arXiv subjects

Zhou-Jian Cao

Publications and source records attributed to Zhou-Jian Cao.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Action-level characterization of gravitational-wave propagation in dynamical Barbero--Immirzi gravity

We investigate which operators in first-order dynamical Barbero--Immirzi (BI) gravity control cosmological tensor propagation at the action level. Within a bosonic, two-derivative, curvature-linear Einstein--Cartan class, eliminating the algebraic Lorentz connection reveals a separation between the scalar sector and the tensor kinetic normalization. In particular, the Holst-to-Palatini ratio determines the scalar kinetic structure, whereas the transverse-traceless tensor mode is normalized by the parity-even Hilbert--Palatini coefficient. As a consequence, a minimal dynamical Holst sector with fixed parity-even normalization remains exactly on the general-relativistic tensor-propagation surface and does not generate anomalous gravitational-wave friction. We then construct a regular nonminimal parity-even realization in which the tensor normalization evolves cosmologically, derive the corresponding standard-siren observable, and apply current GWTC-3, GWTC-4.0, and GWTC-5.0 information as an observational test of this action-level tensor sector. The resulting constraints should therefore be interpreted as limits on the evolution of the tensor kinetic normalization rather than direct constraints on minimal BI torsion dynamics.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Dynamical Barbero--Immirzi field coupled to quintessence: gravitational-wave propagation constraints and next-generation forecasts

We investigate the imprints of a dynamical Barbero--Immirzi (BI) field $γ(x)$ coupled to a quintessence scalar field $ϕ$ on gravitational-wave (GW) propagation. In the framework of Einstein--Cartan--Holst gravity, promoting $γ$ to a dynamical scalar introduces a stress--energy that back-reacts on the metric, modifying the GW friction term. A minimal coupling $\proptoβ\,ϕ^2γ^2$ between the BI field and quintessence leads to a two-parameter extension of the Belgacem--Maggiore parametrization, characterized by $\xBI$ (from the isolated BI field) and $\xcp$ (from the coupling). Using the LIGO--Virgo--KAGRA GWTC-3 dark-siren constraint $Ξ_0=1.2^{+0.7}_{-0.7}$, we obtain the first simultaneous constraints: $|\xBI|\lesssim0.7$ and $|\xcp|\lesssim0.13$ at 90\% credibility. We then forecast the sensitivity of next-generation detectors Einstein Telescope (ET) and Cosmic Explorer (CE), showing that a 10-year observation campaign can improve these bounds by roughly one to two orders of magnitude depending on the parameter---a factor of $\sim\!20$ for $\xBI$ and $\sim\!20$ for $\xcp$---reaching $σ(\xBI)\sim3\times10^{-2}$ and $σ(\xcp)\sim1.2\times10^{-2}$. Translated into microscopic parameters, this corresponds to $γ_{\rm dyn}\lesssim10^{-12}$ and $β\lesssim10^{-3}$, providing a powerful new observational window into the interplay between quantum-gravity phenomenology and dark energy.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

A User-Friendly Python Interface for the Numerical Relativity Code AMSS-NCKU

Numerical relativity has brought about profound and wide-ranging influences on modern astrophysics and gravitational-wave astronomy. In this study, we present a user-friendly Python interface for the numerical relativity code AMSS-NCKU. This interface facilitates the automation of initializing and executing the AMSS-NCKU simulations, as well as the automatic visualization of the output data. The Python interface can significantly reduce the operational complexity of the AMSS-NCKU simulation workflow, lowering the technical barriers for new users. To show the utility of this Python interface, we present two representative examples of numerical relativity simulations (the binary black hole and triple black hole merger processes), obtaining stable numerical results and the expected physical behaviors for black hole systems. Keywords: Numerical Relativity, Gravitational Waves, Black Holes, Python

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Capturing quantum phase transition in the ultraviolet region by holography

