arXiv subjects

S. Shankaranarayanan

Publications and source records attributed to S. Shankaranarayanan.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Inflation with $f(R,ϕ)$ in Jordan frame

We consider an $f(R)$ action that is non-minimally coupled to a massive scalar field. The model closely resembles scalar-tensor theory and by conformal transformation can be transformed to Einstein frame. To avoid the ambiguity of the frame dependence, we obtain an exact analytical solution in Jordan frame and show that the model leads to a period of accelerated expansion with an exit. Further, we compute the scalar and tensor power spectrum for the model and compare them with observations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Is there an upper bound on the size of a black-hole?

According to the third law of Thermodynamics, it takes an infinite number of steps for any object, including black-holes, to reach zero temperature. For any physical system, the process of cooling to absolute zero corresponds to erasing information or generating pure states. In contrast with the ordinary matter, the black-hole temperature can be lowered only by adding matter-energy into it. However, it is impossible to remove the statistical fluctuations of the infalling matter-energy. The fluctuations lead to the fact the black-holes have a finite lower temperature and, hence, an upper bound on the horizon radius. We make an estimate of the upper bound for the horizon radius which is curiosly comparable to Hubble horizon. We compare this bound with known results and discuss its implications.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Vector Galileon and inflationary magnetogenesis

Cosmological inflation provides the initial conditions for the structure formation. However, the origin of large-scale magnetic fields cannot be addressed in this framework. The key issue for this long-standing problem is the conformal invariance of the electromagnetic (EM) field in 4-D. While many approaches have been proposed in the literature for breaking conformal invariance of the EM action, here, we provide a completely new way of looking at the modifications to the EM action and generation of primordial magnetic fields during inflation. We explicitly construct a higher derivative EM action that breaks conformal invariance by demanding three conditions - theory be described by vector potential $A_μ$ and its derivatives, Gauge invariance be satisfied, and equations of motion be linear in second derivatives of vector potential. The unique feature of our model is that appreciable magnetic fields are generated at small wavelengths while tiny magnetic fields are generated at large wavelengths that are consistent with current observations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2018

Generalized thermalization for integrable system under quantum quench

We investigate equilibration and generalized thermalization of the quantum Harmonic chain under local quantum quench. The quench action we consider is connecting two disjoint harmonic chains of different sizes and the system jumps between two integrable settings. We verify the validity of the Generalized Gibbs Ensemble description for this infinite dimensional Hilbert space system and also identify equilibration between the subsystems as in classical systems. Using Bogoliubov transformations, we show that the eigenstates of the system prior to the quench evolve towards the Gibbs Generalized Ensemble description. Eigenstates that are more delocalized (in the sense of inverse participation ratio) prior to the quench, tend to equilibrate more rapidly. Further, through the phase space properties of a Generalized Gibbs Ensemble and the strength of stimulated emission, we identify the necessary criterion on the initial states for such relaxation at late times and also find out the states which would potentially not be described by the Gibbs Generalized Ensemble description.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Evidence of quantum phase transition in real-space vacuum entanglement of higher derivative scalar quantum field theories

In a bipartite set-up, the vacuum state of a free Bosonic scalar field is entangled in real space and satisfies the area-law--- entanglement entropy scales linearly with area of the boundary between the two partitions. In this work, we show that the area law is violated in two spatial dimensional model Hamiltonian having dynamical critical exponent z=3. The model physically corresponds to next-to-next-to-next nearest neighbour coupling terms on a lattice. The result reported here is the first of its kind of violation of area law in Bosonic systems in higher dimensions and signals the evidence of a quantum phase transition. We provide evidence for quantum phase transition both numerically and analytically using quantum Information tools like entanglement spectra, quantum fidelity, and gap in the energy spectra. We identify the cause for this transition due to the accumulation of large number of angular zero modes around the critical point which catalyses the change in the ground state wave function due to the next-to-next-to-next nearest neighbor coupling. Lastly, using Hubbard-Stratanovich transformation, we show that the effective Bosonic Hamiltonian can be obtained from an interacting fermionic theory and provide possible implications for condensed matter systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Black-hole event horizons-Teleology and Predictivity

General Relativity predicts the existence of black-holes. Access to the complete space-time manifold is required to describe the black-hole. This feature necessitates that black-hole dynamics is specified by future or teleological boundary condition. Here we demonstrate that the statistical mechanical description of black-holes, the raison d'etre behind the existence of black-hole thermodynamics, requires teleological boundary condition. Within the fluid-gravity paradigm --- Einstein's equations when projected on space-time horizons resemble Navier-Stokes equation of a fluid --- we show that the specific heat and the coefficient of bulk viscosity of the horizon-fluid are negative only if the teleological boundary condition is taken into account. We argue that in a quantum theory of gravity, the future boundary condition plays a crucial role. We briefly discuss the possible implications of this at late stages of black-hole evaporation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Quasinormal modes as a distinguisher between general relativity and f(R) gravity

