to reveal a population of $10^{4-6}\, {\rm M_\odot}$ black holes during an epoch of vigorous galaxy assembly. By measuring the light curves of a subset of these AGN and looking for periodicity, Roman can identify several hundred massive black hole binaries (MBHBs) with 5-12 day orbital periods, which emit copious gravitational radiation and will inevitably merge on timescales of $10^{3-5}$ years. During the last few months of their merger, such binaries are observable with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a joint ESA/NASA gravitational wave mission set to launch in the mid-2030s. Roman can thus find LISA precursors, provide uniquely robust constraints on the LISA source population, help identify the host galaxies of LISA mergers, and unlock the potential of multi-messenger astrophysics with massive black hole binaries.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Monte-Carlo Stellar Dynamics near Massive Black Holes: Two-dimensional Fokker-Planck solutions of multiple mass components

In this study we present a novel Monte-Carlo code, referred to as GNC, which enables the investigation of dynamical relaxation in clusters comprising multiple mass components in the vicinity of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. Our method is based on two-dimensional Fokker-Planck equations in the energy and angular momentum space, and allows the evolution of multiple mass components, including stars and compact objects. The code demonstrates remarkable flexibility to incorporate additional complex dynamics, such as resonant relaxations and gravitational wave orbital decay. By employing a weighting method, we effectively enhance the statistical accuracy of rare particle results. In this initial publication, we present the fundamental version of our method, focusing on two-body relaxations and loss cone effects. Through comparisons with previous studies, we establish consistent outcomes in terms of relaxation processes, energy and angular momentum distributions, density profiles, and loss cone consumption rates. We consistently observe the development of tangential anisotropy within the cluster, while the outer regions tend to retain near-isotropic characteristics. Moving forward, GNC holds great promise for exploring a wide range of intriguing phenomena within galactic nuclei, in particular relativistic stellar dynamics, providing detailed and insightful outcomes.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Astrophysics with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be a transformative experiment for gravitational wave astronomy, and, as such, it will offer unique opportunities to address many key astrophysical questions in a completely novel way. The synergy with ground-based and space-born instruments in the electromagnetic domain, by enabling multi-messenger observations, will add further to the discovery potential of LISA. The next decade is crucial to prepare the astrophysical community for LISA's first observations. This review outlines the extensive landscape of astrophysical theory, numerical simulations, and astronomical observations that are instrumental for modeling and interpreting the upcoming LISA datastream. To this aim, the current knowledge in three main source classes for LISA is reviewed; ultracompact stellar-mass binaries, massive black hole binaries, and extreme or intermediate mass ratio inspirals. The relevant astrophysical processes and the established modeling techniques are summarized. Likewise, open issues and gaps in our understanding of these sources are highlighted, along with an indication of how LISA could help making progress in the different areas. New research avenues that LISA itself, or its joint exploitation with upcoming studies in the electromagnetic domain, will enable, are also illustrated. Improvements in modeling and analysis approaches, such as the combination of numerical simulations and modern data science techniques, are discussed. This review is intended to be a starting point for using LISA as a new discovery tool for understanding our Universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Transient stellar collisions as multimessenger probes: Non-thermal-, gravitational wave emission and the cosmic ladder argument

In dense stellar clusters like galactic nuclei and globular clusters stellar densities are so high that stars might physically collide with each other. In galactic nuclei the energy and power output can be close, and even exceed, to those from supernovae events. We address the event rate and the electromagnetic characteristics of collisions of main sequence stars (MS) and red giants (RG). We also investigate the case in which the cores form a binary and emit gravitational waves. In the case of RGs this is particularly interesting because the cores are degenerate. We find that MS event rate can be as high as tens per year, and that of RGs one order of magnitude larger. The collisions are powerful enough to mimic supernovae- or tidal disruptions events. We find Zwicky Transient Facility observational data which seem to exhibit the features we describe. The cores embedded in the gaseous debris experience a friction force which has an impact on the chirping mass of the gravitational wave. As a consequence, the two small cores in principle mimic two supermassive black holes merging. However, their evolution in frequency along with the precedent electromagnetic burst and the ulterior afterglow are efficient tools to reveal the impostors. In the particular case of RGs, we derive the properties of the degenerate He cores and their H-burning shells to analyse the formation of the binaries. The merger is such that it can be misclassified with SN Ia events. Because the masses and densities of the cores are so dissimilar in values depending on their evolutionary stage, the argument about standard candles and cosmic ladder should be re-evaluated.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Intermediate-mass ratio inspirals in merging elliptical galaxies

Close encounters between two initially unbound objects can result in a binary system if enough energy is released as gravitational waves (GWs). We address the scenario in which such encounters occur in merging elliptical galaxies. There is evidence that elliptical galaxies can harbor intermediate-mass black holes. Therefore, these systems are potentially the breeding grounds of sources of gravitational waves corresponding to inspiraling compact objects onto a massive black hole due to the dynamics, the large densities, and the number of compact remnants they contain. We show that this process is efficient for intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) with masses ranging from M $\in (10^3,10^5)$ M$_{\odot}$ and results in the formation of intermediate mass-ratio inspirals (IMRIs). We consider a set of IMBHs and smaller black holes with masses $m_2 \in (10,10^3)$ M$_{\odot}$ to estimate the IMRI formation rate. We find rates ranging between 10$^{-8}$ yr$^{-1}$, and 10$^{-5}$ yr$^{-1}$, and the IMRI formation rate per comoving volume in merging galaxies as a function of the redshift. The peak frequencies of the gravitational radiation emitted when these IMRIs are formed are within the detection band of space-borne detectors such as LISA and TianQin; taking into account the observable volume of these detectors, the total amount of IMRI detections per year is significant.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

Curvature conditions for spatial isotropy

In the context of mathematical cosmology, the study of necessary and sufficient conditions for a semi-Riemannian manifold to be a (generalised) Robertson-Walker space-time is important. In particular, it is a requirement for the development of initial data to reproduce or approximate the standard cosmological model. Usually these conditions involve the Einstein field equations, which change if one considers alternative theories of gravity or if the coupling matter fields change. Therefore, the derivation of conditions which do not depend on the field equations is an advantage. In this work we present a geometric derivation of such a condition. We require the existence of a unit vector field to distinguish at each point of space two (non-equal) sectional curvatures. This is equivalent for the Riemann tensor to adopt a specific form. Our geometrical approach yields a local isometry between the space and a Robertson-Walker space of the same dimension, curvature and metric tensor sign (the dimension of the largest subspace on which the metric tensor is negative definite). Remarkably, if the space is simply-connected, the isometry is global. Our result generalize to a class of spaces of non-constant curvature the theorem that spaces of the same constant curvature, dimension and metric tensor sign must be locally isometric. Because we do not make any assumptions regarding field equations, matter fields or metric tensor sign, one can readily use this result to study cosmological models within alternative theories of gravity or with different matter fields.

math.DG↗