I review the status of research, conducted by a variety of independent groups, aimed at the eventual observation of Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals (EMRIs) with gravitational wave detectors. EMRIs are binary systems in which one of the objects is much more massive than the other, and which are in a state of dynamical evolution that is dominated by the effects of gravitational radiation. Although these systems are highly relativistic, with the smaller object moving relative to the larger at nearly light-speed, they are well described by perturbative calculations which exploit the mass ratio as a natural small parameter. I review the use of such approximations to generate waveforms needed by data analysis algorithms for observation. I also briefly review the status of developing the data analysis algorithms themselves.
The effects of the gravitational back reaction of cosmological perturbations are investigated in a phantom inflation model. The effective energy-momentum tensor of the gravitational back reaction of cosmological perturbations whose wavelengths are larger than the Hubble radius is calculated. Our results show that the effects of gravitational back reaction will counteract that of the phantom energy. It is demonstrated in a chaotic phantom inflation model that if the phantom field at the end of inflation is larger than a critical value determined by the necessary e-folds, the phantom inflation phase might be terminated by the gravitational back reaction.
A modern re-visitation of the consequences of the lack of an intrinsic notion of instantaneous 3-space in relativistic theories leads to a reformulation of their kinematical basis emphasizing the role of non-inertial frames centered on an arbitrary accelerated observer. In special relativity the exigence of predictability implies the adoption of the 3+1 point of view, which leads to a well posed initial value problem for field equations in a framework where the change of the convention of synchronization of distant clocks is realized by means of a gauge transformation. This point of view is also at the heart of the canonical approach to metric and tetrad gravity in globally hyperbolic asymptotically flat space-times, where the use of Shanmugadhasan canonical transformations allows the separation of the physical degrees of freedom of the gravitational field (the tidal effects) from the arbitrary gauge variables. Since a global vision of the equivalence principle implies that only global non-inertial frames can exist in general relativity, the gauge variables are naturally interpreted as generalized relativistic inertial effects, which have to be fixed to get a deterministic evolution in a given non-inertial frame. As a consequence, in each Einstein's space-time in this class the whole chrono-geometrical structure, including also the clock synchronization convention, is dynamically determined and a new approach to the Hole Argument leads to the conclusion that "gravitational field" and "space-time" are two faces of the same entity. This view allows to get a classical scenario for the unification of the four interactions in a scheme suited to the description of the solar system or our galaxy with a deperametrization to special relativity and the subsequent possibility to take the non-relativistic limit.
We show how to enlarge the $\nu$MSM (the minimal extension of the standard model by three right-handed neutrinos) to incorporate inflation and provide a common source for electroweak symmetry breaking and for right-handed neutrino masses. In addition to inflation, the resulting theory can explain simultaneously dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the Universe; it is consistent with experiments on neutrino oscillations and with all astrophysical and cosmological constraints on sterile neutrino as a dark matter candidate. The mass of inflaton can be much smaller than the electroweak scale.
Supergravity corrections due to the energy density of a right-handed sneutrino can generate a negative mass squared for the inflaton, flattening the inflaton potential and reducing the spectral index and inflaton energy density. For the case of D-term hybrid inflation, we show that the spectral index can be lowered from the conventional value n = 0.98 to a value within the range allowed by the latest WMAP analysis, n = 0.951^{+0.015}_{-0.019}. The modified energy density is consistent with non-observation of cosmic strings in the CMB if n < 0.946. The WMAP lower bound on the spectral index implies that the D-term cosmic string contribution may be very close present CMB limits, contributing at least 5% to the CMB multipoles.
