arXiv subjects

Qi-Xuan Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Qi-Xuan Xu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Revisiting environmental effects on black hole quasibound-state spectra with relativistic perturbation theory

We present a relativistic framework for computing corrections to the eigenfrequency spectrum of a massive scalar field in perturbed black-hole spacetimes, including first-order shifts to decay rates and second-order mode-mixing effects. We also clarify the regime of validity of non-relativistic treatments and show that the accuracy of completeness-based descriptions is limited, highlighting the non-Hermitian nature of the spectrum. Using galactic halos and accretion disks as physically motivated perturbations, we benchmark the relativistic perturbative predictions to the eigenfrequency shifts against non-perturbative numerical solutions. We also present first-order relativistic eigenfrequency shifts induced by binary companions, whose potentially stronger impact on superradiant dynamics of massive scalar fields around spinning black holes motivates future dedicated analyses. Our results suggest that previous estimates of the termination of superradiance due to binary companions and disks should be revisited within a relativistic framework.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Resonances as signatures of scalar clouds in eccentric extreme-mass-ratio inspirals

Ultralight scalars arise naturally in many extensions to the Standard Model and are compelling dark matter candidates. Around spinning black holes, dense scalar clouds could form through the conversion of rotational energy into particles via black hole superradiance. Extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) targeted by future space-based detectors will give us unparalleled access to the environments of massive black holes, allowing us to probe the presence of scalar clouds. We consider EMRIs around a Schwarzschild black hole and show that eccentricity induces a dense sequence of resonances in the scalar fluxes near the last stable orbit. These resonances arise only in a fully relativistic treatment, as they are intrinsically tied to the splitting between the azimuthal and radial orbital frequencies in the strong-field regime. By evolving the orbits adiabatically, we show that the resulting resonant transitions substantially enhance the exchange of energy and angular momentum between the EMRI and the scalar cloud, significantly amplifying the accumulated dephasing in the gravitational waveform relative to circular motion. Our results highlight the importance of eccentricity in shaping the observational signatures of EMRIs embedded in scalar clouds.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Relativistic effects in extreme-mass-ratio inspirals within scalar clouds: Eccentric and inclined orbits

We study extreme-mass-ratio inspirals (EMRIs) evolving in a scalar cloud environment that may form through superradiant instabilities, using a fully relativistic perturbative framework that allows for eccentric and inclined orbits. EMRIs, consisting of a stellar-mass compact object inspiraling into a supermassive black hole, are key sources for space-based gravitational-wave detectors such as LISA. Previous relativistic studies of EMRIs in scalar clouds have been restricted to circular, equatorial motion. Here, instead, we focus on a Schwarzschild black hole background to incorporate eccentricity and orbital inclination. By computing the scalar energy and angular momentum scattered off to spatial infinity and absorbed at the event horizon, we show that orbital eccentricity can induce a dense spectrum of resonances near the last stable orbit, associated with strong relativistic apsidal precession. We further find that orbital inclination can significantly modify the orbital energy and angular momentum losses. In particular, we identify a critical inclination angle below which, at sufficiently small orbital radii, there is a net transfer of energy from the scalar cloud to the orbit. Moreover, for sufficiently large eccentricities, resonances associated with relativistic apsidal precession persist across the full range of inclinations, although their structure changes significantly between prograde and retrograde orbits. These results provide a foundation for future studies of EMRIs in scalar cloud environments on fully generic orbits around spinning black holes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Next-to-leading-order solution to Kerr-Newman black hole superradiance

The superradiant instabilities of Kerr-Newman black holes with charged or uncharged massive spin-0 fields are calculated analytically to the next-to-leading order in the limit of $α\sim r_g μ\ll 1$. A missing factor of $1/2$ in the previous leading-order result is identified. The next-to-leading order result has a compact form and is in good agreement with existing numerical calculations. The percentage error increases with $α$, from a few percent for $α\sim 0.1$ to about $50\%$ for $α\sim 0.4$. Massive neutral scalars too heavy to be produced with Kerr black hole superradiance may exist in the superradiant region of Kerr-Newman black holes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Improved Analytic Solution of Black Hole Superradiance

The approximate solution of the Klein-Gordon equation for a real scalar field of mass $μ$ in the geometry of a Kerr black hole obtained by Detweiler \cite{Detweiler:1980uk} is widely used in the analysis of the stability of black holes as well as the search of axion-like particles. In this work, we confirm a missing factor $1/2$ in this solution, which was first identified in Ref.~\cite{Pani:2012bp}. The corrected result has strange features that put questions on the power-counting strategy. We solve this problem by adding the next-to-leading order (NLO) contribution. Compared to the numerical results, the NLO solution reduces the percentage error of the LO solution by a factor of 2 for all important values of $r_g μ$. Especially the percentage error is $\lesssim 10\%$ in the region of $r_gμ\lesssim 0.35$. The NLO solution also has a compact form and could be used straightforwardly.

gr-qc↗