Showing 1–50 of 740 results for author: Li, B

Enhanced Non-Thermal Line Broadening inside Coronal Cavities above Solar Prominences revealed by Spectral Imaging CoronaGraph

Authors: Chenxi Huangfu, Hui Fu, Bo Li, ZhengHua Huang, MingZhe Sun, WeiXin Liu, XiaoYu Yu, LiDong Xia

Abstract: Coronal cavities, often associated with prominences, are crucial structures in understanding coronal heating and the eruption mechanism of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). Previous studies have identified their lower density, higher temperature, and flux rope structures. However, spectroscopic observations are still relatively scarce. In this study, we utilize the newly developed Spectral Imaging Co… ▽ More Coronal cavities, often associated with prominences, are crucial structures in understanding coronal heating and the eruption mechanism of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). Previous studies have identified their lower density, higher temperature, and flux rope structures. However, spectroscopic observations are still relatively scarce. In this study, we utilize the newly developed Spectral Imaging Coronagraph (SICG), Chinese H$α$ Solar Explorer (CHASE), and AIA/SDO to analyze the morphology, temperature, Doppler shift, and non-thermal velocity of two coronal cavities observed on November 13, 2024. We find that coronal cavities are distinctly visible in SICG \ion{Fe}{14} 5303~Å and AIA 193~Å, whereas they are nearly absent in SICG \ion{Fe}{10} 6374~Å and AIA 171~Å. The spectroscopic measurements show that the two coronal cavities display asymmetric, ring-like structures in the \ion{Fe}{14} 5303~Å Doppler shift maps. The non-thermal velocities inside coronal cavities are significantly higher than those of the surrounding streamer areas. In addition, the core regions of coronal cavities, located directly above the prominences, exhibit the highest non-thermal velocities and Doppler velocities. Our results suggest the presence of waves and turbulence in coronal cavities, which are likely more intense than those in the adjacent streamer regions. We suggest that the interaction and exchange between the cold, dense prominence materials and the hot, low-density coronal materials are the main drivers of the waves and turbulence inside coronal cavities. △ Less

Submitted 22 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

BBNet: accurate neural network emulator for primordial light element abundances

Authors: Fan Zhang, Hang Diao, Bohua Li, Joel Meyers, Paul R. Shapiro

Abstract: Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) predictions of primordial light-element abundances offer a powerful probe of early-Universe physics. However, high-accuracy numerical BBN calculations have become a major computational bottleneck for large-scale cosmological inferences due to the complex nuclear network. Here we present BBNet, a fast and accurate deep learning emulator for primordial abundances. The… ▽ More Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) predictions of primordial light-element abundances offer a powerful probe of early-Universe physics. However, high-accuracy numerical BBN calculations have become a major computational bottleneck for large-scale cosmological inferences due to the complex nuclear network. Here we present BBNet, a fast and accurate deep learning emulator for primordial abundances. The training data are generated by full numerical calculations using two public BBN codes, PArthENoPE and AlterBBN, modified to accommodate extended cosmologies that include dark radiation and a stiff equation of state. The network employs a residual multi-head architecture to capture convoluted physical relationships. BBNet produces primordial helium-4 and deuterium abundances with negligible errors in milliseconds per sample, achieving a speed-up of up to $10^4$ times relative to first-principles solvers while remaining unbiased over wide parameter ranges. Therefore, our emulator can supersede traditional simplified numerical prescriptions that compromise accuracy for speed. Based on extensive assessments of its performance, we conclude that BBNet is an optimal solution to the theoretical prediction of primordial element abundances. It will serve as a reliable tool for precision cosmology and new-physics searches. △ Less

Submitted 17 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 16 pages, 8 figures, submitted. Comments welcome!

Measurement of the cosmic ray nickel energy spectrum from 10 GeV/n to 2 TeV/n with the DAMPE

Authors: F. Alemanno, Q. An, P. Azzarello, F. C. T. Barbato, P. Bernardini, X. J. Bi, H. V. Boutin, I. Cagnoli, M. S. Cai, E. Casilli, J. Chang, D. Y. Chen, J. L. Chen, Z. F. Chen, Z. X. Chen, P. Coppin, M. Y. Cui, T. S. Cui, I. De Mitri, F. de Palma, A. Di Giovanni, T. K. Dong, Z. X. Dong, G. Donvito, J. L. Duan , et al. (123 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Nickel, one of the most stable elements alongside iron, is the most abundant heavy element beyond iron in cosmic rays. With DAMPE's excellent charge resolution and broad energy range, a high-precision energy spectrum provides valuable insights into the acceleration sources of heavy nuclei and their propagation through the interstellar medium. In this analysis, we report the direct measurement of c… ▽ More Nickel, one of the most stable elements alongside iron, is the most abundant heavy element beyond iron in cosmic rays. With DAMPE's excellent charge resolution and broad energy range, a high-precision energy spectrum provides valuable insights into the acceleration sources of heavy nuclei and their propagation through the interstellar medium. In this analysis, we report the direct measurement of cosmic-ray nickel spectrum from 10 GeV/n to 2 TeV/n with nine years of flight data. The nickel spectrum is consistent with a single power law with spectral index -2.60 +/- 0.03 from 40 GeV/n to 1 TeV/n. This work provides an accurate measurement of differential flux of nickel with kinetic energy extending to TeV/n for the first time. △ Less

