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At least 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

A High-mass Protobinary System with Spatially Resolved Circumstellar Accretion Disks and Circumbinary Disk

High-mass multiples might form via fragmentation of self-gravitational disks or alternative scenarios such as disk-assisted capture. However, only a few observational constraints exist on the architecture and disk structure of high-mass protobinaries and their accretion properties. Here, we report the discovery of a close (57.9 ± 0.2 mas = 170 au) high-mass protobinary, IRAS17216-3801, where our VLTI/GRAVITY+AMBER near-infrared interferometry allows us to image the circumstellar disks around the individual components with ∼3 mas resolution. We estimate the component masses to ∼20 and ∼18 M {sub ⊙} and find that the radial intensity profiles can be reproduced with an irradiated disk model, where the inner regions are excavated of dust, likely tracing the dust sublimation region in these disks. The circumstellar disks are strongly misaligned with respect to the binary separation vector, which indicates that the tidal forces did not have time to realign the disks, pointing toward a young dynamical age of the system. We constrain the distribution of the Br γ and CO-emitting gas using VLTI/GRAVITY spectro-interferometry and VLT/CRIRES spectro-astrometry and find that the secondary is accreting at a higher rate than the primary. VLT/NACO imaging shows L ′-band emission on (3–4)× larger scales than the binary separation, matching the expected dynamical truncation radius for the circumbinary disk. The IRAS17216-3801 system is ∼3× more massive and ∼5× more compact than other high-mass multiplies imaged at infrared wavelength and the first high-mass protobinary system where circumstellar and circumbinary dust disks could be spatially resolved. This opens exciting new opportunities for studying star–disk interactions and the role of multiplicity in high-mass star formation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2016

Constraints on LISA Pathfinder's Self-Gravity: Design Requirements, Estimates and Testing Procedures

LISA Pathfinder satellite was launched on 3 December 2015 toward the Sun Earth first Lagrangian point (L1) where the LISA Technology Package (LTP), which is the main science payload, will be tested. LTP achieves measurements of differential acceleration of free-falling test masses (TMs) with sensitivity below 3 x 10(exp -14) m s(exp -2) Hz(exp - 1/2) within the 130 mHz frequency band in one dimension. The spacecraft itself is responsible for the dominant differential gravitational field acting on the two TMs. Such a force interaction could contribute a significant amount of noise and thus threaten the achievement of the targeted free-fall level. We prevented this by balancing the gravitational forces to the sub nm s(exp -2) level, guided by a protocol based on measurements of the position and the mass of all parts that constitute the satellite, via finite element calculation tool estimates. In this paper, we will introduce the gravitational balance requirements and design, and then discuss our predictions for the balance that will be achieved in flight.

Armano, M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Robustness of neutron star merger simulations to changes in neutrino transport and neutrino-matter interactions

Binary neutron star mergers play an important role in nuclear astrophysics: Their gravitational wave and electromagnetic signals carry information about the equation of state of cold matter above nuclear saturation density, and they may be one of the main sources of r-process elements in the Universe. Neutrino-matter interactions during and after merger impact the properties of these electromagnetic signals and the relative abundances of the produced r-process elements. Existing merger simulations are, however, limited in their ability to realistically model neutrino transport and neutrino-matter interactions. Here, we perform a comparison of the impact of the use of state-of-the art two-moment or Monte Carlo transport schemes on the outcome of merger simulations, for a single binary neutron star system with a short-lived neutron star remnant [(5–10) ms]. We also investigate the use of different reaction rates in the simulations. While the best transport schemes generally agree well on the qualitative impact of neutrinos on the system, differences in the behavior of the high-density regions can significantly impact the collapse time and the properties of the hot tidal arms in this metastable merger remnant. The chosen interaction rates and transport algorithm as well as recent improvements by Radice et al. to the two-moment algorithms can all contribute to changes at the (10–30)% level in the global properties of the merger remnant and outflows. Furthermore, the limitations of previous moment schemes fixed by Radice et al. also appear sufficient to explain the large difference that we observed in the production of heavy-lepton neutrinos in a previous comparison of Monte Carlo and moment schemes in the context of a low-mass binary neutron star system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

