Strong Gravity Research Articles

Tidal excitation as mixing in thermal CFT

We use mixed correlators in thermal CFT as clean probes of the strong gravity effects in their holographic duals. The dual interpretation of mixing is an inelastic conversion of one field to another field, induced by gravity: tidal excitation. We find an enhanced mixing at high temperatures, corresponding to large AdS black holes, concentrated to small boundary momenta, dual to the deep bulk, where strong gravitational fields are expected. We also find large mathcal{O}left(1/{G}_Nright) tidal conversion in the low temperature phase of the U(N) vector model, strengthening suspicions that the bulk dual of this phase also houses extremely compact objects.

Nonlinear gravitational-wave memory from cusps and kinks on cosmic strings

The nonlinear memory effect is a fascinating prediction of general relativity (GR), in which oscillatory gravitational-wave (GW) signals are generically accompanied by a monotonically-increasing strain which persists in the detector long after the signal has passed. This effect is directly accessible to GW observatories, and presents a unique opportunity to test GR in the dynamical and nonlinear regime. In this article we calculate, for the first time, the nonlinear memory signal associated with GW bursts from cusps and kinks on cosmic string loops, which are an important target for current and future GW observatories. We obtain analytical waveforms for the GW memory from cusps and kinks, and use these to calculate the ‘memory of the memory’ and other higher-order memory effects. These are among the first memory observables computed for a cosmological source of GWs, with previous literature having focused almost entirely on astrophysical sources. Surprisingly, we find that the cusp GW signal diverges for sufficiently large loops, and argue that the most plausible explanation for this divergence is a breakdown in the weak-field treatment of GW emission from the cusp. This shows that previously-neglected strong gravity effects must play an important rôle near cusps, although the exact mechanism by which they cure the divergence is not currently understood. We show that one possible resolution is for these cusps to collapse to form primordial black holes (PBHs); the kink memory signal does not diverge, in agreement with the fact that kinks are not predicted to form PBHs. Finally, we investigate the prospects for detecting memory from cusps and kinks with current and future GW observatories, considering both individual memory bursts and the contribution of many such bursts to the stochastic GW background. We find that in the scenario where the cusp memory divergence is cured by PBH formation, the memory signal is strongly suppressed and is not likely to be detected. However, alternative resolutions of the cusp divergence may in principle lead to much more favourable observational prospects.

Quasiperiodic oscillations around rotating traversable wormholes

We study the quasi-periodic oscillations from the accretion disk around rotating traversable wormholes by means of the resonance models. We investigate the linear stability of the circular geodesic orbits in the equatorial plane for a general class of wormhole geometries deriving analytical expressions for the epicyclic frequencies. Since wormholes can often mimic black holes in the astrophysical observations, we analyze the properties of the quasi-circular oscillatory motion in comparison with the Kerr black hole. We demonstrate that wormholes possess distinctive features, which can be observationally significant. It is characteristic for the Kerr black hole that the orbital and the epicyclic frequencies obey a constant ordering in the whole range of the spin parameter. In contrast, for wormhole spacetimes we can have various types of orderings between the frequencies in the different regions of the parametric space. This enables the excitation of much more diverse types of resonances including parametric and forced resonances of lower order, which could lead to stronger observable signals. In addition, for co-rotating orbits the resonances can be excited in a very close neighbourhood of the wormhole throat for a wide range of values of the angular momentum, making wormholes a valuable laboratory for testing strong gravity.

Towards Precision Measurements of Accreting Black Holes Using X-Ray Reflection Spectroscopy

Relativistic reflection features are commonly observed in the X-ray spectra of accreting black holes. In the presence of high quality data and with the correct astrophysical model, X-ray reflection spectroscopy can be quite a powerful tool to probe the strong gravity region, study the morphology of the accreting matter, measure black hole spins, and possibly test Einstein's theory of general relativity in the strong field regime. In the last decade, there has been significant progress in the development of the analysis of these features, thanks to more sophisticated astrophysical models and new observational facilities. Here we review the state-of-the-art in relativistic reflection modeling, listing assumptions and simplifications that may affect, at some level, the final measurements and may be investigated better in the future. We review black hole spin measurements and the most recent efforts to use X-ray reflection spectroscopy for testing fundamental physics.

