• Dark radiation as a probe for phase transition in the early universe

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The cosmological constant is not necessarily small in the early universe. If a scalar field obtains a vacuum expectation value after a phase transition (PT), a possibly large cosmological constant could present before PT. The early cosmological constant (ECC) and the PT process may be detectable from dark radiation (DR) today, such as in the cosmic axion background. We show that for a broad class of DR models, the DR density and spectrum are significantly modified by the presence of an ECC. From the density and the spectrum of the DR today, we can deduce the temperature and the strength of the PT.

  • Bumblebee black holes in light of Event Horizon Telescope observations

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We report the existence of novel static spherical black-hole solutions in a vector-tensor gravitational theory called the bumblebee gravity model which extends the Einstein-Maxwell theory by allowing the vector to nonminimally couple to the Ricci curvature tensor. A test of the solutions in the strong-field regime is performed for the first time using the recent observations of the supermassive black-hole shadows in the galaxy M87 and the Milky Way from the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. The parameter space is found largely unexcluded and more experiments are needed to fully bound the theory.

  • Bumblebee black holes in light of Event Horizon Telescope observations

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We report the existence of novel static spherical black-hole solutions in a vector-tensor gravitational theory called the bumblebee gravity model which extends the Einstein-Maxwell theory by allowing the vector to nonminimally couple to the Ricci curvature tensor. A test of the solutions in the strong-field regime is performed for the first time using the recent observations of the supermassive black-hole shadows in the galaxy M87 and the Milky Way from the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration. The parameter space is found largely unexcluded and more experiments are needed to fully bound the theory.

  • Prospects for detecting exoplanets around double white dwarfs with LISA and Taiji

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Recently, Tamanini & Danielski (2019) discussed the possibility to detect circumbinary exoplanets (CBPs) orbiting double white dwarfs (DWDs) with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Extending their methods and criteria, we discuss the prospects for detecting exoplanets around DWDs not only by LISA, but also by Taiji, a Chinese space-borne gravitational-wave (GW) mission which has a slightly better sensitivity at low frequencies. We first explore how different binary masses and mass ratios affect the abilities of LISA and Taiji to detect CBPs. Second, for certain known detached DWDs with high signal-to-noise ratios, we quantify the possibility of CBP detections around them. Third, based on the DWD population obtained from the Mock LISA Data Challenge, we present basic assessments of the CBP detections in our Galaxy during a 4-year mission time for LISA and Taiji. We discuss the constraints on the detectable zone of each system, as well as the distributions of the inner/outer edge of the detectable zone. Based on the DWD population, we further inject two different planet distributions with an occurrence rate of $50\%$ and constrain the total detection rates. We finally briefly discuss the prospects for detecting habitable CBPs around DWDs with a simplified model. These results can provide helpful inputs for upcoming exoplanetary projects and help analyze planetary systems after the common envelope phase.

  • Extending the Fisher Information Matrix in Gravitational-wave Data Analysis

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The Fisher information matrix (FM) plays an important role in forecasts and inferences in many areas of physics. While giving fast parameter estimation with the Gaussian likelihood approximation in the parameter space, the FM can only give the ellipsoidal posterior contours of parameters and lose the higher-order information beyond Gaussianity. We extend the FM in gravitational-wave (GW) data analysis using the Derivative Approximation for LIkelihoods (DALI), a method to expand the likelihood while keeping it positive definite and normalizable at every order, for more accurate forecasts and inferences. When applied to the two real GW events, GW150914 and GW170817, DALI can reduce the difference between FM approximation and the real posterior by 5 times in the best case. The calculation time of DALI and FM is at the same order of magnitude, while obtaining the real full posterior will take several orders of magnitude longer. Besides more accurate approximations, higher-order correction from DALI provides a fast assessment on the FM analysis and gives suggestions for complex sampling techniques which are computationally intensive. We recommend using the DALI method as an extension to the FM method in GW data analysis to pursue better accuracy while still keeping the speed.

  • NANOGrav Signal from First-Order Confinement/Deconfinement Phase Transition in Different QCD Matters

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Recently, an indicative evidence of a stochastic process, reported by the NANOGrav Collaboration based on the analysis of 12.5-year pulsar timing array data which might be interpreted as a potential stochastic gravitational wave signal, has aroused keen interest of theorists. The first-order color charge confinement phase transition at the QCD scale could be one of the cosmological sources for the NANOGrav signal. If the phase transition is flavor dependent and happens sequentially, it is important to find that what kind of QCD matter in which the first-order confinement/deconfinement phase transition happens is more likely to be the potential source of the NANOGrav signal during the evolution of the universe. In this paper, we would like to illustrate that the NANOGrav signal could be generated from confinement/deconfinement transition in either heavy static quarks with a zero baryon chemical potential, or quarks with a finite baryon chemical potential. In contrast, the gluon confinement could not possibly be the source for the NANOGrav signal according to the current observation. Future observation will help to distinguish between different scenarios.

