arXiv subjects

Saeed Fakhry

Publications and source records attributed to Saeed Fakhry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Primordial Black Hole Seeds for Little Red Dots in $f(R)$ Gravity

The discovery by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) of an abundant population of compact little red dots (LRDs) and supermassive black holes at high redshifts poses a severe timing challenge for standard Eddington-limited growth from stellar remnants. In this work, we present a unified hybrid assembly framework in which intermediate-mass seed black holes are formed via hierarchical primordial black hole (PBH) mergers within dense clusters in Hu-Sawicki $f(R)$ gravity, followed by galactic gas accretion. We demonstrate that the screened $f(R)$ fifth force nonlinearly accelerates early seed formation through a quadratic enhancement of the gravitational-wave radiation-capture kernel, while environmental chameleon screening dynamically self-regulates the growth. Because subsequent gas accretion scales multiplicatively with seed mass, the $f(R)$ seed enhancement is preserved throughout the accretion history, drastically reducing the time-averaged Eddington ratios required to assemble $10^{6}\text{-}10^{9}\,M_{\odot}$ LRDs by cosmic dawn. Confronting our active mass functions with JWST data reveals that a small clustered PBH fraction ($f_{\rm PBH} \lesssim 10^{-3}$) under a realistic active galactic nucleus duty cycle ($\delta \approx 10^{-2}$) naturally matches observed LRD space densities at $z \sim 5.5\text{-}6.5$ while remaining fully compliant with LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA limits, with modified gravity naturally driving the high-mass tail. Finally, we show that parameter degeneracies between modified gravity and cluster density can be cleanly broken by combining three multi-messenger diagnostics: remnant spin state signatures, a stochastic GW background cutoff, and a scale-dependent inversion in the PBH spatial correlation function.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Dark-to-black super-accretion as a spin-imprinting mechanism for supermassive Kerr black holes

The existence of supermassive black holes with masses $M\gtrsim10^9\,M_{\odot}$ and large dimensionless spins $\chi\sim0.9-0.99$ at high redshift remains a challenge to our understanding of the early Universe. In this work, we study the adiabatic co-evolution of a Kerr black hole seed surrounded by two ultralight scalar dark matter clouds occupying different bound states, and show that this configuration allows the black hole to grow into the supermassive mass range while imprinting a characteristic final spin. The evolution proceeds through two stages. During the first stage, a spherical cloud described by the $\ell=0$ mode is completely depleted through a runaway dark-to-black accretion mechanism on a timescale of hundreds of millions of years for boson masses $\mu\sim10^{-18}-10^{-17}\,\mathrm{eV}$. Since the accreted material does not carry angular momentum, the black hole spin is universally driven to $\chi\simeq0$, independently of its initial spin. Throughout this stage, the second cloud, described by the $\ell=m=1$ mode, remains in the superradiant regime with negligible evolution. However, once the first stage is completed, this cloud transitions to the accreting regime, rapidly transferring both mass and angular momentum to the black hole. Starting from $\chi\simeq0$, the black hole spin increases until the evolution self-consistently saturates close to the threshold $\chi_{\rm sat}$, defined by the condition $\Omega_H(\chi_{\rm sat})=\mu$, on an e-folding timescale of thousands of years, orders of magnitude shorter than the first stage. This final saturation spin is largely independent of both the initial black hole spin and the mass of the secondary cloud, providing a spin-imprinting mechanism in which the primordial spin is first erased by spherical accretion and then reset to a value determined only by the boson mass and the final black hole mass.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

Cosmological Inflation in f(R,T) Gravity with Chern-Simons Correction

We investigate cosmological inflation within the framework of a linear form of f (R, T ) gravity that incorporates an inflaton scalar field augmented by a Chern-Simons correction induced by aspects of quantum gravity. Utilizing the FLRW metric, we derive the modified Friedmann equations under the slow-roll approximations. We consider two specific forms of the Chern-Simons coupling function, trigonometric and exponential, each paired with the choice of an inflaton potential. Then, we define the essential slow-roll parameters and acquire their required expressions in the proposed model. Subsequently, we compute the scalar spectral index, the tensor spectral index, and the tensor-to- scalar ratio. By adequately constraining the free parameters, the proposed model provides accurate predictions for these inflationary observables that are in good agreement with the Planck 2018 data. Furthermore, the model predictions for the Chern-Simons exponential coupling function impose a stronger limit on the value of the tensor-to-scalar ratio and also provide good agreement with the joint Planck, BK15 and BAO data. Meanwhile, for comparative analysis and better comparison of the model motivations, we also examine the model without the Chern-Simons correction, without the linear form of f (R, T ) gravity, and with a non-linear form of f (R, T ) gravity. As a general conclusion, the obtained findings indicate that the inclusion of the Chern-Simons correction approximately refines the values of the tensor spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio in the context of the linear form of f (R, T ) gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Rotating Fermion-Boson Stars in $R$-squared Gravity

