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At least 37 records · Page 2

Prospects for direct detection of black hole formation in neutron star mergers with next-generation gravitational-wave detectors

A direct detection of black hole formation in neutron star mergers would provide invaluable information about matter in neutron star cores and finite temperature effects on the nuclear equation of state. We study black hole formation in neutron star mergers using a set of 190 numerical relativity simulations consisting of long-lived and black-hole-forming remnants. The postmerger gravitational-wave spectrum of a long-lived remnant has greatly reduced power at a frequency 𝑓 greater than 𝑓 peak , for 𝑓 ≳ 4 kHz, with 𝑓 peak ∈ [2.5,4] kHz. On the other hand, black-hole-forming remnants exhibit excess power in the same large 𝑓 region and manifest exponential damping in the time domain characteristic of a quasinormal mode. We demonstrate that the gravitational-wave signal from a collapsed remnant is indeed a quasinormal ringing. We report on the opportunity for direct detections of black hole formation with next-generation gravitational-wave detectors such as Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope and set forth the tantalizing prospect of such observations up to a distance of 100 Mpc for an optimally oriented and located source with an SNR of 4.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Detectability of QCD phase transitions in binary neutron star mergers: Bayesian inference with the next generation gravitational wave detectors

We study the detectability of postmerger QCD phase transitions in neutron star binaries with next-generation gravitational-wave detectors Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope. We perform numerical relativity simulations of neutron star mergers with equations of state that include a quark deconfinement phase transition through either a Gibbs or Maxwell construction. These are followed by Bayesian parameter estimation of the associated gravitational-wave signals using the nrpmw waveform model, with priors inferred from the analysis of the inspiral signal. We assess the ability of the model to measure the postmerger peak frequency $f$$^{peak}_{2}$ and identify aspects that should be improved in the model. We show that, even at postmerger signal to noise ratios as low as 10, the model can distinguish (at the 90% level) $f$$^{peak}_{2}$ between binaries with and without a phase transition in most cases. Phase-transition induced deviations in the $f$$^{peak}_{2}$ from the predictions of equation-of-state insensitive relations can also be detected if they exceed 1.6⁢σ. Our results suggest that next-generation gravitational wave detectors can measure phase transition effects in binary neutron star mergers. Furthermore, unless the phase transition is “strong,” disentangling it from other hadronic physics uncertainties will require significant theory improvements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Birefringence tests of gravity with multimessenger binaries

Extensions to General Relativity (GR) allow the polarization of gravitational waves (GW) from astrophysical sources to suffer from amplitude and velocity birefringence, which respectively induce changes in the ellipticity and orientation of the polarization tensor. Here, we introduce a multi-messenger approach to test this polarization behavior of GWs during their cosmological propagation using binary sources, for which the initial polarization is determined by the inclination and orientation angles of the orbital angular momentum vector with respect to the line of sight. In particular, we use spatially resolved radio imaging of the jet from a binary neutron star (BNS) merger to constrain the orientation angle and hence the emitted polarization orientation of the GW signal at the site of the merger, and compare to that observed on Earth by GW detectors. For GW170817, using past measurements of the inclination angle, we constrain the deviation from GR due to amplitude birefringence to κ A = $-0.12^{+0.60}_ {-0.61}$, while the velocity birefringence parameter κ V remains unconstrained. The inability to constrain κ V is due to the low amplitude of GW170817 in the Virgo detector, and measurements of the polarization orientation require information from a combination of multiple detectors with different alignments. For this reason, we also mock future BNS mergers with resolved afterglow proper motion and project that κ V could be constrained to a precision of 5 rad (corresponding to an angular shift of the GW polarization of δ φV ≈ 0.2 rad for a BNS at 100 Mpc) by a future network of third-generation ground-based GW detectors such as Cosmic Explorer and the radio High Sensitivity Array. Crucially, this velocity birefringence effect cannot be constrained with dark binary mergers as it requires polarization information at the emission time, which can be provided only by electromagnetic emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Impact of dark matter on tidal signatures in neutron star mergers with the Einstein Telescope

