arXiv subjects

Sergio Zerbini

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio Zerbini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Topological regular black holes without Cauchy horizon

Regular and spherically symmetric black holes that solve the singularity problems of the Schwarzschild solution are phenomenologically viable at large distance but usually suffer from the Cauchy horizon instability. To overcome this drawback, we extended the analysis to include hyperbolic and toroidal horizon topologies within the framework of static, topologically maximally symmetric spacetimes. We show that both hyperbolic and toroidal black holes can be constructed without Cauchy horizons and without curvature singularities, thereby avoiding the mass inflation instability. These solutions exhibit asymptotic flatness in a generalized quasi-Minkowskian sense. The phenomenological aspects of these solutions are also studied by examining their thermodynamical properties, the photon sphere, and the effective potentials, ensuring consistency with observable properties such as black hole shadows. Lastly, we investigate a reconstruction technique within a scalar-tensor gravity framework, illustrating how the discussed metrics can arise from well-defined scalar field dynamics. Our investigation presents a viable pathway for constructing physically realistic, regular black holes in both General Relativity and modified gravity, broadening the landscape of singularity-free spacetimes and offering models that may better reflect the nature of strong gravitational fields in astrophysical and cosmological settings.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Black Holes and Wormholes Beyond Classical General Relativity

In the paper, only Static Spherically Symmetric space-times in four dimensions are considered within modified gravity models. The non-singular static metrics, including black holes not admitting a de Sitter core in the center and traversable wormholes, are reconsidered within a class of higher-order $F(R)$, satisfying the constraints $F(0)=\frac{dF}{dR}(0)=0$. Furthermore, by making use of the so-called effective field theory formulation of gravity, the quantum corrections to Einstein-Hilbert's action due to higher-derivative terms related to curvature invariants are investigated. In particular, in the case of Einstein-Hilbert action plus cubic curvature Goroff-Sagnotti contribution, the second-order correction in the Goroff-Sagnotti coupling constant is computed. In general, it is shown that the effective metrics, namely Schwarzschild expression plus small quantum corrections, are related to black holes and not to traversable wormholes. In this framework, within the approximation considered, the resolution of singularity for $r=0$ is not accomplished. The related properties of these solutions are investigated.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Direct Smooth Reconstruction of Inflationary Models in f(R) gravity

Starting from parametrization of scalar perturbations generated during inflation in terms of $e$--fold $N$ and using an approach recently developed by Starobinsky, dubbed "direct smooth reconstruction", we show that, in the slow--roll approximation, it is possible to reconstruct the inflation potential in the Einstein frame and its corresponding Lagrangian $f(R)$ model

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Some remarks on non-singular spherically symmetric space-times

A short review on spherically symmetric static regular black holes and spherically symmetric non singular cosmological space-time is presented. Several models of regular black holes, including new ones, are considered. First, a large class of regular black holes having an inner de Sitter core with the related issue of Cauchy horizon is investigated. Then, black bounce space-times, where the Cauchy horizon and therefore the related instabilities are absent, are discussed as valid alternatives of regular black holes with inner de Sitter core. Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker space-times admitting regular bounce solutions are also discussed. In the general analysis concerning the presence or absence of singularities in the equations of motion, the role of a theorem due to Osgood is stressed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Non-Singular Black Holes and mass inflation in modified gravity

We analytically derive a class of non-singular, static and spherically symmetric topological black hole metrics inF(R)-gravity. These have not a de Sitter core at their centre, as most model in standard General Relativity. We study the geometric properties and the motion of test particles around these objects. Since they have two horizons, the inner being of Cauchy type, we focus on the problem of mass inflation and show that it occurs except when some extremal conditions are met.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Bounce Models within Teleparallel modified gravity

In this paper, working in a Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW), first, in the flat case, we recover the generalized Friedman equation of Quantum Loop cosmology, and therefore the cosmological bounce, in the framework of modified teleparallel gravity $f(T)$-model, $T$ being the torsion scalar introduced in teleparallel gravity approach, without invoking unconventional exotic matter. Furthermore we study the associated perturbations again in a flat FLRW space-time. Then, we generalize the results to the curved FLRW space-time, where some issues related to the choice of tetrad exist, by using an appropriate formulation. In this context, the results of Born-Infeld model are also investigated.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