We study a number of domain wall forming models where various types of defect junctions can exist. These illustrate some of the mechanisms that will determine the evolution of defect networks with junctions. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for a proper assessment of a number of cosmological scenarios: we will focus on the issue of whether or not cosmological frustrated domain wall networks can exist at all, but our results are also relevant for the dynamics of cosmic (super)strings, where junctions are expected to be ubiquitous. We also define and discuss the properties that would make up the ideal model in terms of hypothetical frustrated wall networks, and provide an explicit construction for such a model. We carry out a number of numerical simulations of the evolution of these networks, analyze and contrast their results, and discuss their implications for our no-frustration conjecture.
We study the intercommuting of semilocal strings and Skyrmions, for a wide range of internal parameters, velocities and intersection angles by numerically evolving the equations of motion. We find that the collisions of strings and strings, strings and Skyrmions, and Skyrmions and Skyrmions, all lead to intercommuting for a wide range of parameters. Even the collisions of unstable Skyrmions and strings leads to intercommuting, demonstrating that the phenomenon of intercommuting is very robust, extending to dissimilar field configurations that are not stationary solutions. Even more remarkably, at least for the semilocal U(2) formulation considered here, all intercommutations trigger a reversion to U(1) Nielsen-Olesen strings.
According to a recent theory of anomalous scaling in turbulence (V. Yakhot and K.R. Sreenivasan, Physica A 343, 147 (2004); J. Stat. Phys. 121, 823 (2005); V. Yakhot, Physica D 215, 166 (2006)), the scaling exponents rho_n of the moments of velocity derivatives sigma_n=\bar{(\partial u/\partial x)^n}\propto Re^rho_n can be expressed in terms of the inertial-range scaling exponents xi_n of the structure functions S_n(r)=\bar{(u(x+r)-u(x))^n} \propto r^xi_n. Based on high-resolution direct numerical simulations of isotropic and homogeneous turbulence in a periodic box, it is shown that the moments sigma_n with 0\leq n\leq 8, obtained from relatively low Reynolds number flows with Taylor-microscale Reynolds number 10 \leq R_lambda \leq 63, are well represented as powers of the Reynolds number. The scaling exponents rho_n in these flows, though exhibiting no inertial range, agree closely with the exponents xi_n (0\leq n\leq 17) corresponding to the inertial range of high-Reynolds-number fully developed turbulence.
An efficient way of solving 2D stability problems in fluid mechanics is to
use, after discretization of the equations that cast the problem in the form of
a generalized eigenvalue problem, the incomplete Arnoldi-Chebyshev method. This
method preserves the banded structure sparsity of matrices of the algebraic
eigenvalue problem and thus decreases memory use and CPU-time consumption.
The errors that affect computed eigenvalues and eigenvectors are due to the
truncation in the discretization and to finite precision in the computation of
the discretized problem. In this paper we analyze those two errors and the
interplay between them. We use as a test case the two-dimensional eigenvalue
problem yielded by the computation of inertial modes in a spherical shell. This
problem contains many difficulties that make it a very good test case. It turns
out that that single modes (especially most-damped modes i.e. with high spatial
frequency) can be very sensitive to round-off errors, even when apparently good
spectral convergence is achieved. The influence of round-off errors is analyzed
using the spectral portrait technique and by comparison of double precision and
extended precision computations. Through the analysis we give practical recipes
to control the truncation and round-off errors on eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
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The gravitational wave signal generated by global, nonaxisymmetric shear flows in a neutron star is calculated numerically by integrating the incompressible Navier--Stokes equation in a spherical, differentially rotating shell. At Reynolds numbers $\Rey \gsim 3 \times 10^{3}$, the laminar Stokes flow is unstable and helical, oscillating Taylor--G\"ortler vortices develop. The gravitational wave strain generated by the resulting kinetic-energy fluctuations is computed in both $+$ and $\times$ polarizations as a function of time. It is found that the signal-to-noise ratio for a coherent, $10^{8}$-{\rm s} integration with LIGO II scales as $ 6.5 (\Omega_*/10^{4} {\rm rad} {\rm s}^{-1})^{7/2}$ for a star at 1 {\rm kpc} with angular velocity $\Omega_*$. This should be regarded as a lower limit: it excludes pressure fluctuations, herringbone flows, Stuart vortices, and fully developed turbulence (for $\Rey \gsim 10^{6}$).