CMB scale dependent non-Gaussianity from massive gravity during inflation

We consider a cosmological model in which the tensor mode becomes massive during inflation, and study the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) temperature and polarization bispectra arising from the mixing between the scalar mode and the massive tensor mode during inflation. The model assumes the existence of a preferred spatial frame during inflation. The local Lorentz invariance is already broken in cosmology due to the existence of a preferred rest frame. The existence of a preferred spatial frame further breaks the remaining local SO(3) invariance and in particular gives rise to a mass in the tensor mode. At linear perturbation level, we minimize our model so that the vector mode remains non-dynamical, while the scalar mode is the same as the one in single-field slow-roll inflation. At non-linear perturbation level, this inflationary massive graviton phase leads to a sizeable scalar-scalar-tensor coupling, much greater than the scalar-scalar-scalar one, as opposed to the conventional case. This scalar-scalar-tensor interaction imprints a scale dependent feature in the CMB temperature and polarization bispectra. Very intriguingly, we find a surprizing similarity between the predicted scale dependence and the scale-dependent non-Gaussianities at low multipoles hinted in the WMAP and Planck results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1987

Inhomogeneous cosmology. III - Primordial gravitational waves and dust

In this paper, the properties of a special class of inhomogeneous cosmological models and the interaction of the inhomogeneities with the evolution of the background geometry and matter are studied. The cosmological model is chosen so that the initial inhomogeneities evolve into 'plane' gravitational waves propagating through a smooth Bianchi I dust background. It is shown how the inhomogeneities interact with matter, 3 K radiation, and the background geometry, causing the expansion to slow down in some regions and speed up in others. It is also shown how the gravitational waves can produce a 'dragging of the inertial frame' which will affect the observed distribution of matter and 3 K radiation. In particular, this frame-dragging effect can account for a major fraction of the obsserved dipole component between the 3 K background radiation and the rest frame of global matter, an effect usually assumed to have been produced by large-scale local motion.

Adams, P. J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Starobinsky inflation and dark energy and dark matter effects from quasicrystal like spacetime structures

The goal of this work on mathematical cosmology and geometric methods in modified gravity theories, MGTs, is to investigate Starobinsky-like inflation scenarios determined by gravitational and scalar field configurations mimicking quasicrystal, QC, like structures. Such spacetime aperiodic QCs are different from those discovered and studied in solid state physics but described by similar geometric methods. We prove that a inhomogeneous and locally anisotropic gravitational and matter field effective QC mixed continuous and discrete “ether” can be modelled by exact cosmological solutions in MGTs and Einstein gravity. The coefficients of corresponding generic off-diagonal metrics and generalized connections depend (in general) on all spacetime coordinates via generating and integration functions and, certain smooth and discrete parameters. Imposing additional nonholonomic constraints, prescribing symmetries for generating functions and solving the boundary conditions for integration functions and constants, we can model various nontrivial torsion QC structures or extract cosmological Levi-Civita configurations with diagonal metrics reproducing de Sitter (inflationary) like and other type homogeneous inflation and acceleration phases. Finally, we speculate how various dark energy and dark matter effects can be modelled by off-diagonal interactions and deformations of a nontrivial QC like gravitational vacuum structure and analogous scalar matter fields.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Snowmass2021 Cosmic Frontier White Paper: Future Gravitational-Wave Detector Facilities

The next generation of gravitational-wave observatories can explore a wide range of fundamental physics phenomena throughout the history of the universe. These phenomena include access to the universe's binary black hole population throughout cosmic time, to the universe's expansion history independent of the cosmic distance ladders, to stochastic gravitational-waves from early-universe phase transitions, to warped space-time in the strong-field and high-velocity limit, to the equation of state of nuclear matter at neutron star and post-merger densities, and to dark matter candidates through their interaction in extreme astrophysical environments or their interaction with the detector itself. We present the gravitational-wave detector concepts than can drive the future of gravitational-wave astrophysics. We summarize the status of the necessary technology, and the research needed to be able to build these observatories in the 2030s.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS2010

Black-Hole Binaries, Gravitational Waves, and Numerical Relativity

Understanding the predictions of general relativity for the dynamical interactions of two black holes has been a long-standing unsolved problem in theoretical physics. Black-hole mergers are monumental astrophysical events ' releasing tremendous amounts of energy in the form of gravitational radiation ' and are key sources for both ground- and spacebased gravitational wave detectors. The black-hole merger dynamics and the resulting gravitational waveforms can only he calculated through numerical simulations of Einstein's equations of general relativity. For many years, numerical relativists attempting to model these mergers encountered a host of problems, causing their codes to crash after just a fraction of a binary orbit cnuld be simulated. Recently ' however, a series of dramatic advances in numerical relativity has ' for the first time, allowed stable / robust black hole merger simulations. We chronicle this remarkable progress in the rapidly maturing field of numerical relativity, and the new understanding of black-hole binary dynamics that is emerging. We also discuss important applications of these fundamental physics results to astrophysics, to gravitationalwave astronomy, and in other areas.