A note on non singular Einstein-Aether cosmologies

An effective Lagrangian approach based on an extended Einstein-Aether (EA) model is presented and formulated in a generic non flat Fridman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) space-time. For a flat FLRW space-time, a Friedmann equation similar to the one obtained in Quantum Loop Cosmology (QLC) is reproduced, with related non singular bounce solution. Finally, the Static Spherically Symmetric (SSS) solutions are investigated.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Higher derivative and mimetic models on non flat FLRW space-times

An effective Lagrangian approach, partly inspired by Quantum Loop Cosmology (QLC), is presented and formulated in a non flat FLRW space-times, making use of modified gravitational models. The models considered are non generic, and their choice is dictated by the necessity to have at least second order differential equations of motion in a non flat FLRW space-time. This is accomplished by a class of Lagrangian which are not analytic in the curvature invariants, or making use of a mimetic gravitational scalar field. It is shown that, for some effective models, the associated generalized Friedmann equation, in general, may admit non singular metrics as solutions, while the de Sitter space-time is present only for a restricted class, which includes General Relativity and Lovelock gravity. The other models admit pseudo de Sitter solutions, namely FLRW metrics, such that for vanishing spatial curvature looks like flat de Sitter patch, but for non vanishing spatial curvature are regular bounce metrics or, when the spatial curvature is negative, Big-Bang singular metrics.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Covariant Horava-like and mimetic Horndeski gravity: cosmological solutions and perturbations

We consider a variant of the Nojiri-Odintsov covariant Horava-like gravitational model, where diffeomorphism invariance is broken dynamically via a non-standard coupling to a perfect fluid. The theory allows to address some of the potential instability problems present in Horava-Lifshitz gravity due to explicit diffeomorphism invariance breaking. The fluid is instead constructed from a scalar field constrained by a Lagrange multiplier. In fact, the Lagrange multiplier construction allows for an extension of the Horava-like model to include the scalar field of mimetic gravity, an extension which we thoroughly explore. By adding a potential for the scalar field, we show how one can reproduce a number of interesting cosmological scenarios. We then turn to the study of perturbations around a flat FLRW background, showing that the fluid in question behaves as an irrotational fluid, with zero sound speed. To address this problem, we consider a modified version of the theory, adding higher derivative terms in a way which brings us beyond the Horndeski framework. We compute the sound speed in this modified higher order mimetic Horava-like model and show that it is non-zero, which means that perturbations therein can be sensibly defined. Caveats to our analysis, as well as comparisons to projectable Horava-Lifshitz gravity, are also discussed. In conclusion, we present a theory of gravity which preserves diffeomorphism invariance at the level of the action but breaks it dynamically in the UV, reduces to General Relativity in the IR, allows the realization of a number of interesting cosmological scenarios, is well defined when considering perturbations around a flat FLRW background, and features cosmological dark matter emerging as an integration constant.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Action growth for black holes in modified gravity

The general form of the action growth for a large class of static black hole solutions in modified gravity which includes $F(R)$-gravity models is computed. The cases of black hole solutions with non vanishing Ricci curvature are also considered, generalizing the results previously found and valid only for constant curvature black holes. An argument is put forward to provide a physical interpretation of the results.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Non-polynomial Lagrangian approach to Regular Black Holes

We present a review on Lagrangian models admitting spherically symmetric regular black holes, and cosmological bounce solutions. Non-linear electrodynamics, non-polynomial gravity, and fluid approaches are explained in details. They consist respectively in a gauge invariant generalization of the Maxwell Lagrangian, in modifications of the Einstein-Hilbert action via non-polynomial curvature invariants, and finally in the reconstruction of density profiles able to cure the central singularity of black holes. The non-polynomial gravity curvature invariants have the special property to be second order and polynomial in the metric field, in spherically symmetric spacetimes. Along the way, other models and results are discussed, and some general properties that regular black holes should satisfy are mentioned. A covariant Sakharov criterion for the absence of singularities in dynamical spherically symmetric spacetimes is also proposed and checked for some examples of such regular metric fields.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

