arXiv subjects

Rohta Takahashi

Publications and source records attributed to Rohta Takahashi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Diffusive or Ballistic? Distributions and Spectra of PeV Cosmic Rays around Microquasars

In the standard Galactic cosmic-ray (CR) paradigm, protons are accelerated up to ~1 PeV by Galactic sources. While supernova remnants (SNRs) have been traditionally considered as the primary accelerators, recent observations by LHAASO and HAWC have detected very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays exceeding 100 TeV from several microquasars, suggesting that these X-ray binaries can accelerate CRs beyond 1 PeV. We investigate the escape process of CRs from microquasars, focusing on the energy-dependent transport mechanisms. High-energy CRs are likely to have long mean free paths and move ballistically on scales smaller than their mean free path, while lower-energy CRs undergo diffusive propagation. This transition results in a spectral break in the CR distribution around the microquasar. We calculate CR energy spectra within a 10-30 pc radius for various diffusion coefficients and timescales. Our model predicts a spectral break and hardening at E_p ~10-100 TeV when the standard diffusion coefficient for the interstellar space is assumed. However, current VHE gamma-ray observations do not show clear spectral breaks, suggesting that the diffusion coefficient may be significantly reduced near microquasars, possibly due to magnetic field amplification by CR-driven turbulence.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Beyond Diffusion: A Causality-Preserving Model for Cosmic Ray Propagation

We propose a brand-new formalism for the propagation of relativistic cosmic ray (CR) particles. The propagation of CRs has often been described using the diffusion approximation, which has the drawback that the propagation speed of CRs near the source exceeds the speed of light. By applying the analytic solution of the time-dependent distribution function of photons propagating while undergoing scattering, which we recently proposed, we have succeeded in formulating the propagation of relativistic CRs while preserving causality. The obtained formulae give correct expressions both in the diffusion regime and the ballistic regime, as well as the transition between them. They can be applied to the propagation of PeV CRs around their sources (PeVatrons), the propagation of ultra-high energy CRs, and the description of TeV gamma-ray halos around pulsars.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

A Relativistic Formula for the Multiple Scattering of Photons

We have discovered analytical expressions for the probability density function (PDF) of photons that are multiply scattered in relativistic flows, under the assumption of isotropic and inelastic scattering. These expressions characterize the collective dynamics of these photons, ranging from free-streaming to diffusion regions. The PDF, defined within the light cone to ensure the preservation of causality, is expressed in a three-dimensional space at a constant time surface. This expression is achieved by summing the PDFs of photons that have been scattered $n$ times within four-dimensional spacetime. We have confirmed that this formulation accurately reproduces the results of relativistic Monte Carlo simulations.We found that the PDF in three-dimensional space at a constant time surface can be represented in a separable variable form. We demonstrate the behavior of the PDF in the laboratory frame across a wide range of Lorentz factors for the relativistic flow. When the Lorentz factor of the fluid is low, the behavior of scattered photons evolves sequentially from free propagation to diffusion, and then to dynamic diffusion, where the mean effective velocity of the photons equates to that of the fluid. On the other hand, when the Lorentz factor is large, the behavior evolves from anisotropic ballistic motion, characterized by a mean effective velocity approaching the speed of light, to dynamic diffusion.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

A relativistic two-stream instability in an extremely low-density plasma

A linear analysis based on two-fluid equations in the approximation of a cold plasma, wherein the plasma temperature is assumed to be zero, demonstrates that a two-stream instability occurs in all cases. However, if this were true, the drift motion of electrons in an electric current over a wire would become unstable, inducing an oscillation in an electric circuit with ions bounded around specific positions. To avoid this peculiar outcome, we must assume a warm plasma with a finite temperature when discussing the criterion of instability. The two-stream instability in warm plasmas has typically been analyzed using kinetic theory to provide a general formula for the instability criterion from the distribution function of the plasma. However, the criteria based on kinetic theory do not have an easily applicable form. Here, we provide an easily applicable criterion for the instability based on the two-fluid model at finite temperatures, extensionally in the framework of special relativity. This criterion is relevant for analyzing two-stream instabilities in low-density plasmas in the universe and in Earth-based experimental devices.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

