Dragging Of Inertial Frames Research Articles

On the high accuracy to test dragging of inertial frames with the LARES 2 space experiment

In this paper we treat some aspects of the LARES 2 space experiment to test the general relativistic phenomenon of dragging of inertial frames, or frame-dragging, in particular we discuss some aspects of its relative accuracy which can approach one part in a thousand. We then, once again respond to the criticisms of the author of a recent paper about the accuracy in the measurement of frame-dragging with LARES 2. The claims of such a paper are not reproducible in any independent analyses. Indeed, it claims that the accuracy in the test of frame-dragging, which can be reached by the LARES 2 space experiment, is several orders of magnitude larger than previously estimated in a number of papers. Here we show that such a paper is based on a number of significant misunderstandings and conceptual mistakes. Furthermore, it is puzzling to observe that previous papers by the same author contained completely opposite statements about the accuracy which can be reached using two satellites with supplementary inclinations, such as in the LARES 2 space experiment, and in general with laser-ranged satellites.

Anisotropic compact stellar objects with a slow rotation effect

A new class of exact solutions depicting anisotropic compact objects is presented in the current work. This spherically symmetric matter distribution assumes a specific form of anisotropy to obtain the exact solution for the field equations. The obtained interior solutions are smoothly matched with the Schwarzschild exterior metric over the bounding surface of a compact star and together with the condition that the radial pressure vanishes at the boundary, the form of the model parameters are attained. One of the interesting features of the obtained solutions is the codependency of the metric potentials. We have considered the pulsar 4U1608-52 with its current estimated data (mass =1.57-0.29+0.30M⊙\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$=1.57^{+0.30}_{-0.29} ~M\\odot $$\\end{document} and radius =9.8±1.8\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$=9.8 \\pm 1.8$$\\end{document} km [Özel in Astrophys J 820(1):28, 2016]) to study the model graphically. Moreover, we have studied the physical features and some important stability conditions for the model. Tabular comparison with other known pulsars infers that the obtained model represents a compact star within a radius of 8–12 km. Finally, we have found the angular momentum that causes the dragging of inertial frames of the slowly rotating equilibrium compact objects.

Origin of primeval seed magnetism in rotating astrophysical bodies

We show that a primeval seed magnetic field arises due to spin-degeneracy breaking of fermions caused by the dragging of inertial frames in the curved spacetime of rotating astrophysical bodies. This seed magnetic field would arise even due to electrically neutral fermions such as neutrons. As examples, firstly we show that an ideal neutron star rotating at 500 revolutions per second, having mass 0.83 M⊙ and described by an ensemble of degenerate neutrons, would have 0.12 Gauss seed magnetic field at its center arising through the breaking of spin-degeneracy. Secondly, similar seed field at a proto-galactic stage for the Milky Way galaxy as implied by its observed rotation curve is estimated to be between 10-19–10-24 Gauss, a field strength which is known to be sufficient to produce presently observed microgauss magnetic field.

Dragging of inertial frames in the composed Kerr-Newman-orbiting-ring system

The dragging of inertial frames by an orbiting object, a well known phenomenon in general relativity, implies that the horizon angular velocity ΩHBH-ring of a central black hole in a composed black-hole-orbiting-ring system is no longer related to its angular-momentum JH by the familiar vacuum functional relation ΩH(JH)=JH/Mα (here {M,α} are respectively the mass and normalized area of the central spinning black hole). Using a continuity argument, according to which the black-hole angular velocity changes smoothly during an adiabatic assimilation process of an orbiting ring, it has recently been revealed that the composed Kerr-ring system is characterized by the universal (that is, spin-independent) relation ΔΩH≡ΩHBH-ring(JH,JR,R→RH+)−ΩHKerr(JH)=JR/4M3, where {R,JR} are respectively the radius of the ring and its orbital angular momentum and RH is the horizon radius of the central Kerr black hole. This intriguing observation naturally raises the following physically interesting question: Does the physical quantity ΔΩH in a composed black-hole-orbiting-ring system is always characterized by the near-horizon functional relation ΔΩH=JR/4M3 which is independent of the spin (angular momentum) JH of the central black hole? In order to address this important question, in the present compact paper we explore the physical phenomenon of dragging of inertial frames by an orbiting ring in the composed Kerr-Newman-black-hole-orbiting-ring system. In particular, using analytical techniques, we reveal the fact that in this composed two-body (black-hole-ring) system the quantity ΔΩH has an explicit non-trivial functional dependence on the angular momentum JH of the central spinning black hole.