Submitted 12 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Constraining the outer boundary condition for the Babcock-Leighton dynamo models

Authors: Yukun Luo, Jie Jiang, Binghang Li, Zebin Zhang, Ruihui Wang

Abstract: The evolution of the Sun's large-scale surface magnetic field is well captured by surface flux transport models, which can therefore provide a natural constraint on the outer boundary condition (BC) of Babcock-Leighton (BL) dynamo models. For the first time, we propose a zero radial diffusion BC for BL dynamo models, enabling their surface field evolution to align consistently with surface flux tr… ▽ More The evolution of the Sun's large-scale surface magnetic field is well captured by surface flux transport models, which can therefore provide a natural constraint on the outer boundary condition (BC) of Babcock-Leighton (BL) dynamo models. For the first time, we propose a zero radial diffusion BC for BL dynamo models, enabling their surface field evolution to align consistently with surface flux transport simulations. We derive a zero radial diffusion BC from the Magnetohydrodynamic induction equation and evaluate its effects in comparison with two alternatives: (i) a radial outer BC, and (ii) a radial outer BC combined with strong near-surface radial pumping. The comparison is carried out both for the evolution of a single bipolar magnetic region and within a full BL dynamo model. The zero radial diffusion outer BC effectively suppresses radial diffusion across the surface, ensuring consistency between the evolution of the bipolar magnetic region in the BL dynamo and the surface flux transport model. With this outer BC, the full BL dynamo model successfully reproduces the fundamental properties of the solar cycle. In addition, the model naturally produces a surface magnetic field that is not purely radial, in closer agreement with solar observations. The physically motivated zero radial diffusion boundary condition paves the way for deeper insight into the solar and stellar cycles. △ Less

Submitted 10 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 8 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, accepted by A&A

Constraints on nDGP gravity from SPT galaxy clusters with DES and HST weak-lensing mass calibration and from Planck PR4 CMB anisotropies

Authors: S. M. L. Vogt, S. Bocquet, C. T. Davies, J. J. Mohr, F. Schmidt, C. -Z. Ruan, B. Li, C. Hernändez-Aguayo, S. Grandis, L. E. Bleem, M. Klein, M. Aguena, S. Allam, F. Andrade-Oliveira, D. Bacon, D. Brooks, R. Camilleri, A. Carnero Rosell, J. Carretero, M. Costanzi, L. N. da Costa, M. E. da Silva Pereira, J. De Vicente, P. Doel, J. Garcïa-Bellido , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present constraints on the normal branch of the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (nDGP) braneworld gravity model from the abundance of massive galaxy clusters. On scales below the nDGP crossover scale $r_{\rm c}$, the nDGP model features an effective gravity-like fifth force that alters the growth of structure, leading to an enhancement of the halo mass function (HMF) on cluster scales. The enhanced clu… ▽ More We present constraints on the normal branch of the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (nDGP) braneworld gravity model from the abundance of massive galaxy clusters. On scales below the nDGP crossover scale $r_{\rm c}$, the nDGP model features an effective gravity-like fifth force that alters the growth of structure, leading to an enhancement of the halo mass function (HMF) on cluster scales. The enhanced cluster abundance allows for constraints on the nDGP model using cluster samples. We employ the SPT cluster sample, selected through the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect (tSZE) with the South Pole Telescope (SPT) and with mass calibration using weak-lensing data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The cluster sample contains 1,005 clusters with redshifts $0.25 < z < 1.78$, which are confirmed with the Multi-Component Matched Filter (MCMF) algorithm using optical and near-infrared data. Weak-lensing data from DES and HST enable a robust mass measurement of the cluster sample. We use DES Year 3 data for 688 clusters with redshifts $z < 0.95$, and HST data for 39 clusters with redshifts $ 0.6 < z <1.7$. We account for the enhancement in the HMF through a semi-analytic correction factor to the $νΛ$CDM HMF derived from the spherical collapse model in the nDGP model. We then further calibrate this model using $N$-body simulations. In addition, for the first time, we analyze the primary cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature and polarization anisotropy measurements from Planck PR4 within the nDGP model. We obtain a competitive constraint from the joint analysis of the SPT cluster abundance with the Planck PR4 data, and report an upper bound of $1/\sqrt{H_0r_{\rm c}}< 1.41$ at $95\%$ when assuming a cosmology with massive neutrinos. △ Less