If dark matter (DM) accumulates inside neutron stars (NS), it changes their internal structure and causes a shift of the tidal deformability from the value predicted by the dense-matter equation of state (EOS). In principle, this shift could be observable in the gravitational-wave (GW) signal of binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. We investigate the effect of fermionic, noninteracting DM when observing a large number of GW events from DM-admixed BNSs with the precision of the proposed Einstein telescope (ET). Specifically, we study the impact on the recovery of the baryonic EOS and whether DM properties can be constrained. For this purpose, we create event catalogs of BNS mock events with DM fraction up to 1%, from which we reconstruct the posterior uncertainties with the Fisher matrix approach. Using this data, we perform joint Bayesian inference on the baryonic EOS, DM particle mass, and DM particle fraction in each event. Here, our results reveal that when falsely ignoring DM effects, the EOS posterior is biased toward softer EOSs, though the offset is rather small. Further, we find that within our assumptions of our DM model and population, ET will likely not be able to test the presence of DM in BNSs, even when combining many events and adding Cosmic Explorer (CE) to the next-generation detector network. Likewise, the potential constraints on the DM particle mass will remain weak because of degeneracies with the fraction and EOS.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

X-Ray Performance of Critical-angle Transmission Grating Prototypes for the Arcus Mission

Arcus is a proposed Explorer Class soft X-ray grating spectrometer. It aims to explore cosmic feedback by mapping hot gases within and between galaxies and galaxy clusters and characterizing jets and winds from supermassive black holes and to investigate the dynamics of protoplanetary disks and stellar accretion. Arcus features 12 m focal-length grazing-incidence silicon pore optics (SPO) developed for the Athena mission. Critical-angle transmission (CAT) gratings efficiently disperse high diffraction orders onto CCDs. We report new and improved X-ray performance results for Arcus-like CAT gratings, including a record resolving power for two coaligned CAT gratings. Multiple Arcus prototype grating facets were illuminated by an SPO at the PANTER facility. The facets consist of 32 × 32.5 mm 2 patterned silicon membranes, bonded to metal frames. The bonding angle is adjusted according to the measured average tilt angle of the grating bars in the membrane. Two simultaneously illuminated facets show a minor broadening of the Al-K α doublet in the 18th and 21st orders with the best-fit record effective resolving power of ${R}_{G}\approx {1.3}_{-0.5}^{+\infty }\times {10}^{4}$ (3σ), about three to four times the Arcus requirement. We measured the diffraction efficiency of quasi-fully illuminated gratings at O-K wavelengths in orders 4–7 in an Arcus-like configuration and compare results with synchrotron spot measurements. After corrections for geometrical effects and bremsstrahlung continuum, we find agreement between full and spot illumination at the two different facilities, as well as with the models used for Arcus effective area predictions. We find that these flight-like gratings meet the diffraction efficiency and greatly exceed the resolving power Arcus requires.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Measuring the Hubble Constant with Dark Neutron Star–Black Hole Mergers

Abstract Detection of gravitational waves (GWs) from neutron star-black hole (NSBH) standard sirens provides local measurements of the Hubble constant (H 0 ), regardless of the detection of an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart, given that matter effects can be exploited to break the redshift degeneracy of the GW waveforms. The distinctive merger morphology and the high-redshift detectability of tidally disrupted NSBH make them promising candidates for this method. Also, the detection prospects of an EM counterpart for these systems will be limited toz< 0.8 in the optical, in the era of future GW detectors. Using recent constraints on the equation of state of NSs from multi-messenger observations of NICER and LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA, we show the prospects of measuringH 0 solely from GW observation of NSBH systems, achievable by the Einstein telescope (ET) and Cosmic Explorer (CE) detectors. We first analyze individual events to quantify the effect of high-frequency (≥500 Hz) tidal distortions on the inference of NS tidal deformability parameter (Λ) and hence onH 0 . We find that disruptive mergers can constrain Λ up to  ( 60 % ) more precisely than nondisruptive ones. However, this precision is not sufficient to place stringent constraints on theH 0 from individual events. By performing Bayesian analysis on simulated NSBH data (up toN= 100 events, corresponding to a day of observation) in the ET+CE detectors, we find that NSBH systems enable unbiased 4%–13% precision on the estimate ofH 0 (68% credible interval). This is a similar measurement precision found in studies analyzing NSBH mergers with EM counterparts in the LVKC O5 era.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Gravitational-wave and Gravitational-wave Memory Signatures of Core-collapse Supernovae