Inertial Frame Dragging and Relative Rotation of ZAMOs in Axistationary Asymptotically Flat Spacetimes

In axistationary, asymptotically flat spacetimes, zero angular momentum observers (ZAMOs) define an absolute standard of non-rotation locally, as can be verified by the absence of any Sagnac effect for these observers. Nevertheless, we argue that on a global scale the only physically meaningful concept is that of relative rotation. The argument is substantiated by solving Einstein’s equations for an approximate thin shell model, where we maintain a degree of freedom, by relaxing the natural assumption of vanishing rotation at asymptotic infinity, at the outset of the analysis. The solution reveals that Einstein’s equations only determine differences in the rotation rate of ZAMOs, thereby establishing the concept of relative rotation globally. The interpretation of rotation as relative in a global context is inherently linked to the freedom to transform between coordinate systems rotating relative to each other, implying that an arbitrary ZAMO located at any radius may claim to be the one that is non-rotating on a global scale, and that the notion of an asymptotic Lorentz frame relative to which one may measure absolute rotation is devoid of any meaning. The concept of rotation in Kerr spacetime is then briefly discussed in the context of this interpretation.

The LARES 2 satellite, general relativity and fundamental physics

LARES 2, successfully launched on July 13, 2022, is a new generation laser-ranged satellite. LARES is an acronym for LAser RElativity Satellite. The first LARES satellite was successfully launched on February 13, 2012 with the ESA-ASI-AVIO launch vehicle VEGA. LARES 2 was injected with extremely high precision onto a high-altitude orbit at about 5900 km altitude with the new ESA-ASI-AVIO launch vehicle VEGA C. Laser-ranged satellites have many applications, including to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity. The main general relativistic phenomenon that LARES 2 will test with high accuracy is the dragging of inertial frames, or frame-dragging. It will also test other aspects and principles of fundamental physics and general relativity, such as the weak equivalence principle at the foundation of viable gravitational theories. Frame-dragging is the name Einstein himself gave in 1913 to an intriguing phenomenon of general relativity which implies that a current of mass-energy, such as the rotation of a body, will generate spacetime curvature. Frame-dragging has a key role in high energy astrophysics, e.g., in the generation of gravitational waves by the collision of two black holes to form a rotating black hole. Frame-dragging by the rotating Earth was measured to a few percent accuracy by combining the data of the satellites LARES, LAGEOS and LAGEOS 2 (Ciufolini et al. in Eur Phys J C 79:872, 2019). LARES 2, thanks to its extremely high injection precision, is projected to improve the test of frame-dragging by at least an order of magnitude. LARES 2 has also relevant applications in space geodesy and geodynamics, e.g., in the study of the shape of the Earth and in the determination of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) by improving the determination of the Earth center of mass and by contributing to a better determination of its rotation axis.

Equation of states in the curved spacetime of slowly rotating degenerate stars

We compute the equation of state for an ensemble of degenerate fermions by using the curved spacetime of a slowly rotating axially symmetric star. We show that the equation of state computed in such curved spacetime depends on the gravitational time dilation as well as on the dragging of inertial frames, unlike an equation of state computed in a globally flat spacetime. The effect of gravitational time dilation leads to a significant enhancement of the maximum mass limit of a degenerate neutron star. However, such an enhancement due to the frame-dragging effect is extremely small. Nevertheless, in general relativity the frame-dragging effect is crucial for computing angular momentum of the star which is also shown to be enhanced significantly due to the usage of curved spacetime in computing the equation of state.

