arXiv subjects

Susanna Barsanti

Publications and source records attributed to Susanna Barsanti.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Adiabatic evolution of asymmetric binaries on generic orbits with new fundamental fields I: characterization of gravitational wave fluxes

We investigate the dynamics of asymmetric binaries in extensions of General Relativity featuring a massless scalar field non-minimally coupled to gravity, focusing on the interplay between eccentricity and inclination in fully generic bound orbits. Building on an effective field theory framework tailored to extreme- and intermediate-mass-ratio inspirals, we compute scalar-field perturbations using a new arbitrary-precision C++ code capable of evolving perturbations along generic Kerr geodesics, STORM. We investigate the complete set of scalar fluxes at infinity and through the horizon across the relevant parameter space and analyze their harmonic structure as a function of orbital geometry and black-hole spin. Our results advance ongoing efforts to construct accurate waveform models for asymmetric binaries beyond GR and lay the groundwork for precision tests of fundamental physics with next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Quantifying the Scientific Potential of Intermediate and Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will enable precision studies of Extreme and Intermediate Mass Ratio Inspirals (EMRIs/IMRIs), providing unique probes of astrophysical environments of galactic nuclei and strong-field gravity. Using a fully relativistic pipeline across primary masses $m_1 \in [5\times10^4, 10^7]\,M_\odot$ and secondary masses $m_2 \in [1, 10^4]\,M_\odot$, we map instrumental performance directly to detection horizons and parameter measurement precision. EMRIs with $m_1 = 10^7\,M_\odot$ and $m_2 \sim 1\,M_\odot$ are the most sensitive to instrument degradation, with redshift horizons at $z \sim 0.01$, while IMRIs are the least sensitive to degradation and reach redshifts $z \sim 1-3$. All prograde systems considered achieve sub-percent spin precision within three months of observation. The full 4.5-year mission increases the horizon of systems with $m_1 = 10^7\,M_\odot$ and $m_2 \sim 1\,M_\odot$ by a factor of $\sim 4$ and improves sky localization by one to two orders of magnitude reaching $ < 10\,\mathrm{deg}^2$. IMRI detection is robust against degradation, but their parameter estimation is more vulnerable due to fewer cycles in band. With the full baseline, EMRI observations constrain scalar dipole emission and Kerr quadrupole deviations below ground-based bounds by one to two orders of magnitude. We release the accompanying software and an interactive website to enable the community to rapidly quantify the scientific potential of EMRIs and IMRIs.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

The significance of first post-adiabatic contributions for scalar charge measurements with intermediate and extreme mass ratio inspirals

We present the first self-force-based beyond-GR waveform model incorporating post-adiabatic orbital evolution for intermediate- and extreme-mass-ratio inspirals in theories of gravity with additional scalar fields. Focusing on quasi-circular inspirals into a non-spinning primary, we combine a first post-adiabatic (1PA) gravitational sector with leading-order scalar field effects and use Bayesian injection-recovery studies to assess the impact of waveform systematics on the inference of scalar charges with LISA. We find that neglecting 1PA effects in the gravitational sector can bias the inference of intrinsic binary parameters, while scalar-charge measurements remain robust across a wide range of mass ratios. In contrast, analysing signals from binaries in which the secondary carries a scalar charge using pure-GR templates leads to significant biases and underestimated uncertainties due to unmodelled correlations between the scalar charge and the binary parameters. We also investigate the role of secondary spin and find no significant correlation between the secondary spin and the scalar charge. Notably, up to a mass ratio of $10^{-4}$, the secondary spin itself remains unconstrained even in the pure-GR case, in contrast with previous claims in the literature. Finally, we show that modelling scalar emission with a leading-order dipolar post-Newtonian approximation -- for quasi-circular inspirals into a non-spinning primary -- introduces negligible systematic errors relative to fully relativistic scalar fluxes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Probing fundamental physics with Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals: a full Bayesian inference for scalar charge

Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals (EMRIs) are key sources for the future space-based gravitational wave detector LISA, and are considered promising probes of fundamental physics. Here, we present the first complete Bayesian analysis of EMRI signals in theories with an additional massless scalar, which could arise in an extension of General Relativity or of the Standard Model of Particle Physics. We develop a waveform model accurate at adiabatic order for equatorial eccentric orbits around spinning black holes. Using full Bayesian inference, we forecast LISA's ability to probe the presence of new fundamental fields with EMRI observations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Extreme mass-ratio inspirals as probes of scalar fields: inclined circular orbits around Kerr black holes

Extreme mass-ratio inspirals, a target source for the space-based gravitational wave detector LISA, are a sensitive probe of fundamental scalar fields coupled to gravity. We assess the capability of LISA to detect whether the secondary compact object is endowed with a scalar field, in the case of inclined orbits. We show that the imprint of the scalar field depends on the orbital inclination, and is significantly larger for prograde orbits.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Detecting massive scalar fields with Extreme Mass-Ratio Inspirals

We study the imprint of light scalar fields on gravitational waves from extreme mass ratio inspirals -- binary systems with a very large mass asymmetry. We first show that, to leading order in the mass ratio, any effects of the scalar on the waveform are captured fully by two parameters: the mass of the scalar and the scalar charge of the secondary compact object. We then use this theory-agnostic framework to show that the future observations by LISA will be able to simultaneously measure both of these parameters with enough accuracy to detect ultra-light scalars.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Extreme mass-ratio inspirals as probes of scalar fields: eccentric equatorial orbits around Kerr black holes

We study binary systems in which a stellar mass compact object spirals into a massive black hole, known as extreme mass ratio inspirals, in scenarios with a new fundamental scalar field. Earlier work has shown that, in most interesting such scenarios and to leading order in the mass ratio, the massive black holes can be adequately approximated by the Kerr metric and the imprint of the scalar field on the waveform is fully controlled by the scalar charge of the stellar mass object. Here we use this drastic simplification in the inspiral modelling and consider eccentric equatorial orbits. We study how the scalar charge affects the orbital evolution for different eccentricities and different values of the black hole spin. We then determine how changes in the orbital evolution get imprinted on the waveform and assess LISA's capability to detect or constrain the scalar charge.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Detecting Subsolar-Mass Primordial Black Holes in Extreme Mass-Ratio Inspirals with LISA and Einstein Telescope

Primordial black holes possibly formed in the early universe could provide a significant fraction of the dark matter and would be unique probes of inflation. A smoking gun for their discovery would be the detection of a subsolar mass compact object. We argue that extreme mass-ratio inspirals will be ideal to search for subsolar-mass black holes not only with LISA but also with third-generation ground-based detectors such as Cosmic Explorer and the Einstein Telescope. These sources can provide unparalleled measurements of the mass of the secondary object at subpercent level for primordial black holes as light as ${\cal O}(0.01)M_\odot$ up to luminosity distances around hundred megaparsec and few gigaparsec for LISA and Einstein Telescope, respectively, in a complementary frequency range. This would allow claiming, with very high statistical confidence, the detection of a subsolar-mass black hole, which would also provide a novel (and currently undetectable) family of sources for third-generation detectors.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Detecting fundamental fields with LISA observations of gravitational waves from extreme mass-ratio inspirals

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, LISA, will detect gravitational wave signals from Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals, where a stellar mass compact object orbits a supermassive black hole and eventually plunges into it. Here we report on LISA's capability to detect whether the smaller compact object in an Extreme Mass Ratio Inspiral is endowed with a scalar field, and to measure its scalar charge -- a dimensionless quantity that acts as a measure of how much scalar field the object carries. By direct comparison of signals, we show that LISA will be able to detect and measure the scalar charge with an accuracy of the order of percent, which is an unprecedented level of precision. This result is independent of the origin of the scalar field and of the structure and other properties of the small compact object, so it can be seen as a generic assessment of LISA's capabilities to detect new fundamental fields.

gr-qc↗