Quasi-Normal Modes (QNM) or ringdown phase of gravitational waves provide critical information about the structure of compact objects like Black Holes. Thus, QNMs can be a tool to test General Relativity (GR) and possible deviations from it. In the case of GR, it is known for a long time that a relation between two types of Black Hole perturbations: scalar (Zerilli) and vector (Regge-Wheeler), leads to an equal share of emitted gravitational energy. With the direct detection of Gravitational waves, it is now natural to ask: whether the same relation (between scalar and vector perturbations) holds for modified gravity theories? If not, whether one can use this as a way to probe deviations from General Relativity. As a first step, we show explicitly that the above relation between Regge-Wheeler and Zerilli breaks down for a general f (R) model, and hence the two perturbations do not share equal amounts of emitted gravitational energy. We discuss the implication of this imbalance on observations and the no-hair conjecture.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Role of spatial higher order derivatives in momentum space entanglement

We study the momentum space entanglement between different energy modes of interacting scalar fields propagating in general (D + 1)-dimensional flat space-time. As opposed to some of the recent works [1], we use Lorentz invariant normalized ground state to obtain the momentum space entanglement entropy. We show that the Lorenz invariant definition removes the spurious power-law behaviour obtained in the earlier works [1]. More specifically, we show that the cubic interacting scalar field in (1 + 1) dimensions leads to logarithmic divergence of the entanglement entropy and consistent with the results from real space entanglement calculations. We study the effects of the introduction of the Lorentz violating higher derivative terms in the presence of non-linear self inter- acting scalar field potential and show that the divergence structure of the entanglement entropy is improved in the presence of spatial higher derivative terms.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Negative specific heat of black-holes from Fluid-Gravity Correspondence

Black-holes in asymptotically flat space-times have negative specific heat --- they get hotter as they loose energy. A clear statistical mechanical understanding of this has remained a challenge. In this work, we address this issue using fluid-gravity correspondence which aims to associate fluid degrees of freedom to the horizon. Using linear response theory and the teleological nature of event horizon, we show explicitly that the fluctuations of the horizon-fluid lead to negative specific heat for Schwarzschild black Hole. We also point out how the specific heat can be positive for Kerr-Newman or AdS black holes. Our approach constitutes an important advance as it allows us to apply canonical ensemble approach to study thermodynamics of asymptotically flat black-hole space-times.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Hints of quantum gravity from the horizon fluid

For many years researchers have tried to glean hints about quantum gravity from black hole thermodynamics. However, black hole thermodynamics suffers from the problem of Universality --- at leading order, several approaches with different microscopic degrees of freedom lead to Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. We attempt to bypass this issue by using a minimal statistical mechanical model for the horizon fluid based on Damour-Navier-Stokes (DNS) equation. For stationary asymptotically flat black hole spacetimes in General Relativity, we show explicitly that at equilibrium the entropy of the horizon fluid is the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. Further we show that, for the bulk viscosity of the fluctuations of the horizon fluid to be identical to Damour, a confinement scale exists for these fluctuations, implying quantization of the horizon area. The implications and possible mechanisms from the fluid point of view are discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Complete Hamiltonian analysis of cosmological perturbations at all orders II: Non-canonical scalar field

In this work, we present a consistent Hamiltonian analysis of cosmological perturbations for generalized non-canonical scalar fields. In order to do so, we introduce a new phase-space variable that is uniquely defined for different non-canonical scalar fields. We also show that this is the simplest and efficient way of expressing the Hamiltonian. We extend the Hamiltonian approach of [arXiv:1512.02539] to non-canonical scalar field and obtain a new definition of speed of sound in phase-space. In order to invert generalized phase-space Hamilton's equations to Euler-Lagrange equations of motion, we prescribe a general inversion formulae and show that our approach for non-canonical scalar field is consistent. We also obtain the third and fourth order interaction Hamiltonian for generalized non-canonical scalar fields and briefly discuss the extension of our method to generalized Galilean scalar fields.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Low Scale Higgs Inflation with Gauss-Bonnet Coupling

Recent LHC data provides precise values of coupling constants of the Higgs field, however, these measurements do not determine its coupling with gravity. We explore this freedom to see whether Higgs field non-minimally coupled to Gauss-Bonnet term in 4-dimensions can lead to inflation generating the observed density fluctuations. We obtain analytical solution for this model and that the exit of inflation (with a finite number of e-folding) demands that the energy scale of inflation is close to Electro-weak scale. We compare the scalar and tensor power spectrum of our model with PLANCK data and discuss its implications.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