Dragging of inertial frames by matter and waves

In this paper, we review and analyze four specific general-relativistic problems in which gravitomagnetism plays an important role: the dragging of magnetic fields around rotating black holes, dragging inside a collapsing slowly rotating spherical shell of dust, compared with the dragging by rotating gravitational waves. We demonstrate how the quantum detection of inertial frame dragging can be accomplished by using the Unruh–DeWitt detectors. Finally, we shall briefly show how “instantaneous Machian gauges” can be useful in the cosmological perturbation theory.

Haynes 242 Alloy for Lares 2 Satellite

The satellite LARES 2 is designed to test dragging of inertial frames, or frame-dragging, predicted by Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, with accuracy of a few parts in a thousand. For this purpose, besides the typical requirements for a space construction, a high density alloy must be used. In this paper are reported the studies performed on a nickel alloy, the Haynes 242, that is considered a possible candidate for manufacturing all the metallic parts of LARES 2 and other passive geodetic satellites. Haynes 242 density and mechanical properties are compliant with the requirements of the mission. Three different casting with the nominal composition of the alloy have been prepared and tested along with a commercial bar of Haynes 242. The results of tensile and hardness tests on several specimens with different aging time are reported, along with the relevant metallographic analysis. Furthermore, a test on the machinability, performed on a screw, which is the most demanding item from the manufacturing point of view, is reported.

Quantum detection of inertial frame dragging

A relativistic theory of gravity like general relativity produces phenomena differing fundamentally from Newton's theory. An example, analogous to electromagnetic induction, is gravitomagnetism, or the dragging of inertial frames by mass-energy currents. These effects have recently been confirmed by classical observations. Here we show, for the first time, that they can be observed by a quantum detector. We study the response function of Unruh De-Witt detectors placed in a slowly rotating shell. We show that the response function picks up the presence of rotation even though the spacetime inside the shell is flat and the detector is locally inertial. The detector can distinguish between the static situation when the shell is non-rotating and the stationary case when the shell rotates and the dragging of inertial frames, i.e. gravitomagnetic effects, arise. Moreover, it can do so when the detector is switched on for a finite time interval within which a light signal cannot travel to the shell and back to convey the presence of rotation.

Marginally bound circular orbits in the composed black-hole-ring system

The physical and mathematical properties of the non-linearly coupled black-hole-orbiting-ring system are studied analytically to second order in the dimensionless angular velocity M_{text {ir}}omega _{text {H}} of the black-hole horizon (here M_{text {ir}} is the irreducible mass of the slowly rotating central black hole). In particular, we determine analytically, to first order in the dimensionless ring-to-black-hole mass ratio m/M_{text {ir}}, the shift Delta Omega _{text {mb}}/Omega _{text {mb}} in the orbital frequency of the marginally bound circular geodesic that characterizes the composed curved spacetime. Interestingly, our analytical results for the frequency shift Delta Omega _{text {mb}} in the composed black-hole-orbiting-ring toy model agree qualitatively with the recently published numerical results for the corresponding frequency shift in the physically related (and mathematically much more complex) black-hole-orbiting-particle system. In particular, the present analysis provides evidence that, at order O(m/M_{text {ir}}), the recently observed positive shift in the angular frequency of the marginally bound circular orbit is directly related to the physically intriguing phenomenon of dragging of inertial frames by orbiting masses in general relativity.

Dragging of inertial frames in the composed black-hole-particle system and the weak cosmic censorship conjecture

We analyze a gedanken experiment in which a spinning particle that also possesses an extrinsic orbital angular momentum is captured by a spinning Kerr black hole. The gravitational spin-orbit interaction decreases the energy of the particle, thus allowing one to test the validity of the Penrose weak cosmic censorship conjecture in extreme situations that have not been analyzed thus far. It is explicitly shown that, to leading order in the black-hole-particle interactions, the linearized test particle can over-spin the black hole, thus exposing its inner spacetime singularity to external observers. However, we prove that the general relativistic effect of dragging of inertial frames by the orbiting particle contributes to the energy budget of the system a non-linear black-hole-particle interaction term that ultimately ensures the validity of the Penrose cosmic censorship conjecture in this type of gedanken experiments.