Merger-ringdown consistency: A new test of strong gravity using deep learning

The gravitational waves emitted during the coalescence of binary black holes are an excellent probe to test the behaviour of strong gravity. In this paper, we propose a new test called the `merger-ringdown consistency test` that focuses on probing the imprints of the dynamics in strong-gravity around the black-holes during the plunge-merger and ringdown phase. Furthermore, we present a scheme that allows us to efficiently combine information across multiple ringdown observations to perform a statistical null test of GR using the detected BH population. We present a proof-of-concept study for this test using simulated binary black hole ringdowns embedded in the next-generation ground-based detector noise. We demonstrate the feasibility of our test using a deep learning framework, setting a precedence for performing precision tests of gravity with neural networks.

Holography abhors visible trapped surfaces

We prove that consistency of the holographic dictionary implies a hallmark prediction of the weak cosmic censorship conjecture: that in classical gravity, trapped surfaces lie behind event horizons. In particular, the existence of a trapped surface implies the existence of an event horizon, and that furthermore this event horizon must be outside of the trapped surface. More precisely, we show that the formation of event horizons outside of a strong gravity region is a direct consequence of causal wedge inclusion, which is required by entanglement wedge reconstruction. We make few assumptions beyond the absence of evaporating singularities in strictly classical gravity. We comment on the implication that spacetimes with naked trapped surfaces do not admit a holographic dual, note a possible application to holographic complexity, and speculate on the dual CFT interpretation of a trapped surface.

Black Hole, Neutron Star and Numerical Relativity

Compact stars, e.g., black holes and neutron stars, are the most energetic objects in astrophysics. These objects are accompanied by extremely strong gravity and a high velocity, which approaches the speed of light. Therefore, compact objects should be dealt with in Einstein’s relativity. This article will briefly introduce a numerical method that will allow us to obtain general solutions in general relativity. Several applications using numerical relativistic simulations will also be presented.

Constraining alternatives to the Kerr black hole

ABSTRACT The recent observation of the shadow of the supermassive compact object M87* by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration has opened up a new window to probe the strong gravity regime. In this paper, we study shadows cast by two viable alternatives to the Kerr black hole, and compare them with the shadow of M87*. The first alternative is a horizonless compact object (HCO) having radius r0 and exterior Kerr geometry. The second one is a rotating generalization of the recently obtained one parameter (r0) static metric by Simpson and Visser. This latter metric, constructed using the Newman–Janis algorithm, is a special case of a parametrized rotating non-Kerr geometry obtained by Johannsen. Here, we constrain the parameter r0 of these alternatives using the results from M87* observation. We find that, for the mass, inclination angle and the angular diameter of the shadow of M87* reported by the EHT collaboration, the maximum value of the parameter r0 must be in the range 2.54r+ ≤ r0, max ≤ 3.51r+ for the dimensionless spin range 0.5 ≤ a* ≤ 0.94, with r+ being the outer horizon radius of the Kerr black hole at the corresponding spin value. We conclude that these black hole alternatives having r0 below this maximum range (i.e. r0 ≤ r0, max) is consistent with the size and deviation from circularity of the observed shadow of M87*.

Regular black holes and gravitational particle-like solutions in generic DHOST theories

We construct regular, asymptotically flat black holes of higher order scalar tensor (DHOST) theories, which are obtained by making use of a generalized Kerr-Schild solution generating method. The solutions depend on a mass integration constant, admit a smooth core of chosen regularity, and generically have an inner and outer event horizon. In particular, below a certain mass threshold, we find massive, horizonless, particle-like solutions. We scan through possible observational signatures ranging from weak to strong gravity and study the thermodynamics of our regular solutions, comparing them, when possible, to General Relativity black holes and their thermodynamic laws.