  • Dark-siren Cosmology with Decihertz Gravitational-wave Detectors

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Gravitational waves (GWs) originated from mergers of stellar-mass binary black holes (SBBHs) are considered as dark sirens in cosmology since they usually do not have electromagnetic counterparts. In order to study cosmos with these events, we not only need the luminosity distances extracted from GW signals, but also require the redshift information of sources via, say, matching GW sky localization with galaxy catalogs. Based on such a methodology, we explore how well decihertz GW detectors, DO-Optimal and DECIGO, can constrain cosmological parameters. Using Monte-Carlo simulated dark sirens, we find that DO-Optimal can constrain the Hubble parameter to ${\sigma_{H_0}} / {H_0}\, \lesssim 0.23\%$ when estimating $H_0$ alone, while DECIGO performs better by a factor of 5 with ${\sigma_{H_0}} / {H_0}\lesssim 0.043\%$. Such a good precision of $H_0$ will shed light on the $H_0$ tension. For multiple-parameter estimation, DECIGO can still reach a level of relative uncertainty smaller than $7\%$. The reason why decihertz detectors perform well is explained by their large numbers of SBBH GW events with good distance and angular resolution.

  • Dark-siren Cosmology with Decihertz Gravitational-wave Detectors

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Gravitational waves (GWs) originated from mergers of stellar-mass binary black holes (SBBHs) are considered as dark sirens in cosmology since they usually do not have electromagnetic counterparts. In order to study cosmos with these events, we not only need the luminosity distances extracted from GW signals, but also require the redshift information of sources via, say, matching GW sky localization with galaxy catalogs. Based on such a methodology, we explore how well decihertz GW detectors, DO-Optimal and DECIGO, can constrain cosmological parameters. Using Monte-Carlo simulated dark sirens, we find that DO-Optimal can constrain the Hubble parameter to ${\sigma_{H_0}} / {H_0}\, \lesssim 0.23\%$ when estimating $H_0$ alone, while DECIGO performs better by a factor of 5 with ${\sigma_{H_0}} / {H_0}\lesssim 0.043\%$. Such a good precision of $H_0$ will shed light on the $H_0$ tension. For multiple-parameter estimation, DECIGO can still reach a level of relative uncertainty smaller than $7\%$. The reason why decihertz detectors perform well is explained by their large numbers of SBBH GW events with good distance and angular resolution.

  • Precession of magnetars: dynamical evolutions and modulations on polarized electromagnetic waves

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Magnetars are conjectured to be highly magnetized neutron stars (NSs). Strong internal magnetic field and elasticity in the crust may deform the stars and lead to free precession. We study the precession dynamics of triaxially-deformed NSs incorporating the near-field and the far-field electromagnetic torques. We obtain timing residuals for different NS geometries and torques. We also investigate the polarized X-ray and radio signals from precessing magnetars. The modulations on the Stokes parameters are obtained for thermal X-rays emitted from the surface of magnetars. For radio signals, we apply the simple rotating vector model (RVM) to give the modulations on the position angle (PA) of the polarization. Our results are comprehensive, ready to be used to search for magnetar precession with timing data and polarizations of X-ray and radio emissions. Future observations of precessing magnetars will give us valuable information on the geometry and the strength of the strong magnetic fields, the emission geometry, as well as the equation of state (EoS) of NSs.

  • Precession of magnetars: dynamical evolutions and modulations on polarized electromagnetic waves

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Magnetars are conjectured to be highly magnetized neutron stars (NSs). Strong internal magnetic field and elasticity in the crust may deform the stars and lead to free precession. We study the precession dynamics of triaxially-deformed NSs incorporating the near-field and the far-field electromagnetic torques. We obtain timing residuals for different NS geometries and torques. We also investigate the polarized X-ray and radio signals from precessing magnetars. The modulations on the Stokes parameters are obtained for thermal X-rays emitted from the surface of magnetars. For radio signals, we apply the simple rotating vector model (RVM) to give the modulations on the position angle (PA) of the polarization. Our results are comprehensive, ready to be used to search for magnetar precession with timing data and polarizations of X-ray and radio emissions. Future observations of precessing magnetars will give us valuable information on the geometry and the strength of the strong magnetic fields, the emission geometry, as well as the equation of state (EoS) of NSs.

  • The Precursor of GRB211211A: A Tide-induced Giant Quake?

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2024-02-28 合作期刊: 《Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics》

    摘要: The equilibrium configuration of a solid strange star in the final inspiral phase with another compact object is generally discussed, and the starquake-related issue is revisited, for a special purpose to understand the precursor emission of binary compact star merger events (e.g., that of GRB211211A). As the binary system inspirals inward due to gravitational wave radiation, the ellipticity of the solid strangeon star increases due to the growing tidal field of its compact companion. Elastic energy is hence accumulated during the inspiral stage which might trigger a starquake before the merger when the energy exceeds a critical value. The energy released during such starquakes is calculated and compared to the precursor observation of GRB211211A. The result shows that the energy might be insufficient for binary strangeon-star case unless the entire solid strangeon star shatters, and hence favors a black hole-strangeon star scenario for GRB211211A. The timescale of the precursor as well as the frequency of the observed quasi-periodic-oscillation have also been discussed in the starquake model.