Motivated by the generalization of quantum theory for the case of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with PT symmetry, we show how a classical cosmological model describes a smooth transition from ordinary dark energy to the phantom one. The model is based on a classical complex Lagrangian of a scalar field. Specific symmetry properties analogous to PT in non-Hermitian quantum mechanics lead to purely real equation of motion.
A six parameter cosmological model, involving a vacuum energy density that is extremely tiny compared to fundamental particle physics scales, describes a large body of increasingly accurate astronomical data. In a first part of this brief review we summarize the current situation, emphasizing recent progress. An almost infinitesimal vacuum energy is only the simplest candidate for a cosmologically significant nearly homogeneous exotic energy density with negative pressure, generically called Dark Energy. If general relativity is assumed to be also valid on cosmological scales, the existence of such a dark energy component that dominates the recent universe is now almost inevitable. We shall discuss in a second part the alternative possibility that general relativity has to be modified on distances comparable to the Hubble scale. It will turn out that observational data are restricting theoretical speculations more and more. Moreover, some of the recent proposals have serious defects on a fundamental level (ghosts, acausalities, superluminal fluctuations).
We explore the impact of Lorentz violation on the inflationary scenario. More precisely, we study the inflationary scenario in the scalar-vector-tensor theory where the vector is constrained to be unit and time like. It turns out that the Lorentz violating vector affects the dynamics of the chaotic inflationary model and divides the inflationary stage into two parts; the Lorentz violating stage and the standard slow roll stage. We show that the universe is expanding as an exact de Sitter spacetime in the Lorentz violating stage although the inflaton field is rolling down the potential. Much more interestingly, we find exact Lorentz violating inflationary solutions in the absence of the inflaton potential. In this case, the inflation is completely associated with the Lorentz violation. We also mention some consequences of Lorentz violating inflation which can be tested by observations.
The traditional continuous wavelet transform is plagued by the cone-of-influence, ie wavelets which extend past either end of a finite timeseries return transform coefficients which tend to decrease as more of the wavelet is truncated. These coefficients may be corrected simply by rescaling the remaining wavelet. The corrected wavelet transform displays no cone-of-influence and maintains reconstruction as either edge is approached. As an application and example, we present the corrected wavelet transform of the (derectified) yearly International Sunspot Number, R_i, as a measure of solar magnetic activity, and compare the yearly solar magnetic power with Oerlemans' glacial global temperature reconstruction.
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We investigate the stability against inhomogeneous perturbations and the appearance of ghost modes in Gauss-Bonnet gravitational theories with a non minimally coupled scalar field, which can be regarded as either the dilaton or a compactification modulus in the context of string theory. Through cosmological linear perturbations we extract four no-ghost and two sub-luminal constraint equations, written in terms of background quantities, which must be satisfied for consistency. We also argue that, for a general action with quadratic Riemann invariants, homogeneous and inhomogeneous perturbations are, in general, inequivalent, and that attractors in the phase space can have ghosts. These results are then generalized to a two-field configuration. Single-field models as candidates for dark energy are explored numerically and severe bounds on the parameter space of initial conditions are placed. A number of cases proposed in the literature are tested and most of them are found to be unstable or observationally unviable.
We show that the parameter space for F-term inflation which predict the formation of cosmic strings is larger than previously estimated. Firstly, because realistic embeddings in GUT theories alter the standard scenerio, making the inflationary potential less steep. Secondly, the strings which form at the end of inflation are not necessarily topologically stable down to low scales. In shifted and smooth inflation strings do not form at all. We also discuss D-term inflation; here the possibilities are much more limited to enlargen paramer space.
