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Salvatore Capozziello

Publications and source records attributed to Salvatore Capozziello.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Resonant Graviton-Photon Conversion with Stochastic Magnetic Field in the Expanding Universe

We investigate graviton-photon oscillations sourced by cosmological magnetic fields from Gertsenshtein effect. We adopt a robust perturbative approach and we find that the conversion probability from graviton to photon can be resonantly enhanced in monochromatic, multi-chromatic and scale invariant spectrum models of stochastic magnetic field fluctuations. In addition, the expansion of the Universe acts as a decoherence factor, which demands a natural discretization scheme along the line of sight. Including also decoherence from cosmic acceleration, we find that conversion probabilities for stochastic magnetic fields are completely different than results predicted from existing magnetic domain-like models in a wide range of magnetic strengths and coherence lengths. Resonances can be tested by radio telescopes as a probe of high frequency gravitational wave sources and primordial magnetogenesis mechanisms.

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Radiative losses and radiation-reaction effects at the first post-Newtonian order in Einstein-Cartan theory

Gravitational radiation-reaction phenomena occurring in the dynamics of inspiralling compact binary systems are investigated at the first post-Newtonian order beyond the quadrupole approximation in the context of Einstein-Cartan theory, where quantum spin effects are modeled via the Weyssenhoff fluid. We exploit balance equations for the energy and angular momentum to determine the binary orbital decay until the two bodies collide. Our framework deals with both quasi-elliptic and quasi-circular trajectories, which are then smoothly connected. Key observables like the laws of variation of the orbital phase and frequency characterizing the quasi-circular motion are derived analytically. We conclude our analysis with an estimation of the spin contributions at the merger, which are examined both in the time domain and the Fourier frequency space through the stationary wave approximation.

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The Scavenger Hunt for Quasar Samples to Be Used as Cosmological Tools

Although the $Λ$ Cold Dark Matter model is the most accredited cosmological model, information at high redshifts ($z$) between type Ia supernovae ($z=2.26$) and the Cosmic Microwave Background ($z=1100$) is crucial to validate this model further. To this end, we have discovered a sample of 1132 quasars up to $z=7.54$ exhibiting a reduced intrinsic dispersion of the relation between ultraviolet and X-ray fluxes, $δ_\mathrm{F}=0.22$ vs. $δ_\mathrm{F}=0.29$ ($24\%$ less), than the original sample. This gold sample, once we correct the luminosities for selection biases and redshift evolution, enables us to determine the matter density parameter $Ω_M$ with a precision of 0.09. Unprecedentedly, this quasar sample is the only one that, as a standalone cosmological probe, yields such tight constraints on $Ω_M$ while being drawn from the same parent population of the initial sample.

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Reduced uncertainties up to 43\% on the Hubble constant and the matter density with the SNe Ia with a new statistical analysis

Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) are considered the most reliable \textit{standard candles} and they have played an invaluable role in cosmology since the discovery of the Universe's accelerated expansion. During the last decades, the SNe Ia samples have been improved in number, redshift coverage, calibration methodology, and systematics treatment. These efforts led to the most recent \textit{``Pantheon"} (2018) and \textit{``Pantheon +"} (2022) releases, which enable to constrain cosmological parameters more precisely than previous samples. In this era of precision cosmology, the community strives to find new ways to reduce uncertainties on cosmological parameters. To this end, we start our investigation even from the likelihood assumption of Gaussianity, implicitly used in this domain. Indeed, the usual practise involves constraining parameters through a Gaussian distance moduli likelihood. This method relies on the implicit assumption that the difference between the distance moduli measured and the ones expected from the cosmological model is Gaussianly distributed. In this work, we test this hypothesis for both the \textit{Pantheon} and \textit{Pantheon +} releases. We find that in both cases this requirement is not fulfilled and the actual underlying distributions are a logistic and a Student's t distribution for the \textit{Pantheon} and \textit{Pantheon +} data, respectively. When we apply these new likelihoods fitting a flat $Λ$CDM model, we significantly reduce the uncertainties on $Ω_M$ and $H_0$ of $\sim 40 \%$. This boosts the SNe Ia power in constraining cosmological parameters, thus representing a huge step forward to shed light on the current debated tensions in cosmology.