  • Kilonova and Optical Afterglow from Binary Neutron Star Mergers. II. Optimal Search Strategy for Serendipitous Observations and Target-of-opportunity Observations of Gravitational-wave Triggers

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: In the second work of this series, we explore the optimal search strategy for serendipitous and gravitational-wave-triggered target-of-opportunity (ToO) observations of kilonovae and optical short-duration gamma-ray burst (sGRB) afterglows from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers, assuming that cosmological kilonovae are AT2017gfo-like (but with viewing-angle dependence) and that the properties of afterglows are consistent with those of cosmological sGRB afterglows. A one-day cadence serendipitous search strategy with an exposure time of $\sim30\,$s can always achieve an optimal search strategy of kilonovae and afterglows for various survey projects. We show that the optimal detection rates of the kilonovae (afterglows) are $\sim0.3/0.6/1/20\,$yr$^{-1}$ ($\sim50/60/100/800\,$yr$^{-1}$) for ZTF/Mephisto/WFST/LSST, respectively A better search strategy for SiTian than the current design is to increase the exposure time. In principle, a fully built SiTian can detect $\sim7({2000})\,$yr$^{-1}$ kilonovae (afterglows). Population properties of electromagnetic (EM) signals detected via the serendipitous observations are studied in detail. For ToO observations, we predict that one can detect $\sim11\,{\rm{yr}}^{-1}$ BNS gravitational wave (GW) events during the fourth observing run (O4) by considering an exact duty cycle of the third observing run. The median GW sky localization area is expected to be $\sim10\,{\rm{deg}}^2$ for detectable BNS GW events. In O4, we predict that ZTF/Mephisto/WFST/LSST can detect $\sim5/4/3/3$ kilonovae ($\sim1/1/1/1$ afterglows) per year, respectively. The GW detection rates, GW population properties, GW sky localizations, and optimistic ToO detection rates of detectable EM counterparts for BNS GW events at the Advanced Plus, LIGO Voyager and ET\&CE eras are detailedly simulated in this paper.

  • Kilonova and Optical Afterglow from Binary Neutron Star Mergers. II. Optimal Search Strategy for Serendipitous Observations and Target-of-opportunity Observations of Gravitational-wave Triggers

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: In the second work of this series, we explore the optimal search strategy for serendipitous and gravitational-wave-triggered target-of-opportunity (ToO) observations of kilonovae and optical short-duration gamma-ray burst (sGRB) afterglows from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers, assuming that cosmological kilonovae are AT2017gfo-like (but with viewing-angle dependence) and that the properties of afterglows are consistent with those of cosmological sGRB afterglows. A one-day cadence serendipitous search strategy with an exposure time of $\sim30\,$s can always achieve an optimal search strategy of kilonovae and afterglows for various survey projects. We show that the optimal detection rates of the kilonovae (afterglows) are $\sim0.3/0.6/1/20\,$yr$^{-1}$ ($\sim50/60/100/800\,$yr$^{-1}$) for ZTF/Mephisto/WFST/LSST, respectively A better search strategy for SiTian than the current design is to increase the exposure time. In principle, a fully built SiTian can detect $\sim7({2000})\,$yr$^{-1}$ kilonovae (afterglows). Population properties of electromagnetic (EM) signals detected via the serendipitous observations are studied in detail. For ToO observations, we predict that one can detect $\sim11\,{\rm{yr}}^{-1}$ BNS gravitational wave (GW) events during the fourth observing run (O4) by considering an exact duty cycle of the third observing run. The median GW sky localization area is expected to be $\sim10\,{\rm{deg}}^2$ for detectable BNS GW events. In O4, we predict that ZTF/Mephisto/WFST/LSST can detect $\sim5/4/3/3$ kilonovae ($\sim1/1/1/1$ afterglows) per year, respectively. The GW detection rates, GW population properties, GW sky localizations, and optimistic ToO detection rates of detectable EM counterparts for BNS GW events at the Advanced Plus, LIGO Voyager and ET\&CE eras are detailedly simulated in this paper.

  • An 86-GHz search for Pulsars in the Galactic Center with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We report on the first pulsar and transient survey of the Galactic Center (GC) with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The observations were conducted during the Global Millimeter VLBI Array campaign in 2017 and 2018. We carry out searches using timeseries of both total intensity and other polarization components in the form of Stokes parameters. We incorporate acceleration and its derivative in the pulsar search, and also search in segments of the entire observation to compensate for potential orbital motion of the pulsar. While no new pulsar is found, our observations yield the polarization profile of the GC magnetar PSR J1745-2900 at mm-wavelength for the first time, which turns out to be nearly 100 % linearly polarized. Additionally, we estimate the survey sensitivity placed by both system and red noise, and evaluate its capability of finding pulsars in orbital motion with either Sgr A* or a binary companion. We show that the survey is sensitive to only the most luminous pulsars in the known population, and future observations with ALMA in Band-1 will deliver significantly deeper survey sensitivity on the GC pulsar population.