Proca Theory Research Articles

Theory of interacting vector dark energy and fluid

In this work, we study interaction between dark energy and dark matter, where dark energy is described by a massive vector field, and dark matter is modelled as a fluid. We present a new interaction term, which affects only perturbations and can give interesting phenomenology. Then we present a general Lagrangian for the interacting vector dark energy with dark matter. For the dark energy, we choose Proca theory with G 3 term to study its phenomenological consequence. For this model, we explore both background and perturbation dynamics. We also present the no-ghost condition for tensor modes, vector modes and scalar modes. Subsequently, we also study the evolution of the overdensities of both baryon and cold dark matter in the high-k limit. We show that the effective gravitational coupling is modified for cold dark matter and baryon. We also choose a simple concrete model and numerically show a suppression of the effective gravitational coupling for cold dark matter. However, in this simple model, the suppression of the effective gravitational coupling does not result in a suppression of the matter overdensity compared to that in the ΛCDM model due to the modified background expansion.

Chromoelectric flux tubes within non-Abelian Proca theory

Flux tube solutions within non-Abelian SU(3) Proca theory with external sources are obtained. It is shown that such tubes have a longitudinal chromoelectric field possessing two components (nonlinear and gradient), as well as a transverse chromomagnetic field whose force lines create concentric circles with the center on the axis of the tube. The scenario of a possible relationship between non-Abelian Proca theory and quantum chromodynamics is considered. In such scenario: (a) the components of color fields have different behavior: those which are almost classical, and those which are purely quantum; (b) the second components create a gluon condensate that is a source of the field for the almost classical components of the Proca field; (c) Proca masses may appear as a result of an approximate description of the gluon condensate; (d) the question of gauge invariance is considered. It is shown that the results obtained are in good agreement with the results of lattice calculations. We make an assumption that an approximate description of a flux tube in quantum chromodynamics can be carried out using classical Proca equations but with a mandatory account of a gluon condensate.

Dynamical edge modes and entanglement in Maxwell theory

Previous work on black hole partition functions and entanglement entropy suggests the existence of “edge” degrees of freedom living on the (stretched) horizon. We identify a local and “shrinkable” boundary condition on the stretched horizon that gives rise to such degrees of freedom. They can be interpreted as the Goldstone bosons of gauge transformations supported on the boundary, with the electric field component normal to the boundary as their symplectic conjugate. Applying the covariant phase space formalism for manifolds with boundary, we show that both the symplectic form and Hamiltonian exhibit a bulk-edge split. We then show that the thermal edge partition function is that of a codimension-two ghost compact scalar living on the horizon. In the context of a de Sitter static patch, this agrees with the edge partition functions found by Anninos et al. in arbitrary dimensions. It also yields a 4D entanglement entropy consistent with the conformal anomaly. Generalizing to Proca theory, we find that the prescription of Donnelly and Wall reproduces existing results for its edge partition function, while its classical phase space does not exhibit a bulk-edge split.

Constraint structure of the generalized Proca model in the Lagrangian formalism

We introduce a novel Lagrangian approach to analyze the dynamical structure of the generalized Proca theory (GP). This method incorporates the A-Z constraint structure of the model within the Lagrangian formalism, providing a precise determination of the degrees of freedom. Furthermore, we present a comprehensive analysis of the model's Hamiltonian constraint structure.

Reference frame dependence of the periodically oscillating Coulomb field in the Proca theory

The Proca theory of the real massive vector field admits non-equilibrium solutions, where the asymptotic dynamics of the electric field is dominated by the periodically oscillating Coulomb component. We discuss how such field configurations are seen in different reference frames, where we find an intriguing spatial pattern of the vector field of the Proca theory and the electromagnetic field associated with it. Our studies are carried out in the framework of the classical Proca theory.