We reveal for the first time that ultraviolet (UV) observables can diagnose quantum phase transitions (QPTs). In a class of holographic models exhibiting metal-insulator transitions, we study two types of UV observables -- high-frequency conductivity and short-range entanglement. Remarkably, we find that the derivatives of these UV observables exhibit extrema near the quantum critical point. Analytical results show these critical behaviors arise from the deformation of the asymptotic bulk geometry. Moreover, these UV diagnostics show enhanced robustness to thermal fluctuations compared to typical infrared (IR) diagnostics, providing a clean method to identify quantum criticality at finite temperature. This work opens a new window for exploring quantum critical phenomena via UV physics in the laboratory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Lunar and Terrestrial Time Transformation Based on the Principle of General Relativity

Lunar time metrology necessitates a unified temporal framework beyond Earth, requiring an independent lunar system for timekeeping, dissemination, and calendrics. Recent American publications define Lunar Coordinate Time (LTC) within relativity and propose a Terrestrial Time (TT) to LTC conversion formula. However, this formula's derivation and assumptions are contested. The complex dynamics within the solar system can be simplified by decomposing relationships into hierarchical wide-area (external problem) and local-area (internal problem) levels. Grounded in the symmetry and conservation laws of physics, Einstein's general relativity emphasizes two key principles: (i) Equal weighting: Relationships among multi-level coordinate systems are independent and self-similar (analogous to fractals). (ii) *Locality*: The laws of physics retain invariant forms only in local coordinate systems. Specifically, a non-rotating system corresponds to the Frenet frame along a particle's geodesic. Preserving physical law invariance requires restricting rotating references strictly to the local domain; defining the orientation of an Earth-centered system using distant celestial bodies violates general relativity's locality principle. This work derives the relationship between coordinate time and proper time. Using the Earth-Moon system as an intermediary, it obtains a simplified transformation formula between LTC and TT. An independent and universal lunar standard time framework is proposed. Crucially, the derived coordinate time transformation coefficient exhibits long-term secular variation. This variation can be measured and predicted through precise Earth-Moon time comparisons.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

The Peculiar Precursor of a Gamma-Ray Burst from a Binary Merger Involving a Magnetar

The milestone discovery of GW 170817-GRB 170817A-AT 2017gfo has shown that gravitational wave (GW) could be produced during the merger of neutron star-neutron star/black hole and that in electromagnetic (EM) wave a gamma-ray burst (GRB) and a kilonova (KN) are generated in sequence after the merger. Observationally, however, EM property before the merger phase is still unclear. Here we report a peculiar precursor in a KN-associated long-duration GRB 211211A, providing evidence of the EM before the merger. This precursor lasts $\sim$ 0.2 s, and the waiting time between the precursor and the main burst is $\sim$ 1 s, comparable to that between GW 170817 and GRB 170817A. The spectrum of the precursor could be well fit with a non-thermal cutoff power-law model instead of a blackbody. Especially, a $\sim$22 Hz Quasi-Periodic Oscillation candidate ($\sim 3σ$) is detected in the precursor. These temporal and spectral properties indicate that this precursor is probably produced by a catastrophic flare accompanying with magnetoelastic or crustal oscillations of a magnetar in binary compact merger. The strong magnetic field of the magnetar can also account for the prolonged duration of GRB 211211A. However, it poses a challenge to reconcile the rather short lifetime of a magnetar with the rather long spiraling time of a binary neutron star system only by the GW radiation before merger.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Fast resolving Galactic binaries in LISA data and its ability to study the Milky Way