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Static and spherically symmetric wormholes in metric-affine theories of gravity

We consider static and spherically symmetric wormhole solutions in extended metric-affine theories of gravity supposing that stability and traversability of these objects can be achieved by means of the geometric degrees of freedom. In particular, we consider $f(R)$ metric, $f(T)$ teleparallel, and $f(Q)$ symmetric teleparallel models where curvature, torsion, and non-metricity rule entirely the background geometry without invoking any exotic energy-momentum tensor as matter field source. Starting from the flaring out and null energy conditions, we gather together a series of constraints which allow us to state that stable and traversable wormholes can be derived in a purely geometric approach resorting to modified gravity theories with more degrees of freedom than general relativity.

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Reconstructing the distortion function of non-local cosmology: a model-independent approach

We consider non-local modifications of General Relativity given by a distortion function in terms of the inverse of the d'Alembert operator. The inclusion of these terms is motivated by the possibility of reproducing the current accelerated expansion of the Universe starting from non-local gravity. In particular, we propose a model-independent method, based on current observations, to reconstruct the shape of the distortion function, without resorting to a specific cosmological history. We describe a numerical procedure based on Padé polynomials that allows us to study the time evolution of the auxiliary scalar fields introduced to localize non-local gravity action. Thus, adopting suitable boundary conditions, we reconstruct the form of the non-local Lagrangian and infer the best analytical approximation of the numerical outcome. Furthermore, the distortion function turns on during the matter-dominated era, and its effects are delayed to the most recent cosmic times. This provides a natural explanation for the late cosmic acceleration, avoiding any fine-tuning problem of the cosmological constant. Finally, we compare our predictions with previous findings based on enforcing the standard $Λ$CDM background in the reconstruction process.

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The role of the boundary term in $f(Q,B)$ symmetric teleparallel gravity

In the framework of metric-affine gravity, we consider the role of the boundary term in Symmetric Teleparallel Gravity assuming $f(Q,B)$ models where $f$ is a smooth function of the non-metricity scalar $Q$ and the related boundary term $B$. Starting from a variational approach, we derive the field equations and compare them with respect to those of $f(Q)$ gravity in the limit of $B\to0$. It is possible to show that $f(Q,B)=f(Q-B)$ models are dynamically equivalent to $f(R)$ gravity as in the case of teleparallel $f(\tilde{B}-T)$ gravity (where $B\neq \tilde{B}$). Furtherrmore, conservation laws are derived. In this perspective, considering boundary terms in $ f(Q)$ gravity represents the last ingredient towards the Extended Geometric Trinity of Gravity, where $f(R)$, $f(T,\tilde{B})$, and $f(Q,B)$ can be dealt with under the same standard. We also compare and discuss about the Gibbons-Hawking-York boundary term of General Relativity and the boundary term $B$ in $f(Q,B)$ gravity.

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Charged spherically symmetric black holes in scalar-tensor Gauss-Bonnet gravity

We derive a novel class of four-dimensional black hole solutions in Gauss-Bonnet gravity coupled with a scalar field in presence of Maxwell electrodynamics. In order to derive such solutions, we assume the ansatz $ g_{tt}\neq g_{rr}{}^{-1}$ for metric potentials. Due to the ansatz for the metric, the Reissner Nordström gauge potential cannot be recovered because of the presence of higher-order terms ${\cal O}\left(\frac{1}{r}\right)$ which are not allowed to be vanishing. Moreover, the scalar field is not allowed to vanish. If it vanishes, a function of the solution results undefined. For this reason, the solution cannot be reduced to a Reissner Nordström space-time in any limit. Furthermore, it is possible to show that the electric field is of higher-order in the monopole expansion: this fact explicitly comes from the contribution of the scalar field. Therefore, we can conclude that the Gauss-Bonnet scalar field acts as non-linear electrodynamics creating monopoles, quadrupoles, etc. in the metric potentials. We compute the invariants associated with the black holes and show that, when compared to Schwarzschild or Reissner-Nordström space-times, they have a soft singularity. Also, it is possible to demonstrate that these black holes give rise to three horizons in AdS space-time and two horizons in dS space-time. Finally, thermodynamic quantities can be derived and we show that the solution can be stable or unstable depending on a critical value of the temperature.