Statistical modeling of the fluid dual to Boulware-Deser Black hole

In this work we study the statistical and thermodynamic properties of the horizon fluid corresponding to the Boulware-Deser (BD) black hole of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity. Using mean field theory, we show explicitly that the BD fluid exhibits the coexistence of two phases, a BEC and a non-condensed phase corresponding to the Einstein term and the Gauss-Bonnet term in the gravity action, respectively. In the fluid description, the high-energy corrections associated to Gauss-Bonnet gravity are modeled as excitations of the fluid medium. We provide statistical modeling of the excited part of the fluid and explicitly show that it is characterized by a generalized dispersion relation which in $D=6$ dimensions corresponds to a non-relativistic fluid. We also shed light on the ambiguity found in the literature regarding the expression of the entropy of the horizon fluid. We provide a general prescription to obtain the entropy and show that it is indeed given by Wald entropy.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Quantum entanglement and Hawking temperature

The thermodynamic entropy of an isolated system is given by its von Neumann entropy. Over the last few years, there is an intense activity to understand thermodynamic entropy from the principles of quantum mechanics. More specifically, is there a relation between the (von Neumann) entropy of entanglement between a system and some (separate) environment is related to the thermodynamic entropy? It is difficult to obtain the relation for many body systems, hence, most of the work in the literature has focused on small number systems. In this work, we consider black-holes --- that are simple yet macroscopic systems --- and show that a direct connection could not be made between the entropy of entanglement and the Hawking temperature. In this work, within the adiabatic approximation, we explicitly show that the Hawking temperature is indeed given by the rate of change of the entropy of entanglement across a black hole's horizon with regard to the system energy. This is yet another numerical evidence to understand the key features of black hole thermodynamics from the viewpoint of quantum information theory.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

'Constraint consistency' at all orders in Cosmological perturbation theory

We study the equivalence of two - order-by-order Einstein's equation and Reduced action - approaches to cosmological perturbation theory at all orders for different models of inflation. We point out a crucial consistency check which we refer to as 'Constraint consistency' that needs to be satisfied. We propose a quick and efficient method to check the consistency for any model including modified gravity models. Our analysis points out an important feature which is crucial for inflationary model building i.e., all `constraint' inconsistent models have higher order Ostrogradsky's instabilities but the reverse is not true. In other words, one can have models with constraint lapse function and shift vector, though it may have Ostrogradsky's instabilities. We also obtain the single variable equation for non-canonical scalar field in the limit of power-law inflation for the second-order perturbed variables.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Complete Hamiltonian analysis of cosmological perturbations at all orders

In this work, we present a consistent Hamiltonian analysis of cosmological perturbations at all orders. To make the procedure transparent, we consider a simple model and resolve the `gauge-fixing' issues and extend the analysis to scalar field models and show that our approach can be applied to any order of perturbation for any first order derivative fields. In the case of Galilean scalar fields, our procedure can extract constrained relations at all orders in perturbations leading to the fact that there is no extra degrees of freedom due to the presence of higher time derivatives of the field in the Lagrangian. We compare and contrast our approach to the Lagrangian approach (Chen et al [2006]) for extracting higher order correlations and show that our approach is quick and robust and can be applied to any model of gravity and matter fields.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Fluctuations in horizon-fluid lead to negative bulk viscosity

Einstein equations projected on to a black hole horizon gives rise to Navier-Stokes equations. Horizon-fluids typically possess unusual features like negative bulk viscosity and it is not clear whether a statistical mechanical description exists for such fluids. In this work, we provide an explicit derivation of the Bulk viscosity of the horizon-fluid based on the theory of fluctuations a la Kubo. The main advantage of our approach is that our analysis remains for the most part independent of the details of the underlying microscopic theory and hence the conclusions reached here are model independent. We show that the coefficient of bulk viscosity for the horizon-fluid matches exactly with the value found from the equations of motion for the horizon-fluid.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Primordial magnetogenesis before recombination

The origin of large magnetic fields in the Universe remains currently unknown. We investigate here a mechanism before recombination based on known physics. The source of the vorticity is due to the changes in the photon distribution function caused by the fluctuations in the background photons. We show that the magnetic field generated in the MHD limit, due to the Coulomb scattering, is of the order $10^{-49}$~G on a coherence scale of 10 kpc. We explicitly show that the magnetic fields generated from this process are sustainable and are not erased by resistive diffusion. We compare the results with current observations and discuss the implications. Our seed magnetic fields are generated on small scales whereas the main mechanisms studied in the literature are on scale bigger than 1 Mpc. However, compared to more exotic theories generating seed magnetic fields on similar scales, the strength of our fields are generally smaller.

astro-ph.CO↗