Constraints on black-hole charges with the 2017 EHT observations of M87*

Our understanding of strong gravity near supermassive compact objects has recently improved thanks to the measurements made by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). We use here the M87* shadow size to infer constraints on the physical charges of a large variety of nonrotating or rotating black holes. For example, we show that the quality of the measurements is already sufficient to rule out that M87* is a highly charged dilaton black hole. Similarly, when considering black holes with two physical and independent charges, we are able to exclude considerable regions of the space of parameters for the doubly-charged dilaton and the Sen black holes.

The high energy Universe at ultra-high resolution: the power and promise of X-ray interferometry

We propose the development of X-ray interferometry (XRI), to reveal the Universe at high energies with ultra-high spatial resolution. With baselines which can be accommodated on a single spacecraft, XRI can reach 100 μ as resolution at 10 Å (1.2 keV) and 20 μ as at 2 Å (6 keV), enabling imaging and imaging-spectroscopy of (for example) X-ray coronae of nearby accreting supermassive black holes (SMBH) and the SMBH ‘shadow’; SMBH accretion flows and outflows; X-ray binary winds and orbits; stellar coronae within sim 100 pc and many exoplanets which transit across them. For sufficiently luminous sources XRI will resolve sub-pc scales across the entire observable Universe, revealing accreting binary SMBHs and enabling trigonometric measurements of the Hubble constant with X-ray light echoes from quasars or explosive transients. A multi-spacecraft ‘constellation’ interferometer would resolve well below 1 μ as, enabling SMBH event horizons to be resolved in many active galaxies and the detailed study of the effects of strong field gravity on the dynamics and emission from accreting gas close to the black hole.

A deep study of the high\u2013energy transient sky

The coming decades will establish the exploration of the gravitational wave (GW) Universe over a broad frequency range by ground and space interferometers. Meanwhile, wide-field, high-cadence and sensitive surveys will span the electromagnetic spectrum from radio all the way up to TeV, as well as the high-energy neutrino window. Among the numerous classes of transients, γ–ray bursts (GRBs) have direct links with most of the hot topics that will be addressed, such as the strong gravity regime, relativistic shocks, particle acceleration processes, equation of state of matter at nuclear density, and nucleosynthesis of heavy elements, just to mention a few. Other recently discovered classes of transients that are observed throughout cosmological distances include fast radio bursts (FRBs), fast blue optical transients (FBOTs), and other unidentified high-energy transients. Here we discuss how these topics can be addressed by a mission called ASTENA (Advanced Surveyor of Transient Events and Nuclear Astrophysics, see Frontera et al. 18). Its payload combines two instruments: (i) an array of wide-field monitors with imaging, spectroscopic, and polarimetric capabilities (WFM-IS); (ii) a narrow field telescope (NFT) based on a Laue lens operating in the 50–600 keV range with unprecedented angular resolution, polarimetric capabilities, and sensitivity.

Testing the black hole no-hair theorem with Galactic Center stellar orbits

Theoretical investigations have provided proof-of-principle calculations suggesting measurements of stellar or pulsar orbits near the Galactic Center could strongly constrain the properties of the Galactic Center black hole, local matter, and even the theory of gravity itself. In this work, we develop both a Markov chain Monte Carlo and an analytic model (Fisher matrix) to understand what properties are well-constrained and why. We conclude that existing astrometric measurements cannot constrain the spin of the Galactic Center black hole. Extrapolating to the precision and cadence of future experiments, we anticipate that the black hole spin can be measured with the known star S2. Our calculations show that we can measure the dimensionless black hole spin to a precision of $\sim$0.1 with weekly measurements of the orbit of S2 for 40 years using the GRAVITY telescope's best resolution at the Galactic Center. An analytic expression is derived for the measurement uncertainty of the black hole spin using the Fisher matrix in terms of observation strategy, star's orbital parameters, and instrument resolution. From it, we conclude that highly eccentric orbits can provide better constraints on the spin and that an orbit with a higher eccentricity is more favorable even when the orbital period is longer. We also apply it to S62, S4711, and S4714 and show whether they can constrain the black hole spin sooner than S2. If in addition, future measurements include the discovery of a new, tighter stellar orbit, then future data could conceivably enable tests of strong field gravity, by directly measuring the black hole quadrupole moment. Our simulations show that with a stellar orbit similar to that of S2 but at one-fifth the distance to the Galactic Center and GRAVITY's resolution limits, we can start to test the no-hair theorem with 20 years of weekly orbital measurements.