Submitted 5 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 12 pages, 6 figures, submitted to PRD

Nucleon Short-Range Correlations and High-Momentum Dynamics: Implications on the Equation of State of Dense Matter

Authors: Bao-Jun Cai, Bao-An Li, Yu-Gang Ma

Abstract: Nucleon short-range correlations (SRCs) and their high-momentum tails (HMTs) encode key short-range dynamics in nuclei and dense matter. This review provides a concise overview of SRC features relevant to the Equation of State (EOS) of isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter. We summarize empirical and theoretical properties of the single-nucleon momentum distribution $n(k)$, emphasizing the role of the… ▽ More Nucleon short-range correlations (SRCs) and their high-momentum tails (HMTs) encode key short-range dynamics in nuclei and dense matter. This review provides a concise overview of SRC features relevant to the Equation of State (EOS) of isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter. We summarize empirical and theoretical properties of the single-nucleon momentum distribution $n(k)$, emphasizing the role of the neutron--proton tensor force, the dominance of correlated np pairs, and the enhancement of minority-species HMTs. Links to nucleon effective E-masses, quasi-deuteron components, and orbital entanglement are briefly noted. We examine how SRC-induced HMTs modify kinetic and potential contributions to the EOS in both non-relativistic and relativistic frameworks, including the softening of the kinetic symmetry energy and departures from the isospin parabolic approximation of asymmetric nuclear EOS. Sensitivity to high-momentum components and generalizations to arbitrary dimensions are also highlighted. Implications for heavy-ion reactions are summarized, including effects on particle yields, collective flows, deeply sub-threshold particle production and hard photon emission, driven by modified initial nucleon momentum distributions and abundant high relative-momentum np pairs during the reaction. Finally, we outline SRC-HMT consequences for neutron-star matter, covering proton fractions, tidal deformabilities, $Z$-factors, cooling, and the core--crust transition, as well as possible connections to dark-matter interactions in dense environments. △ Less

Submitted 3 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 90-pages review for the Euro. Phys. J. Special Topic on "High Density Nuclear Matter" edited by Subhasis Chattopadhyay and Peter Senger

Probing Fuzzy Dark Matter in the 21 cm Signal via Wavelet Scattering Transform

Authors: Hayato Shimabukuro, Shihang Liu, Bohua Li

Abstract: We explore the imprints of fuzzy dark matter (FDM) on the redshifted 21~cm signal from the Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization by employing the wavelet scattering transform (WST). FDM, composed of ultralight scalar particles with masses $m_{\mathrm{FDM}} \sim 10^{-22}\,\mathrm{eV}$, exhibits quantum pressure that suppresses the formation of small-scale structures below the de~Broglie wavelen… ▽ More We explore the imprints of fuzzy dark matter (FDM) on the redshifted 21~cm signal from the Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization by employing the wavelet scattering transform (WST). FDM, composed of ultralight scalar particles with masses $m_{\mathrm{FDM}} \sim 10^{-22}\,\mathrm{eV}$, exhibits quantum pressure that suppresses the formation of small-scale structures below the de~Broglie wavelength, thereby delaying star formation and modifying the thermal history of the intergalactic medium. Using modified \texttt{21cmFAST} simulations that incorporate both linear and nonlinear effects of FDM on structure formation, we analyze the two-dimensional 21~cm brightness temperature fields through the first- and second-order WST coefficients. The first-order coefficients, $S_1(j)$, quantify scale-dependent variance analogous to the power spectrum, while the normalized second-order ratio $R(j_1,j_2)=S_2/S_1$ captures non-Gaussian cross-scale couplings. We find that low-order couplings, particularly between large and intermediate scales, are highly sensitive to the FDM particle mass and remain robust under SKA1-Low-like thermal noise. Quantitatively, the WST coefficients yield pairwise distances of $Δ\simeq 225$ between CDM and FDM with $m_{\mathrm{FDM}}=10^{-22}\,\mathrm{eV}$, demonstrating that this framework can effectively discriminate between wave-like and cold dark matter scenarios even under realistic observational conditions. Our results establish the WST as a powerful, noise-tolerant statistical tool for probing the wave nature of dark matter through forthcoming 21~cm observations. △ Less

Submitted 29 November, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 20 pages, 11 figures

