Dynamics of charged plane symmetric gravitational collapse

In this paper, we study dynamics of the charged plane symmetric gravitational collapse. For this purpose, we discuss non-adiabatic flow of a viscous fluid and deduce the results for adiabatic case. The Einstein and Maxwell field equations are formulated for general plane symmetric spacetime in the interior. Junction conditions between the interior and exterior regions are derived. For the non-adiabatic case, the exterior is taken as plane symmetric charged Vaidya spacetime while for the adiabatic case, it is described charged plane symmetric spacetime. Using Misner and Sharp formalism, we obtain dynamical equations to investigate the effects of different forces over the rate of collapse. In non-adiabatic case, a dynamical equation is joined with transport equation of heat flux. Finally, a relation between the Weyl tensor and energy density is found.     

Massive scalar counterpart of gravitational waves in scalarized neutron star binaries

In analogy with spontaneous magnetization of ferromagnets below the Curie temperature, a neutron star (NS), with a compactness above a certain critical value, may undergo spontaneous scalarization and exhibit an interior nontrivial scalar configuration. Consequently, the exterior spacetime is changed, and an external scalar field appears, which subsequently triggers a scalarization of its companion. The dynamical interplay produces a gravitational scalar counterpart of tensor gravitational waves. In this paper, we resort to scalar–tensor theory and demonstrate that the gravitational scalar counterpart from a double neutron star (DNS) and a neutron star–white dwarf (NS-WD) system become massive. We report that (1) a gravitational scalar background field, arising from convergence of external scalar fields, plays the role of gravitational scalar counterpart in scalarized DNS binary, and the appearance of a mass-dimensional constant in a Higgs-like gravitational scalar potential is responsible for a massive gravitational scalar counterpart with a mass of the order of the Planck scale; (2) a dipolar gravitational scalar radiated field, resulting from differing binding energies of NS and WD, plays the role of a gravitational scalar counterpart in scalarized orbital shrinking NS-WDs, which oscillates around a local and scalar-energy-density-dependent minimum of the gravitational scalar potential and obtains a mass of the order of about \(10^{-21}\,{\text {eV/c}}^2\).     

Black hole mass threshold from nonsingular quantum gravitational collapse

Quantum gravity is expected to remove the classical singularity that arises as the end state of gravitational collapse. To investigate this, we work with a toy model of a collapsing homogeneous scalar field. We show that nonperturbative semiclassical effects of loop quantum gravity cause a bounce and remove the black hole singularity. Furthermore, we find a critical threshold scale below which no horizon forms: quantum gravity may exclude very small astrophysical black holes.     

Towards constraining of the Horava–Lifshitz gravities

Recently a renormalizable model of gravity has been proposed, which might be a UV completion of General Relativity (GR) or its infra-red modification, probably with a strongly coupled scalar mode. Although the generic vacuum of the theory is anti-de Sitter one, particular limits of the theory allow for the Minkowski vacuum. In this limit (though without consideration of the strongly coupled scalar field) post-Newtonian coefficients of spherically symmetric solutions coincide with those of the General Relativity. Thus the deviations from the convenient GR should be tested beyond the post-Newtonian corrections, that is for a system with strong gravity at astrophysical scales. In this Letter we consider potentially observable properties of black holes in the deformed Horava–Lifshitz gravity with Minkowski vacuum: the gravitational lensing and quasinormal modes. We have showed that the bending angle is seemingly smaller in the considered Horava–Lifshitz gravity than in GR. The quasinormal modes of black holes are longer lived and have larger real oscillation frequency in the Horava–Lifshitz gravity than in GR. These corrections should be observable in the near future experiments on lensing and by gravitational antennas, helping to constrain parameters of the Horava–Lifshitz gravity or to discard it.     

Potential–density pairs for axisymmetric galaxies: the influence of scalar fields

We present a formulation for potential–density pairs to describe axi-symmetric galaxies in the Newtonian limit of scalar–tensor theories of gravity. The scalar field is described by a modified Helmholtz equation with a source that is coupled to the standard Poisson equation of Newtonian gravity. The net gravitational force is given by two contributions: the standard Newtonian potential plus a term stemming from massive scalar fields. General solutions have been found for axisymmetric systems and the multipole expansion of the Yukawa potential is given. In particular, we have computed potential–density pairs of galactic disks for an exponential profile and their rotation curves.     

Spherical Symmetric Perfect Fluid Collapse in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) Gravity

This paper contains the study of spherically symmetric perfect fluid collapse in the frame work of f(R, T) modified theory of gravity. We proceed our work by considering the non-static spherically symmetric background in the interior and static spherically symmetric background in the exterior regions of the star. The junction conditions between exterior and interior regions are presented by matching the exterior and interior regions. The field equations are solved by taking the assumptions that the Ricci scalar as well as the trace of energy-momentum tensor are to be constant, for a particular f(R, T) model. By inserting the solution of the field equations in junction conditions, we evaluate the gravitational mass of the collapsing system. Also, we discuss the apparent horizons and their time formation for different possible cases. It is concluded that the term f(R ₀, T ₀) behaves as a source of repulsive force and that’s why it slowdowns the collapse of the matter.     