Embedding Gauss–Bonnet Scalarization Models in Higher Dimensional Topological Theories

In the presence of appropriate non-minimal couplings between a scalar field and the curvature squared Gauss–Bonnet (GB) term, compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes (BHs) can spontaneously scalarize, becoming a preferred vacuum. Such strong gravity phase transitions have attracted considerable attention recently. The non-minimal coupling functions that allow this mechanism are, however, always postulated ad hoc. Here, we point out that families of such functions naturally emerge in the context of Higgs–Chern–Simons gravity models, which are found as dimensionally descents of higher dimensional, purely topological, Chern–Pontryagin non-Abelian densities. As a proof of concept, we study spherically symmetric scalarized BH solutions in a particular Einstein-GB-scalar field model, whose coupling is obtained from this construction, pointing out novel features and caveats thereof. The possibility of vectorization is also discussed, since this construction also originates vector fields non-minimally coupled to the GB invariant.

The Role of Strong Gravity and the Nuclear Equation of State on Neutron-star Common-envelope Accretion

Abstract Common-envelope evolution is important in the formation of neutron star binaries within the isolated binary formation channel. As a neutron star inspirals within the envelope of a primary massive star, it accretes and spins up. Because neutron stars are in the strong-gravity regime, they have a substantial relativistic mass deficit, i.e., their gravitational mass is less than their baryonic mass. This effect causes some fraction of the accreted baryonic mass to convert into neutron star binding energy. The relativistic mass deficit also depends on the nuclear equation of state, since more compact neutron stars will have larger binding energies. We model the mass growth and spin-up of neutron stars inspiraling within common-envelope environments and quantify how different initial binary conditions and hadronic equations of state affect the post-common-envelope neutron star’s mass and spin. From these models, we find that neutron star mass growth is suppressed by ≈15%–30%. We also find that for a given amount of accreted baryonic mass, more compact neutron stars will spin-up faster while gaining less gravitational mass, and vice versa. This work demonstrates that a neutron star’s strong gravity and nuclear microphysics plays a role in neutron-star-common-envelope evolution, in addition to the macroscopic astrophysics of the envelope. Strong gravity and the nuclear equation of state may thus affect both the population properties of neutron star binaries and the cosmic double neutron star merger rate.

Holographic Foam Cosmology: From the Late to the Early Universe

Quantum fluctuations endow spacetime with a foamy texture. The degree of foaminess is dictated by black hole physics to be of the holographic type. Applied to cosmology, the holographic foam model predicts the existence of dark energy with critical energy density in the current (late) universe, the quanta of which obey infinite statistics. Furthermore, we use the deep similarities between turbulence and the spacetime foam phase of strong quantum gravity to argue that the early universe was in a turbulent regime when it underwent a brief cosmic inflation with a “graceful” transition to a laminar regime. In this scenario, both the late and the early cosmic accelerations have their origins in spacetime foam.

A Compact Rayleigh Autonomous Lidar (CORAL) for the middle atmosphere

Abstract. The Compact Rayleigh Autonomous Lidar (CORAL) is the first fully autonomous middle atmosphere lidar system to provide density and temperature profiles from 15 to approximately 90 km altitude. From October 2019 to October 2020, CORAL acquired temperature profiles on 243 out of the 365 nights (66 %) above Río Grande, southern Argentina, a cadence which is 3–8 times larger as compared to conventional human-operated lidars. The result is an unprecedented data set with measurements on 2 out of 3 nights on average and high temporal (20 min) and vertical (900 m) resolution. The first studies using CORAL data have shown, for example, the evolution of a strong atmospheric gravity wave event and its impact on the stratospheric circulation. We describe the instrument and its novel software which enables automatic and unattended observations over periods of more than a year. A frequency-doubled diode-pumped pulsed Nd:YAG laser is used as the light source, and backscattered photons are detected using three elastic channels (532 nm wavelength) and one Raman channel (608 nm wavelength). Automatic tracking of the laser beam is realized by the implementation of the conical scan (conscan) method. The CORAL software detects blue sky conditions and makes the decision to start the instrument based on local meteorological measurements, detection of stars in all-sky images, and analysis of European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasts Integrated Forecasting System data. After the instrument is up and running, the strength of the lidar return signal is used as additional information to assess sky conditions. Safety features in the software allow for the operation of the lidar even in marginal weather, which is a prerequisite to achieving the very high observation cadence.