3D Photon Conserving Code for Time-dependent General Relativistic Radiative Transfer : CARTOON

We develop the 3-dimensional general relativistic radiative transfer code: CARTOON (Calculation code of Authentic Radiative Transfer based On phOton Number conservation in curved space-time) which is improved from the 2-dimensional code: ARTIST developed by Takahashi & Umemura (2017). In CARTOON, the frequency-integrated general relativistic radiative transfer equation is solved in a photon number-conserving manner, and the isotropic and coherent scattering in the zero angular momentum observers (ZAMO) frame and the fluid rest frame is incorporated. By calculating the average energy of photons, energy conservation of the radiation is also guaranteed. With the test calculations in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional space, we have demonstrated that the wavefront propagation in black hole space-time can be correctly solved in CARTOON conserving photon numbers. The position of the wavefront coincides with the analytical solution and the number of photons remains constant until the wavefront reaches the event horizon. We also solve the radiative transfer equation on the geodesic reaching the observer's screen. The time variation of the intensity map on the observer's screen can be simultaneously and consistently calculated with the time variation of the radiation field around the black hole. In addition, the black hole shadow can be reproduced in moderately optically thin situations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Quantum Reflection and Transmission in Ring Systems with Double Y-Junctions: Occurrence of Perfect Reflection

We consider the scattering problems of a quantum particle in a system with a single Y-junction and in ring systems with double Y-junctions. We provide new formalism for such quantum mechanical problems. Based on a path integral approach, we find compact formulas for probability amplitudes in the ring systems. We also discuss quantum reflection and transmission in the ring systems under scale-invariant junction conditions. It is remarkable that perfect reflection can occur in an anti-symmetric ring system, in contrast with the one-dimensional quantum systems having singular nodes of degree 2.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Resonant Transmission in One-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics with Two Independent Point Interactions: Full Parameter Analysis

We discuss the scattering of a quantum particle by two independent successive point interactions in one dimension. The parameter space for two point interactions is given by $U(2)\times U(2)$, which is described by eight real parameters. We perform an analysis of perfect resonant transmission on the whole parameter space. By investigating the effects of the two point interactions on the scattering matrix of plane wave, we find the condition under which perfect resonant transmission occurs. We also provide the physical interpretation of the resonance condition.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Effects of Two Successive Parity-Invariant Point Interactions on One-Dimensional Quantum Transmission: Resonance Conditions for the Parameter Space

We consider the scattering of a quantum particle by two independent, successive parity-invariant point interactions in one dimension. The parameter space for the two point interactions is given by the direct product of two tori, which is described by four parameters. By investigating the effects of the two point interactions on the transmission probability of plane wave, we obtain the conditions for the parameter space under which perfect resonant transmission occur. The resonance conditions are found to be described by symmetric and anti-symmetric relations between the parameters.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Scalar field excited around a rapidly rotating black hole in Chern-Simons modified gravity

We discuss a Chern-Simons (CS) scalar field around a rapidly rotating black hole in dynamical CS modified gravity. The CS correction can be obtained perturbatively by considering the Kerr spacetime to be the background. We obtain the CS scalar field solution around the black hole analytically and numerically, assuming a stationary and axisymmetric configuration. The scalar field diverges on the inner horizon when we impose the boundary condition that the scalar field is regular on the outer horizon and vanishes at infinity. Therefore, the CS scalar field becomes problematic on the inner horizon.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

High-Angular-Resolution and High-Sensitivity Science Enabled by Beamformed ALMA

An international consortium is presently constructing a beamformer for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile that will be available as a facility instrument. The beamformer will aggregate the entire collecting area of the array into a single, very large aperture. The extraordinary sensitivity of phased ALMA, combined with the extremely fine angular resolution available on baselines to the Northern Hemisphere, will enable transformational new very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations in Bands 6 and 7 (1.3 and 0.8 mm) and provide substantial improvements to existing VLBI arrays in Bands 1 and 3 (7 and 3 mm). The ALMA beamformer will have impact on a variety of scientific topics, including accretion and outflow processes around black holes in active galactic nuclei (AGN), tests of general relativity near black holes, jet launch and collimation from AGN and microquasars, pulsar and magnetar emission processes, the chemical history of the universe and the evolution of fundamental constants across cosmic time, maser science, and astrometry.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2013