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Cosmic Growth in $f(T)$ Teleparallel Gravity

Physical evolution of cosmological models can be tested by using expansion data, while growth history of these models is capable of testing dynamics of the inhomogeneous parts of energy density. The growth factor, as well as its growth index, gives a clear indication of the performance of cosmological models in the regime of structure formation of early Universe. In this work, we explore the growth index in several leading $f(T)$ cosmological models, based on a specific class of teleparallel gravity theories. These have become prominent in the literature and lead to other formulations of teleparallel gravity. Here we adopt a generalized approach by obtaining the Mészáros equation without immediately imposing the subhorizon limit, because this assumption could lead to over-simplification. This approach gives avenue to study at which $k$ modes the subhorizon limit starts to apply. We obtain numerical results for the growth factor and growth index for a variety of data set combinations for each $f(T)$ model.

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Dark energy-matter equivalence by the evolution of cosmic equation of state

We consider a model-independent approach to constrain the equivalence redshift, $z_{eq}$, at which dark energy and the total matter (cold dark matter and baryonic) equate their magnitudes. To this aim, in the context of a homogeneous and isotropic universe, we first consider a generic model where the dark energy contribution is provided by an unknown function of barotropic fluids. Afterwards, we compute the deceleration and jerk parameters, evaluating at our epoch, namely $z=0$, and at $z=z_{eq}$. Thus, by Taylor expanding around current time the Hubble rate, luminosity and angular distances, we substitute the theoretical expressions obtained from the aforementioned generic dark energy model, defining a correspondence between quantities evaluated at $z=0$ and $z=z_{eq}$. In so doing, we directly fit these quantities by means of current data sets, involving the most recent Pantheon type Ia supernovae, baryonic acoustic oscillation and Hubble rate points. We consider two hierarchies in our fitting procedures and compare our findings in the spatially-flat universe first and including spatial curvature, later. We assess constraints on the overall equation of state of the universe and its first derivative. We compare our results with those predicted by the standard $Λ$CDM paradigm. Specifically, our findings are in agreement at the 2$σ$ confidence level, assuming a constant dark energy term. However, our analysis does not rule out the possibility of a slight evolution of dark energy, indicating a small deviation from the scenario of a pure cosmological constant. In particular, the possible departures appear consistent with a phenomenological $ω$CDM model, rather than more complicated dark energy parameterizations.

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The Gauss-Bonnet topological scalar in the Geometric Trinity of Gravity

The Gauss-Bonnet topological scalar is presented in metric-teleparallel formalism as well as in the symmetric and general teleparallel formulations. In all of the aforementioned frameworks, the full expressions are provided explicitly in terms of torsion, non-metricity and Levi-Civita covariant derivative. The number of invariant terms of this form is counted and compared with the number which can appear in the corresponding effective field theory. Although the difference in this number is not very large, it is found that the Gauss-Bonnet invariant excludes some of the effective field theory terms. This result sheds new light on how General Relativity symmetries can be maintained at higher order in teleparallel theories: this fact appears to be highly nontrivial in the teleparallel formulation. The importance of the so-called ``pseudo-invariant'' theories like $f(T)$- and $f(T,T_\mathcal{G})$-gravity is further discussed in the context of teleparallel Gauss-Bonnet gravity.

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The Noether Symmetry Approach: Foundation and applications. The case of scalar-tensor Gauss-Bonnet gravity

We sketch the main features of the Noether Symmetry Approach, a method to reduce and solve dynamics of physical systems by selecting Noether symmetries, which correspond to conserved quantities. Specifically, we take into account the vanishing Lie derivative condition for general canonical Lagrangians to select symmetries. Furthermore, we extend the prescription to the first prolongation of the Noether vector. It is possible to show that the latter application provides a general constraint on the infinitesimal generator $ξ$, related to the spacetime translations. This approach can be used for several applications. In the second part of the work, we consider a gravity theory including the coupling between a scalar field $ϕ$ and the Gauss-Bonnet topological term $\mathcal{G}$. In particular, we study a gravitational action containing the function $F(\mathcal{G}, ϕ)$ and select viable models by the existence of symmetries. Finally, we evaluate the selected models in a spatially-flat cosmological background and use symmetries to find exact solutions.

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Fluid nature constrains Horndeski gravity

The elusive physical nature of Horndeski gravity is elucidated in a new approach depicting this class of theories as a dissipative effective fluid. Requiring the constitutive equations of the latter to be those of a Newtonian fluid restricts the theory to only two disconnected subclasses of "viable" Horndeski gravity. Therefore, a stress-energy tensor of Horndeski effective fluid, linear in the first derivatives of the fluid's 4-velocity, is a sufficient condition for gravitational waves to propagate at light speed. All other Horndeski theories correspond to exotic non-Newtonian effective fluids.