This work addresses spherically symmetric, static black holes in higher-derivative stringy gravity. We focus on the curvature-squared correction to the Einstein-Hilbert action, present in both heterotic and bosonic string theory. The string theory low-energy effective action necessarily describes both a graviton and a dilaton, and we concentrate on the Callan-Myers-Perry solution in d-dimensions, describing stringy corrections to the Schwarzschild geometry. We develop the perturbation theory for the higher-derivative corrected action, along the guidelines of the Ishibashi-Kodama framework, focusing on tensor type gravitational perturbations. The potential obtained allows us to address the perturbative stability of the black hole solution, where we prove stability in any dimension. The equation describing gravitational perturbations to the Callan-Myers-Perry geometry also allows for a study of greybody factors and quasinormal frequencies. We address gravitational scattering at low frequencies, computing corrections arising from the curvature-squared term in the stringy action. We find that the absorption cross-section receives \alpha' corrections, even though it is still proportional to the area of the black hole event-horizon. We also suggest an expression for the absorption cross-section which could be valid to all orders in \alpha'.
We study a class of ``landscape'' models in which all vacua have positive energy density, so that inflation never ends and bubbles of different vacua are endlessly ``recycled''. In such models, each geodesic observer passes through an infinite sequence of bubbles, visiting all possible kinds of vacua. The bubble abundance $p_j$ can then be defined as the frequency at which bubbles of type $j$ are visited along the worldline of an observer. We compare this definition with the recently proposed general prescription for $p_j$ and show that they give identical results.
It is known that the Standard Model describing all of the currently known elementary particles is based on the $U(1)\times SU(2)\times SU(3)$ symmetry. In order to implement this symmetry on the ground of a non-flat space-time manifold one should introduce three special bundles. Some aspects of the mathematical theory of these bundles are studied in this paper.
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After a brief introduction, basic ideas of the quantum Riemannian geometry underlying loop quantum gravity are summarized. To illustrate physical ramifications of quantum geometry, the framework is then applied to homogeneous isotropic cosmology. Quantum geometry effects are shown to replace the big bang by a big bounce. Thus, quantum physics does not stop at the big-bang singularity. Rather there is a pre-big-bang branch joined to the current post-big-bang branch by a `quantum bridge'. Furthermore, thanks to the background independence of loop quantum gravity, evolution is deterministic across the bridge.
In the Kaluza-Klein model with a cosmological constant and a flux, the external spacetime and its dimension of the created universe from a $S^s \times S^{n-s}$ seed instanton can be identified in quantum cosmology. One can also show that in the internal space the effective cosmological constant is most probably zero.
A maximum value for the magnetic field is determined, which provides the full compensation of the positronium rest mass by the binding energy in the maximum symmetry state and disappearance of the energy gap separating the electron-positron system from the vacuum. The compensation becomes possible owing to the falling to the center phenomenon. The maximum magnetic field may be related to the vacuum and describe its structure.
The GSI1, GSI2 (as well as the RIKEN2 and the corrected GSI2) measurements of the Coulomb Dissociation (CD) of 8B are in good agreement with the most recent Direct Capture (DC) 7Be(p,g)8B reaction measurement performed at Weizmann and in agreement with the Seattle result. Yet it was claimed that the CD and DC results are sufficiently different and need to be reconciled. We show that these statements arise from a misunderstanding (as well as misrepresentation) of CD experiments. We recall a similar strong statement questioning the validity of the CD method due to an invoked large E2 component that was also shown to arise from a misunderstanding of the CD method. In spite of the good agreement between DC and CD data the slope of the astrophysical cross section factor (S17) can not be extracted with high accuracy due to a discrepancy between the recent DC data as well as a discrepancy of the three reports of the GSI CD data. The slope is directly related to the d-wave component that dominates at higher energies and must be subtracted from measured data to extrapolate to zero energy. Hence the uncertainty of the measured slope leads to an additional uncertainty of the extrapolated zero energy cross section factor, S17(0). This uncertainty must be alleviated by future experiments to allow a precise determination of S17(0), a goal that so far has not be achieved in spite of strong statement(s) that appeared in the literature.