X-ray, optical, and radio follow-up of five thermally emitting isolated neutron star candidates

Authors: J. Kurpas, A. M. Pires, A. D. Schwope, B. Li, D. Yin, F. Haberl, M. Krumpe, S. Sheth, I. Traulsen, Z. L. Zhang

Abstract: We report on follow-up observations with XMM-Newton, the FORS2 instrument at the ESO-VLT, and FAST, aiming to characterise the nature of five thermally emitting isolated neutron star (INS) candidates recently discovered from searches in the footprint of the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG)/eROSITA All-sky Survey. We find that the X-ray spectra are predominantly thermal and can be described by low-abs… ▽ More We report on follow-up observations with XMM-Newton, the FORS2 instrument at the ESO-VLT, and FAST, aiming to characterise the nature of five thermally emitting isolated neutron star (INS) candidates recently discovered from searches in the footprint of the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG)/eROSITA All-sky Survey. We find that the X-ray spectra are predominantly thermal and can be described by low-absorbed blackbody models with effective temperatures ranging from 50 to 210 eV. In two sources, the spectra also show narrow absorption features at $300 - 400$ eV. Additional non-thermal emission components are not detected in any of the five candidates. The soft X-ray emission, the absence of optical counterparts in four sources, and the consequent large X-ray-to-optical flux ratios $>3000 - 5400$ confirm their INS nature. For the remaining source, eRASSU J144516.0-374428, the available data do not allow a confident exclusion of an active galactic nucleus nature. However, if the source is Galactic, the small inferred X-ray emitting region is reminiscent of a heated pulsar polar cap, possibly pointing to a binary pulsar nature. X-ray timing searches do not detect significant modulations in all candidates, implying pulsed fraction upper limits of 13 - 19% ($0.001-13.5$ Hz). The absence of pulsations in the FAST observations targeting eRASSU J081952.1-131930 and eRASSU J084046.2-115222 excludes periodic magnetospheric emission at 1 - 1.5 GHz with an $8σ$ significance down to 4.08 $μ$Jy and 2.72 $μ$Jy, respectively. The long-term X-ray emission of all sources does not imply significant variability. Additional observations are warranted to establish exact neutron star types. At the same time, the confirmation of the predominantly thermal neutron star nature in four additional sources highlights the power of SRG/eROSITA to complement the Galactic INS population. △ Less

Submitted 24 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 12 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

GRB 240715A: Revealing Novel Intrinsic Mechanism by Different Individual Pulse

Authors: Wen-Jun Tan, Chen-Wei Wang, Shao-Lin Xiong, Shi-Jie Zheng, Jiang He, Xiao-Yun Zhao, Yue Huang, Shu-Xu Yi, Bing Li, He Gao, Bo-bing Wu, Bing Zhang, Frederic Daigne, Maria-Grazia Bernardini, Bin-Bin Zhang, Stephane Basa, Bertrand Cordier, Jin-Song Deng, Yong-Wei Dong, Damien Dornic, Olivier Godet, Xu-Hui Han, Mao-Hai Huang, Cyril Lachaud, Hua-Li Li , et al. (15 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The Space-based multiband astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM), detected its first short gamma-ray burst, GRB 240715A, in-flight, which was jointly observed by Fermi. Based on observational data of SVOM/GRM and Fermi/GBM, we perform a comprehensive temporal and spectral analysis for individual pulse in the prompt emission of this burst, and novel characteristics are revealed. Firstly, oppo… ▽ More The Space-based multiband astronomical Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM), detected its first short gamma-ray burst, GRB 240715A, in-flight, which was jointly observed by Fermi. Based on observational data of SVOM/GRM and Fermi/GBM, we perform a comprehensive temporal and spectral analysis for individual pulse in the prompt emission of this burst, and novel characteristics are revealed. Firstly, opposite evolutions of spectral lag are found in the first and third pulse of this burst. Second, the large negative lag of the first pulse is an outlier in short GRB sample, especially when the pulse duration is considered. Spectral analysis shows that the negative lag of the first pulse is caused by the evolution of spectrum index, and is irrelevant to Epeak, which is inconsistent with the previous study. The intrinsic mechanism is probably attributed to electron cooling in the decaying magnetic field, which leads to the continuous hardening of the spectrum index and results in negative lag. Furthermore, spectral analysis also shows that the third pulse is more likely to be described by a quasi-thermal spectrum, indicating the existence of photospheric emission. It is difficult to explain how the synchrotron radiation appears before photospheric emission in a single GRB and some assumptions are discussed. △ Less

Submitted 23 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 21 pages, 4 figures, accepted by The Astrophysical Journal Letters