Fermion-boson stars are compact equilibrium configurations composed of ordinary fermionic matter and a bosonic dark component interacting only through gravity. Such systems provide a natural framework for exploring deviations from standard neutron-star models, including the possible accumulation of dark matter inside neutron stars, and may be relevant for compact objects near the low-mass black-hole gap. We construct static and uniformly rotating fermion-boson stars within the framework of $R$-squared $f(R)$ gravity, characterized by the functional form $f(R)=R+aR^{2}$, where $a$ is a positive parameter governing the effective mass scale from the scalar degree of freedom. The fermionic sector is modeled as a perfect fluid described by a tabulated equation of state at zero temperature, while the bosonic component is represented by a self-interacting complex bosonic field. Our results show that the scalar degree of freedom modifies the spatial distribution of both the bosonic field and the fermionic pressure, enlarges the domain of admissible equilibrium solutions, and increases the maximum supported masses relative to general relativity. Our models remain compatible with current astrophysical and gravitational-wave constraints, suggesting that fermion-boson stars in $R$-squared gravity offer a promising framework to investigate the combined effects of dark bosonic matter, rotation, and strong-field modifications of gravity in compact objects.

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arXiv2026

Luminosity-Temperature Relation as a Probe for Modified Gravity

We investigate the luminosity-temperature ($L$-$T$) relation of galaxy clusters as a probe for testing modified gravity (MG) theories, focusing on $f(R)$ gravity and symmetron models. Using an improved semi-analytic framework that incorporates angular momentum acquisition, dynamical friction, and shock heating within the modified punctuated equilibrium model, we compare predictions against hydrodynamical simulations and observational data. While massive clusters remain largely screened and follow standard $\Lambda$CDM predictions, low-mass systems ($kT \lesssim 1-2$ keV) exhibit systematic deviations characterized by steeper $L$-$T$ slopes in MG scenarios. Crucially, we demonstrate that these signatures cannot be mimicked by conventional astrophysical processes such as feedback or angular momentum effects, which primarily affect normalization rather than curvature. Our results establish the $L$-$T$ relation as a robust diagnostic tool for distinguishing general relativity from screened MG theories, with the strongest discriminatory power emerging at group scales accessible to current and future X-ray surveys. Moreover, a normalized reduced $\chi^2$ analysis of the $L$-$T$ relation shows that MG models provide significantly better agreement with observational data than $\Lambda$CDM, with several realizations achieving excellent fits while the $\Lambda$CDM model consistently performs worst.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Cosmological Inflation in $f(Q,\mathcal{L}_{m})$ Gravity

Cosmological inflation remains a key paradigm for explaining the earliest stages of the Universe, yet the theoretical limitations of General Relativity (GR) motivate the development of alternative formulations capable of addressing both early and late cosmic acceleration. In this work, we investigate cosmological inflation within the $f(Q,\mathcal{L}_{m})$ gravity framework based on symmetric teleparallel geometry, where the non-metricity scalar $Q$ couples directly to the matter Lagrangian. We formulate the slow-roll dynamics and derive analytical predictions for the scalar spectral index $n_{s}$ and tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$ in both linear and nonlinear non-minimal coupling models, assuming a power-law inflaton potential. Our findings show that the linear case, $f(Q,\mathcal{L}_{m})=-\alpha Q + 2\mathcal{L}_{m}+\beta$, becomes compatible with Planck+BK15+BAO constraints for positive $\alpha$ and $\beta$, producing narrow viable contours in parameter space. In contrast, the nonlinear model, $f(Q,\mathcal{L}_{m})=-\alpha Q+(2\mathcal{L}_{m})^{2}+\beta$, achieves observational viability only for negative $\alpha$ and $\beta$, and its predictions predominantly fall inside the $68\%$ confidence region of joint data. These results demonstrate that $f(Q,\mathcal{L}_{m})$ gravity produces distinct inflationary regimes, providing a highly competitive alternative to GR.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Dynamical friction shear and rotation in Chaplygin cosmology