CMB spectrum in unified EFT of dark energy: scalar-tensor and vector-tensor theories

We study the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation in the unified description of the effective field theory (EFT) of dark energy that accommodates both scalar-tensor and vector-tensor theories. The boundaries of different classes of theories are universally parameterised by a new EFT parameter αV characterising the vectorial nature of dark energy and a set of consistency relations associated with the global/local shift symmetry. After implementing the equations of motion in a Boltzmann code, as a demonstration, we compute the CMB power spectrum based on the wCDM background with the EFT parameterisation of perturbations and a concrete Horndeski/generalised Proca theory. We show that the vectorial nature generically prevents modifications of gravity in the CMB spectrum. On the other hand, while the shift symmetry is less significant in the perturbation equations unless the background is close to the ΛCDM, it requires that the effective equation of state of dark energy is in the phantom region w DE<-1. The latter is particularly interesting in light of the latest result of the DESI+CMB combination as the observational verification of w DE>-1 can rule out shift-symmetric theories including vector-tensor theories in one shot.

Electromagnetic fields and radiation from localized current source interacting with a cosmic axion field in the context of massive axion electrodynamics

Electromagnetic fields from localized current source interacting with an oscillatory cosmic axion field are studied, accounting for the possibility of a finite photon mass. In particular, focus will be on the dipole radiation from static current sources. The Proca theory is generalized to include the axion field and solutions to the modified EM field equations are obtained to first order in the axion coupling parameter. Analysis of the interplay between the two vanishingly small parameters – the axion mass (via the coupling constant and the oscillating frequency) and the photon mass – is carried out with reference to possible future detection of the cosmic axion and/or the photon mass via electromagnetic interaction with the axion.

Massive gravity from a first-quantized perspective

In this work, we investigate the BRST quantization of the massive N=4\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\mathcal {N}}=4$$\\end{document} supersymmetric spinning particle, with a twofold purpose: exploring different approaches to give mass to spinning particle models and formulating a first-quantized theory for massive gravity on both flat and curved spacetime. The main contribution of this study is the development of a worldline formulation of the linear theory of massive gravity, namely of the Fierz–Pauli theory, on a curved spacetime; such a theory describes the propagation of massive spin 2 particle on a non-flat background. Our results suggest that achieving the nilpotency of the BRST charge requires an Einstein spacetime with vanishing cosmological constant as the only viable consistent background. In the course of the analysis, we take the N=2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\mathcal {N}}=2$$\\end{document} supersymmetric worldline as an exemplificative model, correctly producing the Proca theory on curved spacetime. Our analysis shows that the associated BRST system uniquely selects the minimal coupling to the background curvature.

Unimodular proca theory: breaking the U(1) gauge symmetry of unimodular gravity via a mass term

We study the Hamiltonian structure of unimodular-like theories, where the cosmological constant (or other supposed constants of nature) are demoted from fixed parameters to classical constants of motion. No new local degrees of freedom are present as a result of a U(1) gauge invariance of the theory. Hamiltonian analysis of the action reveals that the only possible gauge fixing that can be enforced is setting the spatial components of the four-volume time vector Ti≈0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\mathcal{T}^{i}\\approx 0$$\\end{document}. As a consequence of this, the gauge-fixed unimodular path integral is equivalent to the minisuperspace unimodular path integral. However, should we break the U(1) gauge invariance, two things happen: a massless propagating degree of freedom appears, and the (gauge-invariant) zero-mode receives modified dynamics. The implications are investigated, with the phenomenology depending crucially on the target “constant”.