Advancing Identification method of Gamma-Ray Bursts with Data and Feature Enhancement

Authors: Peng Zhang, Bing Li, Ren-Zhou Gui, Shao-Lin Xiong, Yu Wang, Shi-Jie Zheng, Guang-Cheng Xiao, Xiao-Bo Li, Yue Huang, Chen-Wei Wang, Jia-Cong Liu, Yan-Qiu Zhang, Wang-Chen Xue, Chao Zheng, Yue Wang

Abstract: Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are challenging to identify due to their transient nature, complex temporal profiles, and limited observational datasets. We address this with a one-dimensional convolutional neural network integrated with an Adaptive Frequency Feature Enhancement module and physics-informed data augmentation. Our framework generates 100,000 synthetic GRB samples, expanding training data di… ▽ More Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are challenging to identify due to their transient nature, complex temporal profiles, and limited observational datasets. We address this with a one-dimensional convolutional neural network integrated with an Adaptive Frequency Feature Enhancement module and physics-informed data augmentation. Our framework generates 100,000 synthetic GRB samples, expanding training data diversity and volume while preserving physical fidelity-especially for low-significance events. The model achieves 97.46% classification accuracy, outperforming all tested variants with conventional enhancement modules, highlighting enhanced domain-specific feature capture. Feature visualization shows model focuses on deep-seated morphological features and confirms the capability of extracting physically meaningful burst characteristics. Dimensionality reduction and clustering reveal GRBs with similar morphologies or progenitor origins cluster in the feature space, linking learned features to physical properties. This perhaps offers a novel diagnostic tool for identifying kilonova- and supernova-associated GRB candidates, establishing criteria to enhance multi-messenger early-warning systems. The framework aids current time-domain surveys, generalizes to other rare transients, and advances automated detection in large-volume observational data. △ Less

Submitted 11 December, 2025; v1 submitted 19 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in the ApJS

Revisiting the Possibility of a Sharp Phase Transition in Cold Neutron Stars

Authors: Bao-Jun Cai, Bao-An Li, Yu-Gang Ma

Abstract: First-order phase transitions (FOPTs) in cold neutron stars (NSs) have been extensively studied and have provided valuable insights into the behavior of the densest matter visible in our Universe, although a strong consensus has yet to emerge. Revisiting the possibility of a hadron-quark FOPT from a new perspective, we examine the interplay between the coupled nature of gravity and microscopic int… ▽ More First-order phase transitions (FOPTs) in cold neutron stars (NSs) have been extensively studied and have provided valuable insights into the behavior of the densest matter visible in our Universe, although a strong consensus has yet to emerge. Revisiting the possibility of a hadron-quark FOPT from a new perspective, we examine the interplay between the coupled nature of gravity and microscopic interactions in Tolman--Oppenheimer--Volkoff (TOV) equations and the fundamental requirements of thermodynamic consistency in NSs. We demonstrate that a sharp FOPT manifested as a plateau in the equation of state (EOS) $P(\varepsilon)$, i.e., pressure $P$ versus energy density $\varepsilon$, is intrinsically incompatible with the regularity conditions of the TOV solutions. Although numerical integrations of the TOV equations with EOSs incorporating FOPTs may yield seemingly reasonable mass-radius relations consistent with current observations, such results can mask underlying inconsistencies. Our analysis thus establishes a structural consistency criterion for constraining dense-matter EOSs using NS observables, complementing existing studies of possible phase transitions in NS interiors. △ Less

Submitted 11 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 9 pages with 2 figures

Charge-dependent spectral softenings of primary cosmic-rays from proton to iron below the knee