In this study, we build upon the findings of Del Popolo et al. (2013) by further analyzing the influence of dynamical friction on the evolution of cosmological perturbations within the framework of the spherical collapse model (SCM) in a Universe dominated by generalized Chaplygin gas (GCG). Specifically, we investigate how dynamical friction alters the growth rate of density perturbations, the effective sound speed, the equation-of-state parameter www, and the evolution of the cosmic expansion rate. Our results demonstrate that dynamical friction significantly delays the collapse process compared to the standard SCM. Accurate computation of these parameters is crucial for obtaining consistent results and reliable physical interpretations when employing the GCG model. Furthermore, our analysis confirms that the suppression of perturbation growth due to dynamical friction is considerably more pronounced than that caused by shear and rotation, as previously indicated by Del Popolo et al. (2013). This enhanced suppression effectively addresses the instability issues, such as oscillations or exponential divergences in the dark-matter power spectrum, highlighted in linear perturbation studies, such as those by Sandvik et al. (2004).

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Matching JWST UV Luminosity Functions with Refined $\Lambda$CDM Halo Models

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled a population of unexpectedly massive and luminous galaxies at redshifts $z \gtrsim 7$, posing a significant challenge to the standard $\Lambda$CDM cosmological paradigm. In this work, we address the tension between early JWST observations of luminous high-redshift galaxies and predictions of the standard $\Lambda$CDM model by revisiting the physics of dark matter halo formation. Employing refined halo mass functions derived by Del Popolo \textit{et al.} (DP1 and DP2) that incorporate angular momentum, dynamical friction, and redshift-dependent collapse barriers, we demonstrate a significant enhancement in the abundance of massive halos at $z \gtrsim 7$ compared to the conventional Sheth-Tormen (ST) formalism. Using a semi-empirical framework linking halo mass to UV luminosity, we show that the DP2 model reproduces the observed UV luminosity functions from $z = 7$ to $14$ with moderate star formation efficiencies, whereas the ST model requires implausibly high efficiencies. Our results suggest that the JWST overabundance problem stems not from new physics beyond $\Lambda$CDM, but from oversimplified treatments of gravitational collapse, highlighting the critical role of small-scale dissipative dynamics in early structure formation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

High-redshift Galaxies from JWST Observations in More Realistic Dark Matter Halo Models

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled unexpectedly massive galaxy candidates at high redshifts, challenging standard $\Lambda$CDM cosmological predictions. In this work, we study the predictions of more realistic dark matter halo models combined with modified matter power spectra for interpreting JWST observations of high-redshift galaxies. We employ three halo mass functions: the conventional Sheth-Tormen (ST) model and two physically motivated alternatives introduced by Del Popolo (DP1 and DP2). Our analysis of cumulative stellar mass densities at $z \simeq 8$--$10$ reveals that the standard ST mass function systematically underpredicts JWST observations, achieving marginal consistency only with high star formation efficiencies. In contrast, the DP1 and DP2 models demonstrate significantly improved agreement with observations even within standard $\Lambda$CDM, with statistical consistency within $1$--$2\sigma$ for moderate star formation efficiencies. When combined with modified power spectra, these refined halo models achieve suitable agreement with JWST data across broad parameter ranges, particularly for steeper spectral indices that amplify high-mass halo formation. Crucially, we find that moderate star formation efficiencies coupled with small-scale power enhancements provide robust reconciliation between theory and observations, eliminating the need for extreme astrophysical assumptions. Our results demonstrate that incorporating realistic halo collapse physics, often neglected in standard analyses, can substantially alleviate apparent tensions between JWST observations and $\Lambda$CDM predictions, highlighting the critical importance of small-scale structure formation physics in early cosmic epochs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Ultradense Dark Matter Halos with Poisson Noise from Stellar-Mass Primordial Black Holes

In this work, we investigate the impact of Poisson noise from stellar-mass primordial black holes (PBHs) on the formation of ultradense dark matter halos (UDMHs). Our findings reveal that the discrete spatial distribution of PBHs significantly enhances small-scale density fluctuations, particularly for massive stellar-mass PBHs. Our results indicate that the modified power spectrum, incorporating both adiabatic and isocurvature contributions from PBH-induced Poisson noise, strongly depends on PBH mass and fraction. Specifically, increasing PBH mass shifts the differential mass function of UDMHs toward higher masses, while variations in the suppression parameter $n$ modulate the efficiency of UDMH formation at small scales. For lower values of $n$, our findings show a significant boost in UDMH abundance, favoring multi-component dark matter scenarios. Conversely, at higher values of $n$, the predicted UDMH distributions align more closely with single-component models dominated by stellar-mass PBHs. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrates that more realistic halo mass functions, which account for angular momentum and dynamical friction, consistently predict higher UDMH abundances compared to traditional Press-Schechter formalism.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Toward Gravitational Lensing in Modified Theories of Gravity