Particle Dynamics in 3D Self-gravitating Disks. II. Strong Gas Accretion and Thin Dust Disks

Abstract Observations suggest that protoplanetary disks have moderate accretion rates onto the central young star, especially at early stages (e.g., HL Tau), indicating moderate disk turbulence. However, recent ALMA observations suggest that dust is highly settled, implying weak turbulence. Motivated by such tension, we carry out 3D stratified local simulations of self-gravitating disks, focusing on the settling of dust particles in actively accreting disks. We find that gravitationally unstable disks can have moderately high accretion rates while maintaining a relatively thin dust disk for two reasons. First, accretion stress from the self-gravitating spirals (self-gravity stress) can be stronger than the stress from turbulence (Reynolds stress) by a factor of 5–20. Second, the strong gravity from the gas to the dust decreases the dust scale height by another factor of ∼2. Furthermore, the turbulence is slightly anisotropic, producing a larger Reynolds stress than the vertical dust diffusion coefficient. Thus, gravitoturbulent disks have unusually high vertical Schmidt numbers (Sc z ) if we scale the total accretion stress with the vertical diffusion coefficient (e.g., Sc z ∼ 10–100). The reduction of the dust scale height by the gas gravity should also operate in gravitationally stable disks (Q > 1). Gravitational forces between particles become more relevant for the concentration of intermediate dust sizes, forming dense clouds of dust. After comparing with HL Tau observations, our results suggest that self-gravity and gravity among different disk components could be crucial for solving the conflict between the protoplanetary disk accretion and dust settling, at least at the early stages.

Relativistic Reflection in NGC 4151

Abstract We investigate the X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 using the simultaneous Suzaku/NuSTAR observation and flux-resolved INTEGRAL spectra supplemented by Suzaku and XMM observations. Our best spectral solution indicates that the narrow Fe Kα line is produced in Compton-thin matter at a distance of several hundred gravitational radii. In such a model, we find a weak but significant relativistic reflection from a disk truncated at about 10 gravitational radii when the source is in bright X-ray states. We do not find evidence either for or against the presence of relativistic reflection in the dim X-ray state. We also rule out models with X-ray emission dominated by a source located very close to the black hole horizon, which was proposed in previous works implementing the lamppost geometry for this source. We point out that accurate computation of the thermal Comptonization spectrum and its distortion by strong gravity is crucial in applications of the lamppost geometry to the NuSTAR data.

Black holes in a type-II minimally modified gravity

In the context of the recently proposed type-II minimally modified gravity theory, i.e. a metric theory of gravity with two local physical degrees of freedom that does not possess an Einstein frame, we study spherically symmetric vacuum solutions to explore the strong gravity regime. Despite the absence of extra degrees of freedom in the gravity sector, the vacuum solutions are locally different from the Schwarzschild or Schwarzschild-(A)dS metric in general and thus the Birkhoff theorem does not hold. The general solutions are parameterized by several free functions of time and admit regular trapping and event horizons. Depending on the choice of the free functions of time, the null convergence condition may be violated in vacuum. Even in the static limit, while the solutions in this limit reduce to the Schwarzschild or Schwarzschild-(A)dS solutions, the effective cosmological constant deduced from the solutions is in general different from the cosmological value that is determined by the action. Nonetheless, once a set of suitable asymptotic conditions is imposed so that the solutions represent compact objects in the corresponding cosmological setup, the standard Schwarzschild or Schwarzschild-(A)dS metric is recovered and the effective cosmological constant agrees with the value inferred from the action.