Decoupling and reduction in Chern–Simons modified gravity

We show that for four-dimensional spacetimes with a non-null hypersurface orthogonal Killing vector and for a Chern–Simons (CS) background (non-dynamical) scalar field, which is constant along the Killing vector, the source-free equations of CS modified gravity decouple into their Einstein and Cotton constituents. Thus, the model supports only general relativity solutions. We also show that, when the cosmological constant vanishes and the gradient of the CS scalar field is parallel to the non-null hypersurface orthogonal Killing vector of constant length, CS modified gravity reduces to topologically massive gravity in three dimensions. Meanwhile, with the cosmological constant such a reduction requires an appropriate source term for CS modified gravity.     

Quantum evaporation of a naked singularity

We investigate here quantum effects in gravitational collapse of a scalar field model which classically leads to a naked singularity. We show that nonperturbative semiclassical modifications near the singularity, based on loop quantum gravity, give rise to a strong outward flux of energy. This leads to the dissolution of the collapsing cloud before the singularity can form. Quantum gravitational effects thus censor naked singularities by avoiding their formation. Further, quantum gravity induced mass flux has a distinct feature which may lead to a novel observable signature in astrophysical bursts.     

Quasinormal Modes of the Schwarzschild Black Hole Surrounded by the Quintessence Field in Rastall Gravity

The quasinormal modes of the Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by the quintessence in Rastall gravity are studied using the sixth-order Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximative approach. The effect of the Rastall parameter on the quasinormal modes of gravitational, electromagnetic and massless scalar perturbations is explored. Compared to the case of Einstein gravity, it is found that, when η < 0, the gravitational field, electromagnetic field as well as massless scalar field damp more rapidly and have larger real frequency of oscillation in Rastall gravity, while when η > 0, the gravitational field, electromagnetic field as well as massless scalar field damp more slowly and have smaller real frequency of oscillation in Rastall gravity. It is also found that the gravitational field, electromagnetic field as well as massless scalar field damp more and more slowly and the real frequency of oscillation for the gravitational perturbation, electromagnetic perturbation as well as massless scalar perturbation becomes smaller and smaller as the Rastall parameter η increases. Compared among the quasinormal frequencies of gravitational, electromagnetic and massless scalar perturbations, I find that, for fixed η, (l, n), ∈ and N_q, the oscillation damps most slowly for the gravitational perturbation, mediate for the electromagnetic perturbation and most rapidly for the massless scalar perturbation, and the real frequency of oscillation is the smallest for the gravitational perturbation, mediate for the electromagnetic perturbation and the largest for the massless scalar perturbation in Rastall gravity.     

Energy levels of a scalar particle in a static gravitational field close to the black hole limit

The bound-state energy levels of a scalar particle in the gravitational field of finite-sized objects with interiors described by the Florides and Schwarzschild metrics are found. For these metrics, bound states with zero energy (where the binding energy is equal to the rest mass of the scalar particle) only exist when a singularity occurs in the metric. Therefore, in contrast to the Coulomb case, no pairs are produced in the non-singular static metric. For the Florides metric the singularity occurs in the black hole limit, while for the Schwarzschild interior metric it corresponds to infinite pressure at the center. Moreover, the energy spectrum is shown to become quasi-continuous as the metric becomes singular.     

Repulsive gravity induced by a conformally coupled scalar field implies a bouncing radiation-dominated universe

In the present work we revisit a model consisting of a scalar field with a quartic self-interaction potential non-minimally (conformally) coupled to gravity (Novello in Phys Lett 90A:347 1980). When the scalar field vacuum is in a broken symmetry state, an effective gravitational constant emerges which, in certain regimes, can lead to gravitational repulsive effects when only ordinary radiation is coupled to gravity. In this case, a bouncing universe is shown to be the only cosmological solution admissible by the field equations when the scalar field is in such broken symmetry state.     

Gravitational Gauge Theory Developed Based on the Stephenson-Kilmister-Yang Equation

A Yang-Mills formulation of Einstein gravity with spin-affine connection as the dynamical variable of gravitational field is suggested based on the Stephenson-Kilmister-Yang (SKY) equation. A physically interesting property of the present formalism is that the Einstein field equation appears as a first-integral solution to the Yang-Mills type gravitational gauge field equation. The gravitational current density, the law of conservation and the gravitational gauge field strength in vierbein formulation are discussed. The present scheme could provide us with new insight into a possible way to include both Yang-Mills field and gravitational gauge field into one framework of generalized vierbein fields.     