In this study, we investigate gravitational lensing within modified gravity frameworks, focusing on the Hu-Sawicki $f(R)$ and normal branch Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (nDGP) models, and we compare these results with those obtained from general relativity (GR). Our results reveal that both modified gravity models consistently enhance key lensing parameters relative to GR, including the Einstein radius, lensing optical depth, and time delays. Notably, we find that the Hu-Sawicki $f(R)$ and nDGP models yield significantly larger Einstein radii and higher lensing probabilities, especially at greater redshifts, indicating an increased likelihood of lensing events under modified gravity. Our analysis of time delays further shows that the broader mass distributions in these frameworks lead to pronounced differences in high-mass lens systems, providing potential observational markers of modified gravity. Additionally, we observe amplified magnification factors in wave optics regimes, highlighting the potential for gravitational wave (GW) lensing to differentiate modified gravity effects from GR predictions. Through these findings, we propose modified gravity theories as compelling alternatives to GR in explaining cosmic phenomena, with promising implications for future high-precision gravitational lensing surveys.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Compact Binary Merger Rate with Modified Gravity in Dark-Matter Spikes

In this study, we investigate the impact of modified gravity on the merger rate of compact binaries within dark-matter spikes surrounding super-massive black holes (SMBHs). Specifically, we calculate binary merger rates involving primordial black holes (PBHs) and/or neutron stars (NSs) in Hu-Sawicki $f(R)$ gravity and the normal branch of Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (nDGP) gravity, with three SMBH mass functions, Benson, Vika, and Shankar. The results show consistently higher merger rates predicted for PBH-PBH and PBH-NS binaries in these gravity models compared to general relativity (GR), in particular at lower SMBH masses and for steeper dark-matter spike density profiles. The predicted merger rates are compared to the LIGO-Virgo observations to constrain the parameters of the theory. In particular we find steeper dark-matter spike density profiles in the modified gravity scenarios compared to GR. When compared to current observational constraints on PBH abundance, the mass ranges allowed by Hu-Sawicki $f(R)$ models are found to be wider than by nDGP models, for given merger rates. The results are highly dependent on the choice of SMBH mass function, with Vika and Shankar mass functions predicting lower abundances. The considerable sensitivity of the results on the assumed gravity scenario and SMBH mass function demonstrates the necessity of incorporating the corresponding theoretical uncertainties in making relatively robust predictions on compact binary merger rates and, as a result on PBH properties.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Gravitational Lensing in More Realistic Dark Matter Halo Models

In this study, we explore gravitational lensing using more realistic dark matter halo models, moving beyond the limitations of spherical-collapse approximations. Through analytical calculations employing various mass functions, we address critical factors often neglected in the standard Press-Schechter formalism, such as ellipsoidal collapse conditions, angular momentum dynamics, dynamical friction, and the cosmological constant. Our analysis incorporates two widely recognized halo density profiles, the Navarro-Frenk-White and Einasto profiles considering both spherical and ellipsoidal-collapse scenarios. We provide detailed calculations of key gravitational lensing observables, including Einstein radii, lensing optical depths, and time delays, across a broad range of redshifts and masses using two different lensing models: the point mass and singular isothermal sphere (SIS) models. Our results show that using more realistic dark matter halo models enhances lensing effects compared to their spherical-collapse counterparts. Additionally, our analyses of lensing optical depths and time delays reveal distinct differences between the point mass and SIS lens models. These findings underscore the importance of using realistic halo descriptions instead of simplified approximations when modeling gravitational lensing, as this approach can more accurately capture the complex structures of dark matter.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Primordial Black Hole-Neutron Star Merger Rate in Modified Gravity

In this work we investigate the merger rate of primordial black hole-neutron star (PBH-NS) binaries in two widely-studied modified gravity (MG) models: Hu-Sawicki $f(R)$ gravity and the normal branch of Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (nDGP) gravity. In our analysis, we take into account the effects of MG on the halo properties including halo mass function, halo concentration parameter, halo density profile, and velocity dispersion of dark matter particles. We find that these MG models, due to their stronger gravitational field induced by an effective fifth force, predict enhanced merger rates compared to general relativity. This enhancement is found to be redshift-dependent and sensitive to model parameters, PBH mass and fraction. Assuming PBH mass range of $5-50 M_{\odot}$, we compare the predicted merger rate of PBH-NS binaries with those inferred from LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA observations of gravitational waves (GWs). We find that the merger rates obtained from MG models will be consistent with the GW observations, if the abundance of PBHs is relatively large, with the exact amount depending on the MG model and its parameter values, as well as PBH mass. We also establish upper limits on the abundance of PBHs in these MG frameworks while comparing with the existing non-GW constraints, which can potentially impose even more stringent constraints.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Toward More Realistic Mass Functions For Ultradense Dark Matter Halos