General relativistic numerical simulation of sub-Keplerian transonic accretion flows on to rotating black holes: Kerr space–time

We study time evolution of sub-Keplerian transonic accretion flows onto black holes using a general relativistic numerical simulation code. We perform simulations around the black holes having non-zero rotation. We first compare one-dimensional simulation results with theoretical results and validate the performance of our code. Next, we present results of axisymmetric, two-dimensional simulation of advective flows. In the literature, there is no solution which describes steady shock solutions in two dimensions. However, our simulations produce these centrifugal force supported steady shock waves even in presence of strong dragging of inertial frames. Since the post-shock region could be hot and upscatter photons through Comptonization, these shock would put imprints on the spectra. Thus, our solutions, which represent truly new results, could be useful to measure spins through radiation spectrum of accreting Kerr black holes.

Inertial Frame Dragging in an Acoustic Analogue Spacetime

AbstractWe report an incipient exploration of the Lense‐Thirring precession effect in a rotating acoustic analogue black hole spacetime. An exact formula is deduced for the precession frequency of a gyroscope due to inertial frame dragging, close to the ergosphere of a ‘Draining Bathtub’ acoustic spacetime which has been studied extensively for acoustic Hawking radiation of phonons and also for ‘superresonance’. The formula is verified by embedding the two dimensional spatial (acoustic) geometry into a three dimensional one where the similarity with standard Lense‐Thirring precession results within a strong gravity framework is well known. Prospects of experimental detection of this new ‘fixed‐metric’ effect in acoustic geometries, are briefly discussed.

The GINGER project and status of the GINGERino prototype at LNGS

GINGER (Gyroscopes IN GEneral Relativity) is a proposal for measuring in a ground-based laboratory the Lense-Thirring effect, known also as inertial frame dragging, that is predicted by General Relativity, and is induced by the rotation of a massive source. GINGER will consist in an array of at least three square ring lasers, mutually orthogonal, with about 6-10 m side, and located in a deep underground site, possibly the INFN - National Laboratories of Gran Sasso. The tri-axial design will provide a complete estimation of the laboratory frame angular velocity, to be compared with the Earths rotation estimate provided by IERS with respect the fixed stars frame. Large-size ring lasers have already reached a very high sensitivity, allowing for relevant geodetic measurements. The accuracy required for Lense-Thirring effect measurement is higher than 10-14 rad/s and therefore Earth angular velocity must be measured within one part in 10-9. A 3.6 m side, square ring laser, called GINGERino, has been recently installed inside the Gran Sasso underground laboratories in order to qualify the site for a future installation of GINGER. We discuss the current status of the experimental work, and in particular of the GINGERino prototype.

A test of general relativity using the LARES and LAGEOS satellites and a GRACE Earth gravity model: Measurement of Earth's dragging of inertial frames.

We present a test of general relativity, the measurement of the Earth’s dragging of inertial frames. Our result is obtained using about 3.5 years of laser-ranged observations of the LARES, LAGEOS, and LAGEOS 2 laser-ranged satellites together with the Earth gravity field model GGM05S produced by the space geodesy mission GRACE. We measure mu = (0.994 pm 0.002) pm 0.05, where mu is the Earth’s dragging of inertial frames normalized to its general relativity value, 0.002 is the 1-sigma formal error and 0.05 is our preliminary estimate of systematic error mainly due to the uncertainties in the Earth gravity model GGM05S. Our result is in agreement with the prediction of general relativity.