Polarization modes of gravitational waves in generalized Proca theory

Polarization modes of gravitational waves in generalized Proca theory

Fermion Proca Stars: Vector-Dark-Matter-Admixed Neutron Stars

Dark matter could accumulate around neutron stars in sufficient amounts to affect their global properties. In this work, we study the effect of a specific model for dark matter—a massive and self-interacting vector (spin-1) field—on neutron stars. We describe the combined systems of neutron stars and vector dark matter using Einstein–Proca theory coupled to a nuclear matter term and find scaling relations between the field and metric components in the equations of motion. We construct equilibrium solutions of the combined systems, compute their masses and radii, and also analyze their stability and higher modes. The combined systems admit dark matter (DM) core and cloud solutions. Core solutions compactify the neutron star component and tend to decrease the total mass of the combined system. Cloud solutions have the inverse effect. Electromagnetic observations of certain cloud-like configurations would appear to violate the Buchdahl limit. This could make Buchdahl-limit-violating objects smoking gun signals for dark matter in neutron stars. The self-interaction strength is found to significantly affect both mass and radius. We also compare fermion Proca stars to objects where the dark matter is modeled using a complex scalar field. We find that fermion Proca stars tend to be more massive and geometrically larger than their scalar field counterparts for equal boson masses and self-interaction strengths. Both systems can produce degenerate masses and radii for different amounts of DM and DM particle masses.

On the Interaction of Massive Photons and Mechanical Oscillators in Cavity Optomechanics: Basic Model and Quantization

AbstractThis study investigates the theoretical aspects of the interaction between photons with mass and a mechanical oscillator as drawn within the framework of cavity optomechanics. The study employs Proca theory as the mathematical framework to initially describe the dynamics of massive photons in a Fabry‐Perot cavity with a movable mass, both in classical and quantum scenarios. It quantifies the modifications induced by the nonzero photon mass, considering first‐ and second‐order effects, and derives expressions for the amplification of radiation pressure resulting from the presence of nonzero photon mass. Additionally, it derives the Hamiltonian of the quantum optomechanical system, incorporating the effects of photon mass at first and second order. It anticipates that experimental realization of massive optomechanics can be achieved by utilizing Proca material, which is a spatio‐temporally dispersive material that exhibits behavior equivalent to Proca theory in a vacuum, thus enabling the study of the interaction between massive photons and mechanical systems in cavity‐based optomechanical setups (referred to as massive cavity optomechanics). The study presented here caters to a diverse audience with an interest in the analysis and measurement of interactions among massive objects at the quantum scale.

Non-equilibrium dynamics of dipole-charged fields in the Proca theory

We discuss the dynamics of field configurations encoded in the certain class of electric (magnetic) dipole-charged states in the Proca theory of the real massive vector field. We construct such states so as to ensure that the long-distance structure of the mean electromagnetic field in them is initially set by the formula describing the electromagnetic field of the electric (magnetic) dipole. We analyze then how such a mean electromagnetic field evolves in time. We find that far away from the center of the initial field configuration, the long-range component of the mean electromagnetic field harmonically oscillates, which leads to the phenomenon of the periodic oscillations of the electric (magnetic) dipole moment. We also find that near the center of the initial field configuration, the mean electromagnetic field escapes from its initial arrangement and a spherical shock wave propagating with the speed of light appears in the studied system. A curious configuration of the axisymmetric mean electric field is found to accompany the mean magnetic field in magnetic dipole-charged states.

Action principle of Galilean relativistic Proca theory

In this paper, we discuss Galilean relativistic Proca theory in detail. We first provide a set of mapping relations, derived systematically, that connect the covariant and contravariant vectors in the Lorentz relativistic and Galilean relativistic formulations. Exploiting this map, we construct the two limits of Galilean relativistic Proca theory from usual Proca theory in the potential formalism for both contravariant and covariant vectors which are now distinct entities. An action formalism is thereby derived from which the field equations are obtained and their internal consistency is shown. Next we construct Noether currents and show their on-shell conservation. We introduce analogues of Maxwell’s electric and magnetic fields and recast the entire analysis in terms of these fields. Explicit invariance under Galilean transformations is shown for both electric/magnetic limits. We then move to discuss Stuckelberg embedded Proca model in the Galilean framework.

New non-Abelian Reissner-Nordström black hole solutions in the generalized SU(2) Proca theory and some astrophysical implications

New non-Abelian Reissner-Nordström black hole solutions in the generalized SU(2) Proca theory and some astrophysical implications

Periodic charge oscillations in the Proca theory

We consider the Proca theory of the real massive vector field. There is a locally conserved 4-current operator in such a theory, which one may use to define the charge operator. Accordingly, there are charged states in which the expectation value of the charge operator is non-zero. We take a close look at the charge operator and study the dynamics of the certain class of charged states. For this purpose, we discuss the mean electric field and 4-current in such states. The mean electric field has the periodically oscillating Coulomb component, whose presence explains the periodic charge oscillations. A complementary insight at such a phenomenon is provided by the mean 4-current, whose discussion leads to the identification of a certain paradox. Last but not least, we show that there is a shock wave propagating in the studied system, which affects analyticity of the mean electric field and 4-current.