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Status of the GINGER project

Large frame Ring laser gyroscopes, based on the Sagnac effect, are top sensitivity instrumentation to measure angular velocity with respect to the fixed stars. GINGER (Gyroscopes IN GEneral Relativity) project foresees the construction of an array of three large dimension ring laser gyroscopes, rigidly connected to the Earth. GINGER has the potentiality to measure general relativity effects and Lorentz Violation in the gravity sector, once a sensitivity of $10^{-9}$, or better, of the Earth rotation rate is obtained. Being attached to the Earth crust, the array will also provide useful data for geophysical investigation. For this purpose, it is at present under construction as part of the multi-components observatory called Underground Geophysics at Gran Sasso (UGSS). Sensitivity is the key point to determine the relevance of this instrument for fundamental science. The most recent progress in the sensitivity measurement, obtained on a ring laser prototype called GINGERINO, indicates that GINGER should reach the level of 1 part in $10^{11}$ of the Earth rotation rate.

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Interacting quintessence cosmology from Noether symmetries: comparing theoretical predictions with observational data

In the framework of scalar-tensor gravity, we consider non-flat interacting quintessence cosmology where a scalar field is interacting with dark matter. Such a scalar field can be a standard or a phantom one. We use the Noether Symmetry Approach to obtain general exact solutions for cosmological equations and to select scalar-field self-interaction potentials. It turns out that the found solutions can reproduce the accelerated expansion of the Universe, and are compatible with observational dataset, as the SNeIa Pantheon data, gamma ray bursts Hubble diagram, and direct measurements of the Hubble parameter.

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Minisuperspace quantum cosmology in $f(Q)$ gravity

$f(Q)$ symmetric-teleparallel gravity is considered in view of Quantum Cosmology. Specifically, we derive cosmological equations for $f(Q)$ models and then investigate the related energy conditions. In the minisuperspace formalism, the point-like $f(Q)$ Hamiltonian is taken into account. In this framework, we obtain and solve the Wheeler-De Witt equation, thus finding the Wave Function of the Universe in different cases. We show that the Hartle Criterion can be applied and classical observable universes occur.

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Apparent dark matter as a non-local manifestation of emergent gravity

We disclose a close correspondence between Verlinde's Emergent Gravity (VEG) theory and the non-local gravity theories. Such non-local effects can play crucial role at small distances as well as in large scale structures. In particular, we argue that the emergent gravity effectively is a manifestation of the entanglement entropy and can modify Newton's law of gravity as well as address the flat rotation curves of spiral galaxies. In the cosmological setup, we have considered three different models for the apparent dark matter density. In the first model, we have found that Friedmann equations get modified due to the presence of the apparent dark matter (DM) in such a way that Newton's constant of gravity shifts as $G\rightarrow G\left(1+ζ\right)$, where $ζ$ is a dimensionless small parameter. Using the flat rotating curves we estimate $ζ\sim 10^{-7}$. For such a model, we find out that by rescaling the radial coordinate, $r$, the curvature space constant, $k$, and the scale factor of the universe, $a$, the effect of apparent DM can change the geometry of the universe and can shift the curvature space constant as $k_{\star}=k (1-ζ)$. To this end, we study a more realistic model with evolving densities where we obtain the $Λ$CDM model in Verlinde's gravity and comment on the Hubble tension problem with evolving densities.

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Exploring departures from Schwarzschild black hole in $f(R)$ gravity

Different astrophysical methods can be combined to detect possible deviations from General Relativity. In this work, we consider a class of $f(R)$ gravity models selected by the existence of Noether symmetries. In this framework, it is possible to determine a set of static and spherically symmetric black hole solutions, encompassing small departures from the Schwarzschild geometry. In particular, when gravity is the only dominating interaction, we exploit the ray-tracing technique to reconstruct the image of a black hole, the epicyclic frequencies, and the black hole shadow profile. Moreover, when matter dynamics is also affected by an electromagnetic radiation force, we take into account the general relativistic Poynting-Robertson effect. In light of the obtained results, the proposed strategy results to be robust and efficient: on the one hand, it allows to investigate gravity from strong to weak field regimes; on the other hand, it is capable of detecting small departures from General Relativity, depending on the current observational sensitivity.

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