Abstract In this paper, we calculate the energy, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), detection range, and angular anisotropy of the matter, matter memory, and neutrino memory gravitational-wave (GW) signatures of 21 three-dimensional initially nonrotating core-collapse supernova (CCSN) models carried to late times. We find that inferred energy, SNR, and detection range are angle-dependent quantities, and that the spread of possible energy, signal to noise, and detection ranges across all viewing angles generally increases with progenitor mass. When examining the low-frequency matter memory and neutrino memory components of the signal, we find that the neutrino memory is the most detectable component of a CCSN GW signal, and that DECIGO is best equipped to detect both matter memory and neutrino memory. Moreover, we find that the polarization angle between the h + and h × strains serves as a unique identifier of matter and neutrino memory. Finally, we develop a Galactic density- and stellar mass-weighted formalism to calculate the rate at which we can expect to detect CCSN GW signals with the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (aLIGO). When considering only the matter component of the signal, the aLIGO detection rate is around 65% of the total Galactic supernova rate, but increases to 90% when incorporating the neutrino memory component. We find that all future detectors (Einstein Telescope, Cosmic Explorer, DECIGO) will be able to detect CCSN GW signals from the entire Galaxy, and for the higher-mass progenitors even into the Local Group of galaxies.

Choi, Lyla (ORCID:0000000153860133)↗

How Bright in Gravitational Waves are Millisecond Pulsars for the Galactic Center GeV Gamma-Ray Excess? A Systematic Study

The existence of dark matter (DM) is supported by various macroscopic observations, but its microscopic nature remains elusive. The Galactic Center GeV gamma-ray excess (GCE) has been a leading candidate signal for particle dark matter annihilation. However, an unresolved population of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in the bulge provides the alternative explanation for the excess. Identifying these MSPs in electromagnetic bands is difficult due to source confusion, pulse broadening, and extinction. Gravitational waves (GWs) provide a complementary probe: a steadily rotating, non-axisymmetric MSP emits a nearly monochromatic GW signal in the sensitive band of ground-based detectors, with amplitude set by its ellipticity. In this work, we systematically investigate the GW emission from the MSP population proposed to explain the GCE and its detectability with current and future detectors. We consider three major scenarios for the origin of ellipticity and model the population properties of these MSPs. We also consider both isolated MSPs and MSPs in binary systems, as well as Doppler effects in the detection. We find that while the signal is below the reach of current interferometers, next-generation detectors such as the Einstein Telescope (ET) and Cosmic Explorer (CE) can detect a fraction of those MSPs, offering a novel test of the MSP interpretation of the GCE. Future directed searches toward the Galactic Center with continued improvements in sensitivities will either uncover this long-sought MSP population or place stringent limits on their ellipticities and abundance, with important implications for both the astrophysical and dark-matter interpretations of the GCE.

Lei, Ming-Yu [Purple Mountain Observ.; USTC, Hefei↗

Los Alamos National Laboratory: SULI Appointment

The progenitors of gamma-ray bursts - the brightest explosions in our universe - are still poorly understood. It has been suggested that massive stars collapsing in interacting binary systems (i.e. with a closely orbiting compact object companion) can provide the necessary angular momentum and dense surrounding medium to explain observations of radio-loud gamma-ray bursts. We explore this progenitor system using the population synthesis code COSMIC. We explore the dependence of the properties of an interacting binary systems - including the remnant types and their masses - on metallicity and mass raction of the binary system. We also explore how the rates of populations of these systems depend on metallicity. Our findings help constrain what properties lead to viable GRB progenitors, especially radio loud GRBs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Development and characterization of the flight model spectrometer onboard LuSEE-Night

The Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment - Night, LuSEE-Night, is a low-frequency radio astronomy experiment that will explore the cosmic Dark Ages signal on the radio-quiet far side of the Moon. Here, the LuSEE-Night carries a radio frequency spectrometer consisting of a set of antennas, analog and digital processing electronics, and will be launched by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services in 2025. The spectrometer is designed to observe the spectrum of the radio sky in the 0.5-50MHz band. The flight model (FM) of the four-channel spectrometer has been developed. The FM has been characterized for linearity, gain, noise, and their temperature dependence, confirming that the FM meets all the requirements for LuSEE-Night.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Design and Characterization of the Engineering Model of the Spectrometer Onboard LuSEE‐Night

Abstract The Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Explorer—Night, LuSEE‐Night, is a low‐frequency radio astronomy experiment that will explore the cosmic Dark Ages signal on the radio‐quiet farside of the Moon. The LuSEE‐Night carries a radio frequency spectrometer consisting of a set of antennas, analog and digital processing electronics, and will be launched by NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services in 2025. The spectrometer is designed to observe the spectrum of the radio sky in the 0.5−50 MHz band. The engineering model (EM) of the four‐channel spectrometer has been developed. The EM has been characterized for linearity, gain, noise, and their temperature dependence, confirming that the EM meets all the requirements for LuSEE‐Night. Three mitigation techniques have been implemented and verified to suppress self‐induced electromagnetic interference. The flight model of the spectrometer is currently being developed and is scheduled to be shipped to the integration site in early 2024.

Tamura, Emi↗

Design and Characterization of the Engineering Model of the Spectrometer Onboard LuSEE-Night

The Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Explorer - Night, LuSEE-Night, is a low-frequency radio astronomy experiment that will explore the cosmic Dark Ages signal on the radio quiet farside of the Moon. The LuSEE-Night carries a radio frequency spectrometer consisting of a set of antennas, analog and digital processing electronics, and will be launched by NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services in 2025. The spectrometer is designed to observe the spectrum of the radio sky in the 0.5−50MHz band. The engineering model (EM) of the four-channel spectrometer has been developed. The EM has been characterized for linearity, gain, noise, and their temperature dependence, confirming that the EM meets all the requirements for LuSEE-Night. Three mitigation techniques have been implemented and verified to suppress self-induced electromagnetic interference (EMI). The flight model of the spectrometer is currently being developed and is scheduled to be shipped to the integration site in early 2024

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Observations of the Bright Star in the Globular Cluster 47 Tucanae (NGC 104)

The Bright Star in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae (NGC 104) is a post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) star of spectral type B8 III. The ultraviolet spectra of late-B stars exhibit myriad absorption features, many due to species unobservable from the ground. The Bright Star thus represents a unique window into the chemistry of 47 Tuc. We have analyzed observations obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle Spectrograph on the Magellan Telescope. By fitting these data with synthetic spectra, we determine various stellar parameters (T {sub eff} = 10,850 ± 250 K, logg=2.20±0.13) and the photospheric abundances of 26 elements, including Ne, P, Cl, Ga, Pd, In, Sn, Hg, and Pb, which have not previously been published for this cluster. Abundances of intermediate-mass elements (Mg through Ga) generally scale with Fe, while the heaviest elements (Pd through Pb) have roughly solar abundances. Its low C/O ratio indicates that the star did not undergo third dredge-up and suggests that its heavy elements were made by a previous generation of stars. If so, this pattern should be present throughout the cluster, not just in this star. Stellar-evolution models suggest that the Bright Star is powered by a He-burning shell, having left the AGB during or immediately after a thermal pulse. Its mass (0.54 ± 0.16M {sub ⊙}) implies that single stars in 47 Tuc lose 0.1–0.2 M {sub ⊙} on the AGB, only slightly less than they lose on the red giant branch.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cosmic Shear Analysis in the DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey

We forecast cosmological constraints and develop a cosmic shear analysis pipeline for the DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey (DELVE). We test the effects of two different intrinsic alignment frameworks (TATT and NLA) on simulated data vectors. In addition, we examine the impact of baryon contamination and apply scale cuts to reduce its weight. We find the forecast results to be as constraining as the DES Y3 cosmological parameter measurements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Cosmic Shear Analysis of the DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey

We forecast cosmological constraints and develop a cosmic shear analysis pipeline for the DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey (DELVE). We test the effects of two different intrinsic alignment frameworks (TATT and NLA) on synthetic data vectors. In addition, we examine the impact of baryon contamination and determine the necessary scale cuts to reduce its influence. We find the forecast results to be as constraining as the DES Y3 cosmological parameter measurements.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Feasibility of Correlated Extensive Air Shower Detection with a Distributed Cosmic-Ray Network

We explore the sensitivity offered by a global network of cosmic-ray detectors to a novel, unobserved phenomenon: widely separated simultaneous extended air showers. Existing localized observatories work independently to observe individual showers, offering insight into the source and nature of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. However no current observatory is large enough to provide sensitivity to anticipated processes such as the Gerasimova–Zatsepin effect or potential new physics that generate simultaneous air showers separated by hundreds to thousands of kilometers. A global network of consumer electronics (the Cosmic Rays Found In Smartphones (CRAYFIS) experiment), may provide a novel opportunity for observation of such phenomena. Two user scenarios are explored. In the first, with maximal user adoption, we find that statistically significant discoveries of spatially separated but coincident showers are possible within a couple years. In the second, more practical adoption model with 10 6 active devices, we find a worldwide CRAYFIS to be sensitive to novel "burst" phenomena where many simultaneous extensive air showers (EAS) occur at once.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The beyond-halo mass effects of the cosmic web environment on galaxies

ABSTRACT Galaxy properties primarily depend on their host halo mass. Halo mass, in turn, depends on the cosmic web environment. We explore if the effect of the cosmic web on galaxy properties is entirely transitive via host halo mass, or if the cosmic web has an effect independent of mass. The secondary galaxy bias, sometimes referred to as ‘galaxy assembly bias’, is the beyond-mass component of the galaxy–halo connection. We investigate the link between the cosmic web environment and the secondary galaxy bias in simulations. We measure the secondary galaxy bias through the following summary statistics: projected two-point correlation function, $w_{\mathrm{p}}(r_{\mathrm{p}})$, and counts-in-cylinders statistics, $P(N_{\mathrm{CIC}})$. First, we examine the extent to which the secondary galaxy bias can be accounted for with a measure of the environment as a secondary halo property. We find that the total secondary galaxy bias preferentially places galaxies in more strongly clustered haloes. In particular, haloes at fixed mass tend to host more galaxies when they are more strongly associated with nodes or filaments. This tendency accounts for a significant portion, but not the entirety, of the total secondary galaxy bias effect. Secondly, we quantify how the secondary galaxy bias behaves differently depending on the host halo proximity to nodes and filaments. We find that the total secondary galaxy bias is relatively stronger in haloes more associated with nodes or filaments. We emphasize the importance of removing halo mass effects when considering the cosmic web environment as a factor in the galaxy–halo connection.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

The Effect of Warm Dark Matter on Early Star Formation Histories of Massive Galaxies: Predictions from the CROC Simulations

Several massive (M * > 108 M ⊙ ), high-redshift (z = 8–10) galaxies have recently been discovered to contain stars with ages of several hundred million years, pushing the onset of star formation in these galaxies back to z ~ 15. The very existence of stars formed so early may serve as a test for cosmological models with suppressed small-scale power (and, hence, late formation of cosmic structure). We explore the ages of the oldest stars in numerical simulations from the Cosmic Reionization On Computers project with cold dark matter (CDM) and two warm dark matter (WDM) cosmologies with 3 and 6 keV particles. There are statistically significant differences of ~5 Myr between average stellar ages of massive galaxies in CDM and 3 keV WDM, while CDM and 6 keV WDM are statistically indistinguishable. Even this 5 Myr difference, however, is much less than current observational uncertainties on the stellar population properties of high-redshift galaxies. The age distributions of all galaxies in all cosmologies fail to produce a substantial Balmer break, although uncertainties in dust attenuation are a potentially significant factor. Finally, we assess the convergence of our simulation predictions and find that the systematic uncertainties on individual galaxy properties are comparable to the differences between cosmologies, suggesting these differences may not be numerically robust.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