Kelly, Bernard J.↗
DOE OSTI2015

On consistent kinetic and derivative interactions for gravitons

The only known fully ghost-free and consistent Lorentz-invariant kinetic term for a graviton (or indeed for any spin-2 field) is the Einstein-Hilbert term. Here we propose and investigate a new candidate family of kinetic interactions and their extensions to derivative interactions involving several spin-2 fields. These new terms generically break diffeomorphism invariance(s) and as a result can lead to the propagation of 5 degrees of freedom for a single spin-2 field — analogous to ghost-free Massive Gravity. We discuss under what circumstances these new terms can be used to build healthy effective field theories and in the process establish the ‘Jordan’ and ‘Einstein’ frame pictures for Massive-, Bi- and Multi-Gravity.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Confinement transition to gravitational waves in the one-flavor $SU(4)$ Hyper Stealth Dark Matter theory

The thermodynamics of the $SU(4)$ gauge theory with a single flavor of fundamental quarks is analyzed on the lattice with dynamical fermion simulations, which is the low-energy sector of a realistic, strongly-interacting dark matter model -- the Hyper Stealth Dark Matter. The gravitational wave spectrum from the first-order confinement transition in the early universe is further calculated, where the effect of the dark sea quarks, which decrease the interface tension in the effective potential of the Polyakov loop, is shown numerically to lower the gravitational wave amplitude.

Ayyar, V. [Boston U.]↗
NASA NTRS1987

The frequency of enhanced star formation in interacting and isolated galaxies

To probe the sensitivity of the star formation rate and extent in galaxies to gravitational encounters, ground based near and mid-infrared and IRAS far-infrared measurements of complete samples of isolated and interacting pairs of galaxies were obtained. The observed infrared properties of the isolated galaxies are used to gauge the magnitude of star formation in galaxies free from external influences, and to define the relationships between morphological type and infrared luminosity. These properties were contrasted with those of the interacting sample to examine the extent to which interactions can enhance or alter the nature of star formation. The mechanisms by which interactions influence activity such as star formation are investigated through correlations of the infrared characteristics with radio and optical measurements, and with morphological and physical parameters such as galaxy types, separations, encounter velocities and interaction types. Limits to the physical extent of the star formation are obtained by comparing the large aperture measurements of IRAS with the small aperture ground based photometry.

Cutri, Roc M.↗
DOE OSTI2013

HYDRODYNAMICAL SIMULATIONS OF A COMPACT SOURCE SCENARIO FOR THE GALACTIC CENTER CLOUD G2

The origin of the dense gas cloud G2 discovered in the Galactic Center is still a debated puzzle. G2 might be a diffuse cloud or the result of an outflow from an invisible star embedded in it. We present hydrodynamical simulations of the evolution of different spherically symmetric winds of a stellar object embedded in G2. We find that the interaction with the ambient medium and the extreme gravitational field of the supermassive black hole in the Galactic Center must be taken into account in such a source scenario. The thermal pressure of the hot and dense atmosphere confines the wind, while its ram pressure shapes it via stripping along the orbit, with the details depending on the wind parameters. Tidal forces squeeze the wind near pericenter, reducing it to a thin and elongated filament. We also find that in this scenario most of the Brγ luminosity is expected to come from the densest part of the wind, which has a highly filamentary structure with a low filling factor. For our assumed atmosphere, the observations can be best matched by a mass outflow rate of M-dot{sub w}=8.8×10{sup -8} M{sub sun} yr{sup -1} and a wind velocity of v{sub w} = 50 km s{sup –1}. These values are comparable with those of a young T Tauri star wind, as already suggested by Scoville and Burkert.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Instability of the heliopause driven by charge exchange interactions

The stability of the heliopause that separates the tenuous hot magnetized heliosheath plasma from the dense cool local interstellar magnetized plasma is examined using a fully general model that includes all the essential physical processes. Charge exchange coupling between plasma protons and primary interstellar neutral atoms provides an effective gravity that drives Rayleigh-Taylor (RT)-like instabilities. The velocity difference or shear between the heliosheath and interstellar flows, when coupled to energetic neutral atoms (ENAs), drives a Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH)-like instability on the heliopause. The shoulder region of the heliopause is unstable to a new instability that has characteristics of a mixed RT-KH-like mode. The instabilities are not stabilized by typical values of the magnetic fields in the inner and outer heliosheath (OHS). ENAs play an essential role in driving the KH-like instability, which is fully stabilized in their absence by magnetic fields. The nonlinear phase of these instabilities is briefly discussed. We also discuss the possibility that RT-like or mixed KH-RT-like instabilities drag outer heliosheath/very local interstellar medium (OHS/VLISM) magnetic field lines into the inner heliosheath (IHS) with the VLISM flow, and the possibility that IHS and VLISM magnetic field lines experience reconnection. Such reconnection may (1) greatly enhance the mixing of plasmas across the heliopause and (2) provide open magnetic field lines that allow easy ingress of galactic cosmic rays into the heliosphere and corresponding easy loss of anomalous cosmic rays from the heliosphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Study of dark-matter admixed neutron stars using the equation of state from the rotational curves of galaxies