Probing geometric proca in metric-palatini gravity with black hole shadow and photon motion

Extended metric-Palatini gravity, quadratic in the antisymmetric part of the affine curvature, is known to lead to the general relativity plus a geometric Proca field. The geometric Proca, equivalent of the non-metricity vector in the torsion-free affine connection, qualifies to be a distinctive signature of the affine curvature. In the present work, we explore how shadow and photon motion near black holes can be used to probe the geometric Proca field. To this end, we derive static spherically symmetric field equations of this Einstein-geometric Proca theory, and show that it admits black hole solutions in asymptotically AdS background. We perform a detailed study of the optical properties and shadow of this black hole and contrast them with the observational data by considering black hole environments with and without plasma. As a useful astrophysical application, we discuss constraints on the Proca field parameters using the observed angular size of the shadow of supermassive black holes M87^* and Sgr A^* in both vacuum and plasma cases. Overall, we find that the geometric Proca can be probed via the black hole observations.

Particle-like solutions in the generalized SU(2) Proca theory

The generalized SU(2) Proca theory is a vector-tensor modified gravity theory where the action is invariant under both diffeomorphisms and global internal transformations of the SU(2) group. This work constitutes the first approach to investigate the physical properties of the theory at astrophysical scales.We have found solutions that naturally generalize the particle-like solutions of the Einstein-Yang-Mills equations, also known as gauge boson stars.Under the requirement that the solutions must be static, asymptotically flat, and globally regular, the t'Hooft-Polyakov magnetic monopole configuration for the vector field rises as one viable possibility. The solutions have been obtained analytically through asymptotic expansions and numerically by solving the boundary value problem. We have found new features in the solutions such as regions with negative effective energy density and imaginary effective charge. We have also obtained a new kind of globally charged solutions for some region in the parameter space of the theory. Furthermore, we have constructed equilibrium sequences and found turning points in some cases. These results hint towards the existence of stable solutions which are absent in the Einstein-Yang-Mills case.

Electric field-based quantization of the gauge invariant Proca theory

We consider the gauge invariant version of the Proca theory, where besides the real vector field there is also the real scalar field. We quantize the theory such that the commutator of the scalar field operator and the electric field operator is given by a predefined three-dimensional vector field, say $\cal E$ up to a global prefactor. This happens when the field operators of the gauge invariant Proca theory satisfy the proper gauge constraint. In particular, we show that $\cal E$ given by the classical Coulomb field leads to the Coulomb gauge constraint making the vector field operator divergenceless. We also show that physically unreadable gauge constraints can have a strikingly simple $\cal E$-representation in our formalism. This leads to the discussion of Debye, Yukawa, etc. gauges. In general terms, we explore the mapping between classical vector fields and gauge constraints imposed on the operators of the studied theory.

Geometric Proca with matter in metric-Palatini gravity

In the present work, we study linear, torsion-free metric-Palatini gravity, extended by the quadratics of the antisymmetric part of the Ricci tensor and extended also by the presence of the affine connection in the matter sector. We show that this extended metric-Palatini gravity reduces dynamically to the general relativity plus a geometrical massive vector field corresponding to non-metricity of the connection. We also show that this geometric Proca field couples to fermions universally. We derive static, spherically symmetric field equations of this Einstein-geometric Proca theory. We study possibility of black hole solutions by taking into account the presence of a dust distribution that couples to the geometric Proca. Our analytical and numerical analyses show that the presence of this dust worsens the possibility of horizon formation. We briefly discuss possible roles of this universally-coupled geometric Proca in the astrophysical and collider processes.