Authors: DAMPE Collaboration, Francesca Alemanno, Qi An, Philipp Azzarello, Felicia-Carla-Tiziana Barbato, Paolo Bernardini, Xiao-Jun Bi, Hugo Valentin Boutin, Irene Cagnoli, Ming-Sheng Cai, Elisabetta Casilli, Jin Chang, Deng-Yi Chen, Jun-Ling Chen, Zhan-Fang Chen, Zi-Xuan Chen, Paul Coppin, Ming-Yang Cui, Tian-Shu Cui, Ivan De Mitri, Francesco de Palma, Adriano Di Giovanni, Tie-Kuang Dong, Zhen-Xing Dong, Giacinto Donvito , et al. (124 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: In most particle acceleration mechanisms, the maximum energy of the cosmic rays can achieve is charge dependent. However, the observational verification of such a fundamental relation is still lack due to the difficulty of measuring the spectra of individual particles from one (kind of) source(s) up to very high energies. This work reports direct measurements of the carbon, oxygen, and iron spectr… ▽ More In most particle acceleration mechanisms, the maximum energy of the cosmic rays can achieve is charge dependent. However, the observational verification of such a fundamental relation is still lack due to the difficulty of measuring the spectra of individual particles from one (kind of) source(s) up to very high energies. This work reports direct measurements of the carbon, oxygen, and iron spectra from ~ 20 gigavolts to ~ 100 teravolts (~ 60 teravolts for iron) with 9 years of on-orbit data collected by the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE). Distinct spectral softenings have been directly detected in these spectra for the first time. Combined with the updated proton and helium spectra, the spectral softening appears universally at a rigidity of ~ 15 teravolts. A nuclei mass dependent softening is rejected at a confidence level of > 99.999%. Taking into account the correlated structures at similar energies in the large-scale anisotropies of cosmic rays, one of the most natural interpretations of the spectral structures is the presence of a nearby cosmic ray source. In this case, the softening energies correspond to the acceleration upper limits of such a source, forming the so-called Peters cycle of the spectra. The results thus offer observational verification of the long-standing prediction of the charge-dependent energy limit of cosmic ray acceleration. △ Less

Submitted 10 November, 2025; v1 submitted 7 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: This update corrects typos in the tables

Is The Trace Anomaly at its Minimum Value at Neutron Star Centers?

Authors: Bao-Jun Cai, Bao-An Li, Yu-Gang Ma

Abstract: While the equation of state (EOS) $P(\varepsilon)$ of neutron star (NS) matter has been extensively studied, the EOS-parameter $φ= P/\varepsilon$ or equivalently the dimensionless trace anomaly $Δ= 1/3 - φ$, which quantifies the balance between pressure $P$ and energy density $\varepsilon$, remains far less explored, especially in NS cores. Its bounds and density profile carry crucial information… ▽ More While the equation of state (EOS) $P(\varepsilon)$ of neutron star (NS) matter has been extensively studied, the EOS-parameter $φ= P/\varepsilon$ or equivalently the dimensionless trace anomaly $Δ= 1/3 - φ$, which quantifies the balance between pressure $P$ and energy density $\varepsilon$, remains far less explored, especially in NS cores. Its bounds and density profile carry crucial information about the nature of superdense matter. Physically, the EOS-parameter $φ$ represents the mean stiffness of matter accumulated from the stellar surface up to a given density. Based on the intrinsic structure of the Tolman--Oppenheimer--Volkoff equations, we show that $φ$ decreases monotonically outward from the NS center, independent of any specific input NS EOS model. Furthermore, observational evidence of a peak in the speed-of-sound squared (SSS) density-profile near the center effectively rules out a valley and a subsequent peak in the radial profile of $φ$ at similar densities, reinforcing its monotonic decrease. These model-independent relations impose strong constraints on the near-center behavior of the EOS-parameter $φ$, particularly demonstrating that the mean stiffness (or equivalently $Δ$) reaches a local maximum (minimum) at the center. △ Less

Submitted 8 December, 2025; v1 submitted 5 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: Changed the title and added a comment. Phys. Rev. D (2025) in press

A Star's Death by a Thousand Cuts: The Runaway Periodic Eruptions of AT2023uqm

Authors: Yibo Wang, Tingui Wang, Shifeng Huang, Jiazheng Zhu, Ning Jiang, Wenbin Lu, Rongfeng Shen, Shiyan Zhong, Dong Lai, Yi Yang, Xinwen Shu, Tianyu Xia, Di Luo, Jianwei Lyu, Thomas Brink, Alex Filippenko, Weikang Zheng, Minxuan Cai, Zelin Xu, Mingxin Wu, Xiaer Zhang, Weiyu Wu, Lulu Fan, Ji-an Jiang, Xu Kong , et al. (15 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Stars on bound orbits around a supermassive black hole may undergo repeated partial tidal disruption events (rpTDEs), producing periodic flares. While several candidates have been suggested, definitive confirmation of these events remains elusive. We report the discovery of AT2023uqm, a nuclear transient that has exhibited at least five periodic optical flares, making it only the second confirmed… ▽ More Stars on bound orbits around a supermassive black hole may undergo repeated partial tidal disruption events (rpTDEs), producing periodic flares. While several candidates have been suggested, definitive confirmation of these events remains elusive. We report the discovery of AT2023uqm, a nuclear transient that has exhibited at least five periodic optical flares, making it only the second confirmed case of periodicity after ASASSN-14ko. Uniquely, the flares from AT2023uqm show a nearly exponential increase in energy--a "runaway" phenomenon signaling the star's progressive destruction. This behavior is consistent with rpTDEs of low-mass, main-sequence stars or evolved giant stars. Multiwavelength observations and spectroscopic analysis of the two most recent flares reinforce its interpretation as an rpTDE. Intriguingly, each flare displays a similar double-peaked structure, potentially originating from a double-peaked mass fallback rate or two discrete collisions per orbit. The extreme ratio of peak separation to orbital period draws attention to the possibility of a giant star being disrupted, which could be distinguished from a low-mass main-sequence star by its future mass-loss evolution. Our analysis demonstrates the power of rpTDEs to probe the properties of disrupted stars and the physical processes of tidal disruption, though it is currently limited by our knowledge of these events. AT2023uqm emerges as the most compelling rpTDE thus far, serving as a crucial framework for modeling and understanding these phenomena. △ Less