In this work, we employ the dark matter equations of state (DMEOSs) obtained from the rotational curves of galaxies as well as the fermionic DMEOS with m=1.0 GeV to study the structure of dark-matter admixed neutron stars (DMANSs). Applying the equation of state in the Skyrme framework for the neutron matter (NM), we calculate the mass–radius relation for different DMANSs with various DMEOSs and central pressure of dark matter (DM) to NM ratios. Our results show that for some DMEOSs, the mass–radius relations are in agreement with new observations, e.g., EXO 1745-248, 4U 1608-52, and 4U 1820-30, which are inconsistent with normal neutron stars. We conclude that both DMEOSs and central pressure ratios of DM to NM affect the slope of the mass–radius relation of DMANSs. This is because of the interaction between DM and NM, which leads to gravitationally or self-bound DMANSs. We study the radius of the NM sphere as well as the radius of the DM halo for different DMANSs. The results confirm that, in some cases, a NM sphere with a small radius is surrounded by a halo of DM with a larger radius. Our calculations verify that, due to the different degrees of DM domination in DMANSs, with a value of the visible radius of a star two possible DMANSs with different masses can exist. The gravitational redshift is also calculated for DMANSs with different DMEOSs and central pressure ratios. The results explain that the existence of DM in a DMANS leads to higher values of gravitational redshift of the star.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analytic description of primordial black hole formation from scalar field fragmentation

We report that primordial black hole (PBH) formation is a more generic phenomenon than was once thought. The dynamics of a scalar field in inflationary universe can produce PBHs under mild assumptions regarding the scalar potential. In the early universe, light scalar fields develop large expectation values during inflation and subsequently relax to the minimum of the effective potential at a later time. During the relaxation process, an initially homogeneous scalar condensate can fragment into lumps via an instability similar to the gravitational (Jeans) instability, where the scalar self-interactions, rather than gravity, play the leading role. The fragmentation of the scalar field into lumps (e.g. Q-balls or oscillons) creates matter composed of relatively few heavy "particles", whose distribution is subject to significant fluctuations unconstrained by comic microwave background (CMB) observations and unrelated to the large-scale structure. If this matter component comes to temporarily dominate the energy density before the scalar lumps decay, PBHs can be efficiently produced during the temporary matter-dominated era. We develop a general analytic framework for description of PBH formation in this class of models. We highlight the differences between the scalar fragmentation scenario and other commonly considered PBH formation models. lASTLY, Given the existence of the Higgs field and the preponderance of scalar fields within supersymmetric and other models of new physics, PBHs constitute an appealing and plausible candidate for dark matter.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

A semi-analytic study of self-interacting dark-matter haloes with baryons

ABSTRACT We combine the isothermal Jeans model and the model of adiabatic halo contraction into a semi-analytic procedure for computing the density profile of self-interacting dark-matter (SIDM) haloes with the gravitational influence from the inhabitant galaxies. The model agrees well with cosmological SIDM simulations over the entire core-forming stage up to the onset of gravothermal core-collapse. Using this model, we show that the halo response to baryons is more diverse in SIDM than in CDM and depends sensitively on galaxy size, a desirable feature in the context of the structural diversity of bright dwarfs. The fast speed of the method facilitates analyses that would be challenging for numerical simulations – notably, we quantify the SIDM halo response as functions of the baryonic properties, on a fine mesh grid spanned by the baryon-to-total-mass ratio, Mb/Mvir, and galaxy compactness, r1/2/Rvir; we show with high statistical precision that for typical Milky-Way-like systems, the SIDM profiles are similar to their CDM counterparts; and we delineate the regime of core-collapse in the Mb/Mvir − r1/2/Rvir space, for a given cross section and concentration. Finally, we compare the isothermal Jeans model with the more sophisticated gravothermal fluid model, and show that the former yields faster core formation and agrees better with cosmological simulations. We attribute the difference to whether the target CDM halo is used as a boundary condition or as the initial condition for the gravothermal evolution, and thus comment on possible improvements of the fluid model. We have made our model publicly available at https://github.com/JiangFangzhou/SIDM.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