Multi-Epoch VERA Observations of Sagittarius A*: I. Images and Structural Variability

We report the results of multi-epoch observations of Sgr A* with VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) at 43 GHz, carried out from 2004 to 2008. We detected a time variation of flux at 11 % level and intrinsic size at 19 %. In addition, comparisons with previous Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) results shows that Sgr A* underwent the flaring event at least longer than 10 days in May 2007. The intrinsic size of Sgr A* remained unchanged within 1 $σ$ level from the size before/after the flaring event, indicating that the brightness temperature of Sgr A* was increased. The flaring event occurred within 31 d, which is shorter than the refractive time scale. Moreover it is difficult to explain the increase in the spectral index at the flaring event by the simple interstellar scattering model. Hence, the flaring event is most likely associated with the changes in intrinsic properties of Sgr A*. We considered the origin of the brightness temperature variation, and concluded that the flaring event of Sgr A* could be explained by the continuous heating of electrons, such as a standing shock in accretion flow.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Counter effects of meridional flows and magnetic fields in stationary axisymmetric self-gravitating barotropes under the ideal MHD approximation: clear examples - toroidal configurations

We obtain the general forms for the current density and the vorticity from the integrability conditions of the basic equations which govern the stationary states of axisymmetric magnetized self-gravitating barotropic objects with meridional flows under the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) approximation. As seen from the stationary condition equations for such bodies, the presence of the meridional flows and that of the poloidal magnetic fields act oppositely on the internal structures. The different actions of these two physical quantities, the meridional flows and the poloidal magnetic fields, could be clearly seen through stationary structures of the toroidal gaseous configurations around central point masses in the framework of Newtonian gravity because the effects of the two physical quantities can be seen in an amplified way for toroidal systems compared to those for spheroidal stars. The meridional flows make the structures more compact, i.e. the widths of toroids thinner, while the poloidal magnetic fields are apt to elongate the density contours in a certain direction depending on the situation. Therefore, the simultaneous presence of the internal flows and the magnetic fields would work as if there were no such different actions within and around the stationary gaseous objects such as axisymmetric magnetized toroids with internal motions around central compact objects under the ideal MHD approximation, although these two quantities might exist in real systems.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

Spectroscopy along Multiple, Lensed Sightlines through Outflowing Winds in the Quasar SDSS J1029+2623

We study the origin of absorption features on the blue side of the C IV broad emission line of the large-separation lensed quasar SDSS J1029+2623 at z_em ~ 2.197. The quasar images, produced by a foreground cluster of galaxies, have a maximum separation angle of ~ 22".5. The large angular separation suggests that the sight-lines to the quasar central source can go through different regions of outflowing winds from the accretion disk of the quasar, providing a unique opportunity to study the structure of outflows from the accretion disk, a key ingredient for the evolution of quasars as well as for galaxy formation and evolution. Based on medium- and high-resolution spectroscopy of the two brightest images conducted at the Subaru telescope, we find that each image has different intrinsic levels of absorptions, which can be attributed either to variability of absorption features over the time delay between the lensed images, ~ 774 days, or to the fine structure of quasar outflows probed by the multiple sight-lines toward the quasar. While both these scenarios are consistent with the current data, we argue that they can be distinguished with additional spectroscopic monitoring observations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Spacetime rotation-induced Landau quantization

We investigate non-inertial and gravitational effects on quantum states in electromagnetic fields and present the analytic solution for energy eigenstates for the Schrödinger equation including non-inertial, gravitational and electromagnetic effects. We find that in addition to the Landau quantization the rotation of spacetime itself leads to the additional quantization, and that the energy levels for an electron are different from those for a proton at the level of gravitational corrections.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Constraining the size of the dark region around the M87 black hole by space-VLBI observations