Effects of electromagnetic field on the dynamical instability of expansionfree gravitational collapse

In this paper, we discuss the effects of electromagnetic field on the dynamical instability of a spherically symmetric expansionfree gravitational collapse. Darmois junction conditions are formulated by matching interior spherically symmetric spacetime to exterior Reissner–Nordström spacetime. We investigate the role of different terms in the dynamical equation at Newtonian and post Newtonian regimes by using perturbation scheme. It is concluded that instability range depends upon pressure anisotropy, radial profile of energy density and electromagnetic field, but not on the adiabatic index Γ. In particular, the electromagnetic field reduces the unstable region.     

Tetrad formulation of gravity with a torsion potential

A tetrad formulation of gravity with a torsion potential is presented. The torsion is derived from the exterior derivative of a second rank tensor potential. The geometrical Lagrangian is the curvature scalar and variations are taken with respect to the tetrad components. It is shown that the resulting field equations, and conservation laws, are identical to those obtained in a purely holonomic frame.     

Quantum scalar field in quantum gravity: the propagator and Lorentz invariance in the spherically symmetric case

We recently studied gravity coupled to a scalar field in spherical symmetry using loop quantum gravity techniques. Since there are local degrees of freedom one faces the “problem of dynamics”. We attack it using the “uniform discretization technique”. We find the quantum state that minimizes the value of the master constraint for the case of weak fields and curvatures. The state has the form of a direct product of Gaussians for the gravitational variables times a modified Fock state for the scalar field. In this paper we do three things. First, we verify that the previous state also yields a small value of the master constraint when one polymerizes the scalar field in addition to the gravitational variables. We then study the propagators for the polymerized scalar field in flat space-time using the previously considered ground state in the low energy limit. We discuss the issue of the Lorentz invariance of the whole approach. We note that if one uses real clocks to describe the system, Lorentz invariance violations are small. We discuss the implications of these results in the light of Hořava’s Gravity at the Lifshitz point and of the argument about potential large Lorentz violations in interacting field theories of Collins et al.     

Conformal transformations in metric‐affine gravity and ghosts

Conformal transformations play a widespread role in gravity theories in regard to their cosmological and other implications. In the pure metric theory of gravity, conformal transformations change the frame to a new one wherein one obtains a conformal‐invariant scalar–tensor theory such that the scalar field, deriving from the conformal factor, is a ghost. In this work, conformal transformations and ghosts will be analyzed in the framework of the metric‐affine theory of gravity. Within this framework, metric and connection are independent variables, and, hence, transform independently under conformal transformations. It will be shown that, if affine connection is invariant under conformal transformations, then the scalar field of concern is a non‐ghost, non‐dynamical field. It is an auxiliary field at the classical level, and might develop a kinetic term at the quantum level. Alternatively, if connection transforms additively with a structure similar to yet more general than that of the Levi‐Civita connection, the resulting action describes the gravitational dynamics correctly, and, more importantly, the scalar field becomes a dynamical non‐ghost field. The equations of motion, for generic geometrical and matter‐sector variables, do not reduce connection to the Levi‐Civita connection, and, hence, independence of connection from metric is maintained. Therefore, metric‐affine gravity provides an arena in which ghosts arising from the conformal factor are avoided thanks to the independence of connection from the metric.     

Photon Productions in a Gravitational Collapsing

We study a possible gravitational vacuum-effect, in which vacuum-energy variation is due to variation of gravitational field, vacuum state gains gravitational energy and releases it by spontaneous photon emissions. Based on the path-integral representation, we present a general formulation of vacuum transition matrix and energy-momentum tensor of a quantum scalar field theory in curved spacetime. Using analytical continuation of dimensionality of the phase space, we calculate the difference of vacuum-energy densities in the presence and absence of gravitational field. Using the dynamical equation of gravitational collapse, we compute the rate of vacuum state gaining gravitational energy. Computing the transition amplitude from initial vacuum state to final vacuum state in gravitational collapsing process, we show the rate and spectrum of spontaneous photon emissions for releasing gravitational energy. We compare our idea with the Schwinger idea for Sonoluminiescence and contrast our scenario with the Hawking effect.     

Structure of neutron stars in R-squared gravity

The effects implied for the structure of compact objects by the modification of General Relativity (GR) produced by the generalization of the Lagrangian density to the form $f(R)=R+\alpha R^2$ , where $R$ is the Ricci curvature scalar, have been recently explored. It seems likely that this squared-gravity may allow heavier Neutron Stars (NSs) than GR. In addition, these objects can be useful to constrain free parameters of modified-gravity theories. The differences between alternative gravity theories are enhanced in the strong gravitational regime. In this regime, because of the complexity of the field equations, perturbative methods become a good choice to treat the problem. Following previous works in the field, we performed a numerical integration of the structure equations that describe NSs in $f(R)$ -gravity, recovering their mass-radius relations, but focusing on particular features that arise from this approach in the profiles of the NS interior. We show that these profiles run in correlation with the second-order derivative of the analytic approximation to the Equation of State (EoS), which leads to regions where the enclosed mass decreases with the radius in a counter-intuitive way. We reproduce all computations with a simple polytropic EoS to separate zeroth-order modified gravity effects.