Dragging of inertial frames in the composed black-hole–ring system

A well-established phenomenon in general relativity is the dragging of inertial frames by a spinning object. In particular, due to the dragging of inertial frames by a ring orbiting a central black hole, the angular-velocity of the black-hole horizon in the composed black-hole-ring system is no longer related to the black-hole angular-momentum by the simple Kerr-like (vacuum) relation $\Omega^{\text{Kerr}}_{\text{H}}(J_{\text{H}})=J_{\text{H}}/2M^2R_{\text{H}}$. Will has performed a perturbative treatment of the composed black-hole-ring system in the regime of slowly rotating black holes and found the explicit relation $\Omega^{\text{BH-ring}}_{\text{H}}(J_{\text{H}}=0,J_{\text{R}},R)=2J_{\text{R}}/R^3$ for the angular-velocity of a central black hole with zero angular-momentum. Analyzing a sequence of black-hole-ring configurations with adiabatically varying (decreasing) circumferential radii, we show that the expression found by Will implies a smooth transition of the central black-hole angular-velocity from its asymptotic near-horizon value $\Omega^{\text{BH-ring}}_{\text{H}}(J_{\text{H}}=0,J_{\text{R}},R\to R^{+}_{\text{H}})$ to its final Kerr (vacuum) value $\Omega^{\text{Kerr}}_{\text{H}}(J^{\text{new}}_{\text{H}})$. We use this important observation in order to generalize the result of Will to the regime of black-hole-ring configurations in which the central black holes possess non-zero angular momenta. Remarkably, we find the simple universal relation $\Delta\Omega_{\text{H}}\equiv\Omega^{\text{BH-ring}}_{\text{H}}(J_{\text{H}},J_{\text{R}},R\to R^{+}_{\text{H}})-\Omega^{\text{Kerr}}_{\text{H}}(J_{\text{H}})={{J_{\text{R}}}/{4M^3}}$ for the asymptotic deviation of the black-hole angular-velocity in the composed black-hole-ring system from the corresponding angular-velocity of the unperturbed (vacuum) Kerr black hole with the same angular-momentum.

Rotating thin shells in (2 + 1)-dimensional asymptotically AdS spacetimes: Mechanical properties, machian effects, and energy conditions

In this paper, a rotating thin shell in a (2 + 1)-dimensional asymptotically AdS spacetime is studied. The spacetime exterior to the shell is the rotating BTZ spacetime and the interior is the empty spacetime with a cosmological constant. Through the Einstein equation in (2 + 1) dimensions and the corresponding junction conditions we calculate the dynamical relevant quantities, namely, the rest energy–density, the pressure, and the angular momentum flux density. We also analyze the matter in a frame where its energy–momentum tensor has a perfect fluid form. In addition, we show that Machian effects, such as the dragging of inertial frames, also occur in rotating (2 + 1)-dimensional spacetimes. The weak and the dominant energy condition for these shells are discussed.

On the statistics of the orbital residuals of the LAGEOS satellites

We present a statistical analysis of the laser ranging data of LAGEOS and LAGEOS 2 satellites which have provided a test of dragging of inertial frames, or frame-dragging, by rotating mass as predicted by General Relativity. As a result, the analysis of the residuals, after filtering out the periodic effects, is consistent with a Gaussian model, with a nonzero mean in agreement with the one predicted by Lense–Thirring effect.

Strong gravity Lense–Thirring precession in Kerr and Kerr–Taub–NUT spacetimes

An exact expression derived in the literature for the rate of dragging of inertial frames (Lense–Thirring (LT) precession) in a general stationary spacetime, is reviewed. The exact LT precession frequencies for Kerr, Kerr–Taub–NUT (Newman–Unti–Tamburino) and Taub–NUT spacetimes are explicitly derived. Remarkably, in the case of the zero angular momentum Taub–NUT spacetime, the frame-dragging effect is shown not to vanish, when considered for spinning test gyroscopes. The result becomes sharper for the case of vanishing ADM mass of that spacetime. We clarify how our results are consistent with claims in the recent literature of null orbital plane precession for NUT spacetimes.