Submitted 30 October, 2025; v1 submitted 30 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: Submitted. Comments are welcome

Evidence of cosmic-ray acceleration up to sub-PeV energies in the supernova remnant IC 443

Authors: Zhen Cao, F. Aharonian, Y. X. Bai, Y. W. Bao, D. Bastieri, X. J. Bi, Y. J. Bi, W. Bian, A. V. Bukevich, C. M. Cai, W. Y. Cao, Zhe Cao, J. Chang, J. F. Chang, A. M. Chen, E. S. Chen, G. H. Chen, H. X. Chen, Liang Chen, Long Chen, M. J. Chen, M. L. Chen, Q. H. Chen, S. Chen, S. H. Chen , et al. (291 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Supernova remnants (SNRs) have been considered as the primary contributors to cosmic rays (CRs) in our Galaxy. However, the maximum energy of particles that can be accelerated by shocks of SNRs is uncertain observationally and theoretically, and the role of contribution to CRs around PeV energies by SNRs is unclear. In this study, we present observations of high-energy $γ$-ray emission from the SN… ▽ More Supernova remnants (SNRs) have been considered as the primary contributors to cosmic rays (CRs) in our Galaxy. However, the maximum energy of particles that can be accelerated by shocks of SNRs is uncertain observationally and theoretically, and the role of contribution to CRs around PeV energies by SNRs is unclear. In this study, we present observations of high-energy $γ$-ray emission from the SNR IC 443 using the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). The morphological analysis reveals a pointlike source whose location and spectrum are consistent with those of the Fermi-LAT-detected compact source with $π^0$-decay signature, and a more extended source which is consistent with a newly discovered source, previously unrecognized by Fermi-LAT. The spectrum of the point source can be described by a power-law function with an index of $\sim3.0$, extending beyond $\sim 30$ TeV without apparent cutoff. Assuming a hadronic origin of the $γ$-ray emission, the $95\%$ lower limit of accelerated protons reaches about 300 TeV. The extended source might be coincident with IC 443, SNR G189.6+3.3 or the putative pulsar wind nebula CXOU J061705.3+222127, and can be explained by either a hadronic or leptonic model. The LHAASO results provide compelling evidence that CR protons up to sub-PeV energies can be accelerated by the SNR. △ Less

Submitted 29 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Study of Neutron Star Properties under the Two-Flavor Quark NJL Model

Authors: Chunran Zhu, Bolin Li

Abstract: The Equation of State (EOS) of matter within neutron stars is a central topic in nuclear physics and astrophysics. A precise understanding of the composition and phase behavior of matter under such extreme conditions is crucial for uncovering the fundamental laws of the strong interaction. This study investigates hadron-quark hybrid stars using a two-flavor Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model. As an ef… ▽ More The Equation of State (EOS) of matter within neutron stars is a central topic in nuclear physics and astrophysics. A precise understanding of the composition and phase behavior of matter under such extreme conditions is crucial for uncovering the fundamental laws of the strong interaction. This study investigates hadron-quark hybrid stars using a two-flavor Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model. As an effective theory, this model can describe the generation of dynamical quark masses and chiral symmetry restoration characteristic of dense quark matter. We construct the hybrid EOS by joining the BSR6 relativistic mean-field model for hadronic matter with the NJL model for quark matter. A quintic polynomial interpolation ensures a smooth ($C^2$ continuity) and thermodynamically consistent crossover between the phases. Based on this hybrid EOS, we solve the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equations to calculate macroscopic properties of neutron stars, such as the mass-radius ($M-R$) relationship and the tidal deformability parameter ($Λ$). By exploring key model parameters, we identify a region satisfying a wide range of multi-messenger constraints. Our resulting EOS supports a maximum mass consistent with PSR J0740+6620, while simultaneously predicting radii and tidal deformabilities for a $1.4M_{\odot}$ star that agree with NICER observations and limits from GW170817. This work thus presents a self-consistent model that resolves the tension between high-mass pulsars and small tidal deformabilities, deepening our understanding of the hadron-quark crossover. △ Less