Resolving individual gravitational waves from tens of millions of double white dwarf (DWD) binaries in the Milky Way is a challenge for future space-based gravitational wave detection programs. By using previous data to define the priors for the next search, we propose an accelerated approach of searching the DWD binaries and demonstrate its efficiency based on the GBSIEVER detection pipeline. Compared to the traditional GBSIEVER method, our method can obtain $\sim 50\%$ of sources with 2.5\% of the searching time for LDC1-4 data. In addition, we find that both methods have a similar ability to detect the Milky Way structure by their confirmed sources. The relative error of distance and chirp mass is about 20\% for DWD binaries whose gravitational wave frequency is higher than $4\times10^{-3}$ Hz, even if they are close to the Galactic center. Finally, we propose a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) threshold for LISA to confirm the detection of DWD binaries. The threshold should be 16 when the gravitational wave frequency is lower than $4\times10^{-3}$ Hz and 9 when the frequency range is from $4\times10^{-3}$ Hz to $1.5\times10^{-2}$ Hz.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Relation between gravitational mass and baryonic mass for non-rotating and rapidly rotating neutron stars

With a selected sample of neutron star (NS) equation-of-states (EOSs) that are consistent with the current observations and have a range of maximum masses, we investigate the relations between NS gravitational mass $M_g$ and baryonic mass $M_b$, and the relations between the maximum NS mass supported through uniform rotation ($M_{\rm max}$) and that of nonrotating NSs ($M_{\rm TOV}$). We find that if one intends to apply an EOS-independent quadratic, universal transformation formula ($M_b=M_g+A\times M_{g}^2$) to all EOSs, the best fit $A$ value is 0.080 for non-rotating NSs only and 0.073 when different spin periods are considered. The residual error of the transformation is as large as $\sim0.1M_{\odot}$. For different EOSs, we find that the parameter $A$ for non-rotating NSs is proportional to $R_{1.4}^{-1}$ (where $R_{1.4}$ is NS radius for 1.4$M_\odot$ in unit of km). For a particular EOS, if one adopts the best-fit parameters for different spin periods, the residual error of the transformation is smaller, which is of the order of 0.01$M_\odot$ for the quadratic form and less than 0.01$M_\odot$ for the cubic form ($M_b=M_g+A_1\times M_{g}^2+A_2\times M_{g}^3$). We also find a very tight and general correlation between the normalized mass gain due to spin $Δm\equiv(M_{\rm max}-M_{\rm TOV})/M_{\rm TOV}$ and the spin period normalized to the Keplerian period ${\cal P}$, i.e. ${\rm log_{10}}Δm = (-2.74\pm0.05){\rm log_{10}}{\cal P}+{\rm log_{10}}(0.20\pm 0.01)$, which is independent of EOS models. Applications of our results to GW170817 is discussed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

An axion-like scalar field environment effect on binary black hole merger

Environment, such as the accretion disk, could modify the signal of the gravitational wave from the astrophysical black hole binaries. In this article, we model the matter field around the intermediate-mass binary black holes by means of an axion-like scalar field and investigate their joint evolution. In details, we consider the equal mass binary black holes surrounded by a shell of axion-like scalar field both in spherical symmetric and non-spherical symmetric cases, and with different strength of the scalar field. Our result shows that the environmental scalar field could essentially modify the dynamics. Firstly, in the spherical symmetric case, with increasing of the scalar field strength, the number of circular orbit of the binary black hole is reduced. It means that the scalar field could significantly accelerate the merger process. Secondly, once the scalar field strength exceeds certain critical value, the scalar field could collapse into a third black hole with its mass being larger than the binary. Consequently, the new black hole collapsed from the environmental scalar field could accrete the binary promptly and the binary collides head-on between each other. In this process, there is almost no any quadrupole signal produced, namely the gravitational wave is greatly suppressed. Thirdly, when the scalar field strength is relatively smaller than the critical value, the black hole orbit could develop eccentricity through the accretion of the scalar field. Fourthly, during the initial stage of the inspire, the gravitational attractive force from the axion-like scalar field could induce a sudden turn in the binary orbits, hence result in a transient wiggle in the gravitational waveform. Finally, in the non-spherical case, the scalar field could gravitationally attract the binary moving toward the mass center of the scalar field and slow down the merger process.

gr-qc↗