Modification of neutron and proton driplines by the capture of strange hyperon(s) by normal nuclei has been investigated. A generalised mass formula (BWMH) based on the strangeness dependent extended liquid drop model is used to calculate the binding energy of normal nuclei as well as strange hypernuclei. The neutron (Sn) and proton (Sp) separation energies of all hypernuclei with neutral hyperons Lambda, double Lambda or charged hyperons Cascade(-), Theta(+) inside are calculated using BWMH mass formula. The normal neutron and proton driplines get modified due to the addition of the hyperon(s)(Lambda, double Lambda, Cascade(-), Theta(+) etc.) to the core of normal nuclei. The hypernuclei containing the charged hyperon(s) like those with neutral hyperon(s) have similar nucleon separation energies like core nuclei if proton number instead of net charge is used in the symmetry term. Due to the effect of opposite charges present in Theta(+) and Cascade(-), hyperons their corresponding driplines get separated from each other. All the hyperons modify mean field potential due to strong hyperon-nucleon coupling. Addition of a single charged hyperon in normal nuclei affects the entire proton drip line more prominently than that by neutral hyperon. The neutral hyperonic effect on proton dripline is significant for lighter nuclei than for heavier ones whereas both the charged as well as neutral hyperons affect almost the entire neutron dripline.
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We consider the possibility that the total dark energy (DE) of the Universe is made out of two dynamical components of different nature: a variable cosmological term, Lambda, and a dynamical ``cosmon'', X, possibly interacting with Lambda but not with matter -- which remains conserved. We call this scenario the LXCDM model. One possibility for X would be a scalar field, but it is not the only one. The overall equation of state (EOS) of the LXCDM model can effectively appear as quintessence or phantom energy depending on the mixture of the two components. Both the dynamics of Lambda and of X could be linked to high energy effects near the Planck scale. In the case of Lambda it may be related to the running of this parameter under quantum effects, whereas X might be identified with some fundamental field (say, a dilaton) left over as a low-energy ``relic'' by e.g. string theory. We find that the dynamics of the LXCDM model can trigger a future stopping of the Universe expansion and can keep the ratio rho_D/rho_m (DE density to matter-radiation density) bounded and of order 1. Therefore, the model could explain the so-called ``cosmological coincidence problem''. This is in part related to the possibility that the present value of the cosmological term can be Lambda<0 in this framework (the current total DE density nevertheless being positive). However, a cosmic halt could occur even if Lambda>0 because of the peculiar behavior of X as ``Phantom Matter''. We describe various cosmological scenarios made possible by the composite and dynamical nature of LXCDM, and discuss in detail their impact on the cosmological coincidence problem.
We introduce a computational framework which avoids solving explicitly hydrodynamic equations and is suitable to study the pre-merger evolution of black hole-neutron star binary systems. The essence of the method consists of constructing a neutron star model with a black hole companion and freezing the internal degrees of freedom of the neutron star during the course of the evolution of the space-time geometry. We present the main ingredients of the framework, from the formulation of the problem to the appropriate computational techniques to study these binary systems. In addition, we present numerical results of the construction of initial data sets and evolutions that demonstrate the feasibility of this approach.
We obtain a new exact black-hole solution in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity with a cosmological constant which bears a specific relation to the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant. The spacetime is a product of the usual 4-dimensional manifold with a $(n-4)$-dimensional space of constant negative curvature, i.e., its topology is locally ${\ma M}^n \approx {\ma M}^4 \times {\ma H}^{n-4}$. The solution has two parameters and asymptotically approximates to the field of a charged black hole in anti-de Sitter spacetime. The most interesting and remarkable feature is that the Gauss-Bonnet term acts like a Maxwell source for large $r$ while at the other end it regularizes the metric and weakens the central singularity.
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