A non-polynomial gravity formulation for Loop Quantum Cosmology bounce

Recently the so-called mimetic gravity approach has been used to obtain corrections to Friedmann equation of General Relativity similar to the ones present in loop quantum cosmology. In this paper, we propose an alternative way to derive this modified Friedmann equation via the so-called non-polynomial gravity approach, which consists in adding geometric non-polynomial higher derivative terms to Hilbert-Einstein action, which are nonetheless polynomials and lead to second order differential equation in Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker spacetimes. Our explicit action turns out to be a realization of the Helling proposal of effective action with infinite number of terms. The model is investigated also in presence of non vanishing cosmological constant and a new exact bounce solution is found and studied.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

A note on singular and non-singular black holes

An attempt is made in order to clarify the so called regular black holes issue. It is revisited that if one works within General Relativity minimally coupled with non linear source, mainly of electromagnetic origin, and within a static spherically symmetric ansatz for the metric, there is still room for singular contribution to the black hole solution. A reconstruction method is proposed and several examples are discussed, including new ones. A possible way to obtain a non singular black hole is introduced, and in this case, several known examples are re-discussed, and new ones are provided.

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arXiv2016

Static spherically symmetric solutions in mimetic gravity: rotation curves & wormholes

In this work, we analyse static spherically symmetric solutions in the framework of mimetic gravity, an extension of general relativity where the conformal degree of freedom of gravity is isolated in a covariant fashion. Here we extend previous works by considering in addition a potential for the mimetic field. An appropriate choice of such potential allows for the reconstruction of a number of interesting cosmological and astrophysical scenarios. We explicitly show how to reconstruct such a potential for a general static spherically symmetric space-time. A number of applications and scenarios are then explored, among which traversable wormholes. Finally, we analytically reconstruct potentials which leads to solutions to the equations of motion featuring polynomial corrections to the Schwarzschild spacetime. Accurate choices for such corrections could provide an explanation for the inferred flat rotation curves of spiral galaxies within the mimetic gravity framework, without the need for particle dark matter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Inflationary quasi-scale invariant attractors

In a series of recent papers Kallosh, Linde, and collaborators have provided a unified description of single-field inflation with several types of potentials, ranging from power law to supergravity, in terms of just one parameter $α$. These so-called $α$-attractors predict a spectral index $n_{s}$ and a tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$, which are fully compatible with the latest Planck data. The only common feature of all $α$-attractors is a non-canonical kinetic term with a pole, and a potential analytic around the pole. In this paper, starting from the same Einstein frame with a non-canonical scalar kinetic energy, we explore the case of non-analytic potentials. We find the functional form that corresponds to quasi-scale invariant gravitational models in the Jordan frame, characterised by a universal relation between $r$ and $n_{s}$ that fits the observational data but is clearly distinct from the one of the $α$-attractors. It is known that the breaking of the exact classical scale-invariance in the Jordan frame can be attributed to one-loop corrections. Therefore we conclude that there exists a class of non-analytic potentials in the non-canonical Einstein frame that are physically equivalent to a class of models in the Jordan frame, with scale-invariance softly broken by one-loop quantum corrections.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Mimetic covariant renormalizable gravity

Covariant renormalizable gravity is a Horava-like extension of general relativity, enjoying full diffeomorphism invariance. However, the price to pay in order to maintain both covariance and renormalizability is the presence of an unknown fluid, whose non-standard coupling dynamically breaks Lorentz invariance. In this brief work we identify and explain the nature of this fluid, which we note describes the conformal mode of gravity, and arises naturally in frameworks such as that of mimetic gravity. Finally, we lay out extensions of the covariant Horava-like model, which can serve as a guide for future model-building in this area.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Modified Gravity Models Admitting Second Order Equations of Motion

The aim of this paper is to find higher order geometrical corrections to the Einstein-Hilbert action that can lead to only second order equations of motion. The metric formalism is used, and static spherically symmetric and Friedmann-Lemaître space-times are considered, in four dimensions. The FKWC-basis are introduced in order to consider all the possible invariant scalars, and both polynomial and non-polynomial gravities are investigated.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

A note on a mimetic scalar-tensor cosmological model

A specific Horndeski scalar-gravity mimetic model is investigated within a FLWR space-time. The mimetic scalar field is implemented via a Lagrangian multiplier, and it is shown that the model has equations of motion formally similar to the original simpler mimetic matter model of Chamseddine-Mukhanov-Vikman. Several exact solutions describing inflation, bounces, future time singularities are presented and discussed.

gr-qc↗