In order to examine if the next generation space VLBI,such as VSOP-2 (VLBI Space Observatory Programme-2), will make it possible to obtain direct images of the accretion flow around the M87 black hole, we calculate the expected observed images by the relativistic ray-tracing simulations under the considerations of possible observational errors. We consider various cases of electron temperature profiles, as well as a variety of the distance, mass, and spin of the M87 black hole. We find it feasible to detect an asymmetric intensity profile around the black hole caused by rapid disk rotation, as long as the electron temperature does not steeply rises towards the black hole, as was predicted by the accretion disk theory and the three dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations. Further, we can detect a deficit in the observed intensity around the black hole when the apparent size of the gravitational radius is larger than $\gtrsim 1.5 μ$ arcseconds. In the cases that the inner edge of the disk is located at the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO), moreover, even the black hole spin will be measured. We also estimate the required signal-to-noise ratio $\mathcal{R}_{\rm SN}$ for achieving the scientific goals mentioned above, finding that it should be at least 10 at 22 GHz. To conclude, direct mapping observations by the next generation space VLBI will provide us a unique opportunity to provide the best evidence for the presence of a black hole and to test the accretion disk theory.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Outflows from accreting super-spinars

In this paper we continue our study on the accretion process onto super-spinning Kerr objects with no event horizon (super-spinars). We discuss the counterpart of the Bondi accretion onto black holes. We first report the results of our numerical simulations. We found a quasi steady-state configuration for any choice of the parameters of our model. The most interesting feature is the presence of hot outflows. Unlike jets and outflows produced around black holes, which are thought to be powered by magnetic fields and emitted from the poles, here the outflows are produced by the repulsive gravitational force at a small distance from the super-spinar and are ejected around the equatorial plane. In some circumstances, the amount of matter in the outflow is considerable, which can indeed significantly reduce the gas mass accretion rate. Finally, we discuss a possible scenario of the accretion process in more realistic situations, which cannot be simulated by our code.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

Black Hole Aurora powered by a Rotating Black Hole

We present a model for high-energy emission sources generated by a standing magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) shock in a black hole magnetosphere. The black hole magnetosphere would be constructed around a black hole with an accretion disk, where a global magnetic field could be originated by currents in the accretion disk and its corona. Such a black hole magnetosphere may be considered as a model for the central engine of active galactic nuclei, some compact X-ray sources and gamma-ray bursts. The energy sources of the emission from the magnetosphere are the gravitational and electromagnetic energies of magnetized accreting matters and the rotational energy of a rotating black hole. When the MHD shock generates in MHD accretion flows onto the black hole, the plasma's kinetic energy and hole's rotational energy can convert to radiative energy. In this letter, we demonstrate the huge energy output at the shock front by showing negative energy postshock accreting MHD flows for a rapidly rotating black hole. This means that the extracted energy from the black hole can convert to the radiative energy at the MHD shock front. When axisymmetric shock front is formed, we expect a ring-shaped region with very hot plasma near the black hole; the look would be like an "aurora". The high energy radiation generated from there would carry to us the information for the curved spacetime due to the strong gravity.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Anisotropic radiation field and trapped photons around the Kerr black hole

Aims. In order to understand the anisotropic properties of local radiation field in the curved spacetime around a rotating black hole, we investigate the appearance of a black hole seen by an observer located near the black hole. When the black hole is in front of a source of illumination the black hole cast shadow in the illumination. Accordingly, the appearance of the black hole is called the black hole shadow. Methods. We first analytically describe the shape of the shadow in terms of constants of motion for a photon seen by the observer in the locally non-rotating reference frame (LNRF). Then, we newly derive the useful equation for the solid angle of the shadow. In a third step, we can easily plot the apparent image of the black hole shadow. Finally, we also calculate the ratio of the photon trapped by the hole and the escape photon to the distant region for photons emitted near the black hole. Results. From the shape and the size of the black hole shadow, we can understand the signatures of the curved spacetime; i.e., the mass and spin of the black hole. Our equations for the solid angle of the shadow has technical advantages in calculating the photon trapping ratio. That is, this equation is computationally very easy, and gives extremely precise results. This is because this equation is described by the one-parameter integration with given values of the spin and location for the black hole considered. After this, the solid angle can be obtained without numerical calculations of the null geodesics for photons.

astro-ph.HE↗