Ultradense dark matter halos (UDMHs) are high concentrations of dark matter, assumed to have formed deep in the radiation-dominated era from amplified primordial perturbations. In this work we improve the previous works for the calculation of UDMH abundance by elaborating on the formation process of these halos by including various physical and geometrical modifications in the analysis. In particular, we investigate the impact of angular momentum, dynamical friction and triaxial collapse on the predicted mass functions for UDMHs. We perform the calculations for four primordial power spectra with different amplified features that allow for primordial black hole and UDHM formation in wide and narrow mass ranges. We also apply this analysis in the context of two possible scenarios for dark matter: the single-component and the multi-component. We find that the abundance of UDMHs is prominently enhanced in the presence of these more realistic mass functions.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Primordial Black Hole Merger Rate in $f(R)$ Gravity

Primordial black holes (PBHs) are known as one of the potential candidates for dark matter. They are expected to have formed due to the direct gravitational collapse of density fluctuations in the early Universe. Therefore, the study of the merger rate of PBHs in modified theories of gravity can provide more detailed information about their abundance. In this work, we delve into the calculation of the merger rate of PBHs within the theoretical framework of $f(R)$ gravity. Our analysis reveals an enhancement in the merger rate of PBHs compared to that obtained from general relativity (GR). Additionally, modulating the field strength $f_{R0}$ induces shifts in the PBH merger rate, presenting a potential observational signature of modified gravity. We also find that the total merger rate of PBHs will be consistent with the merger rate of black holes estimated by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)-Virgo-KAGRA detectors if $f_{PBH}\gtrsim 0.1$. While further improvements might be required, relative enhancement of the merger rate of PBHs in the framework of $f(R)$ gravity and its consistency with gravitational wave data underscore the importance of employing modified theories of gravity to examine diverse scenarios related to the formation of black holes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

On the effect of angular momentum on the prompt cusp formation via the gravitational collapse

In this work, we extend the model proposed by White concerning the post-collapse evolution of density peaks while considering the role of angular momentum. On a timescale smaller than the peak collapse, $t_{0}$, the inner regions of the peak reach the equilibrium forming a cuspy profile, as in White's paper, but the power-law density profile is flatter, namely $ρ\propto r^{-1.52}$, using the specific angular momentum $J$ obtained in theoretical models of how it evolves in CDM universes, namely $J \propto M^{2/3}$. The previous result shows how angular momentum influences the slope of the density profile, and how a slightly flatter profile obtained in high-resolution numerical simulations, namely $ρ\propto r^α$, $(α\simeq -1.5)$ can be reobtained. Similarly to simulations, in our model adiabatic contraction was not taken into account. This means that more comprehensive simulations could give different values for the slope of the density profile, similar to an improvement of our model.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

On the Merger Rate of Primordial Black Holes in Cosmic Voids

Cosmic voids are known as underdense substructures of the cosmic web that cover a large volume of the Universe. It is known that cosmic voids contain a small number of dark matter halos, so the existence of primordial black holes (PBHs) in these secluded regions of the Universe is not unlikely. In this work, we calculate the merger rate of PBHs in dark matter halos structured in cosmic voids and determine their contribution to gravitational wave events resulting from black hole mergers recorded by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (aLIGO)-Advanced Virgo (aVirgo) detectors. Relying on the PBH scenario, the results of our analysis indicate that about $2 \sim 3$ annual events of binary black hole mergers out of all those recorded by the aLIGO-aVirgo detectors should belong to cosmic voids. We also calculate the redshift evolution of the merger rate of PBHs in cosmic voids. The results show that the evolution of the merger rate of PBHs has minimum sensitivity to the redshift changes, which seems reasonable while considering the evolution of cosmic voids. Finally, we specify the behavior of the merger rate of PBHs as a function of their mass and fraction in cosmic voids and we estimate $\mathcal{R} (M_{PBH}, f_{PBH})$ relation, which is well compatible with our findings.

astro-ph.CO↗