Submitted 27 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 22 pages,4 figures

ACM Class: J.2; I.6.3

Unveil A Peculiar Light Curve Pattern of Magnetar Burst with GECAM observations of SGR J1935+2154

Authors: Yue Wang, Chen-Wei Wang, Shaolin Xiong, Xiao Xiao, Yanqiu Zhang, Sheng-Lun Xie, Lin Lin, Yuan-Pei Yang, Haoxuan Guo, Ce Cai, Yue Huang, Cheng-Kui Li, Bing Li, Xiaobo Li, Jiacong Liu, Xiang Ma, Liming Song, Wen-Jun Tan, Ping Wang, Wang-Chen Xue, Shu-Xu Yi, Yun-Wei Yu, Zheng-Hang Yu, Jin-Peng Zhang, Peng Zhang , et al. (6 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Magnetar X-ray Burst (MXB) is usually composed of a single pulse or multiple pulses with rapid rise and brief duration mostly observed in hard X-ray (soft gamma-ray) band. Previous work studied the temporal behavior of some magnetar bursts and employed the Fast Rise Exponential Decay (FRED) model to fit pulses of MXB. However, whether there is other kind of pulse shape has not been explored. In th… ▽ More Magnetar X-ray Burst (MXB) is usually composed of a single pulse or multiple pulses with rapid rise and brief duration mostly observed in hard X-ray (soft gamma-ray) band. Previous work studied the temporal behavior of some magnetar bursts and employed the Fast Rise Exponential Decay (FRED) model to fit pulses of MXB. However, whether there is other kind of pulse shape has not been explored. In this study, we systematically examined light curve of MXBs from SGR J1935+2154 detected by GECAM between 2021 and 2022. We find that there are different light curve morphologies. Especially, we discover a peculiar and new pattern, Exponential Rise and Cut-Off Decay (ERCOD), which is significantly different from FRED and could be well described by a mathematical function we proposed. We find that MXBs with ERCOD shape are generally longer in duration, brighter in the peak flux, and harder in spectrum. We note that the ERCOD shape is not unique to SGR J1935+2154 but also present in other magnetars. This new light curve pattern may imply a special burst and radiation mechanism of magnetar. △ Less

Submitted 13 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted to publication on ApJ

A Giant Peanut-shaped Ultra-High-Energy Gamma-Ray Emitter Off the Galactic Plane

Authors: Zhen Cao, Felix Aharonian, Yunxiang Bai, Yiwei Bao, Denis Bastieri, Xiaojun Bi, YuJiang Bi, Mr Bian WenYi, A. Butkevich, Chengmiao Cai, Wenyu Cao, Zhe Cao, Jin Chang, Jinfan Chang, Mr Aming Chen, Ensheng Chen, Mr Guo-Hai Chen, Mr Huaxi Chen, Liang Chen, Long Chen, Mingjun Chen, Mali Chen, Qihui Chen, Shi Chen, Suhong Chen , et al. (291 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Ultra-high-energy (UHE), exceeding 100 TeV (10^12 electronvolts), γ-rays manifests extreme particle acceleration in astrophysical sources. Recent observations by γ-ray telescopes, particularly by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), have revealed a few tens of UHE sources, indicating numerous Galactic sources capable of accelerating particles to PeV (10^15 electronvolts) energi… ▽ More Ultra-high-energy (UHE), exceeding 100 TeV (10^12 electronvolts), γ-rays manifests extreme particle acceleration in astrophysical sources. Recent observations by γ-ray telescopes, particularly by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), have revealed a few tens of UHE sources, indicating numerous Galactic sources capable of accelerating particles to PeV (10^15 electronvolts) energies. However, discerning the dominant acceleration mechanisms (leptonic versus hadronic), the relative contributions of specific source classes, and the role of particle transport in shaping their observed emission are central goals of modern UHE astrophysics. Here we report the discovery of a giant UHE γ-ray emitter at -17.5° off the Galactic plane - a region where UHE γ-ray sources are rarely found. The emitter exhibits a distinctive asymmetric shape, resembling a giant "Peanut" spanning 0.45° \times 4.6°, indicative of anisotropic particle distribution over a large area. A highly aged millisecond pulsar (MSP) J0218+4232 is the sole candidate accelerator positionally coincident with the Peanut region. Its association with UHE γ-rays extending to 0.7 PeV, if confirmed, would provide the first evidence of a millisecond pulsar powering PeV particles. Such a finding challenges prevailing models, which posit that millisecond pulsars cannot sustain acceleration to PeV energies. The detection reveals fundamental gaps in understanding particle acceleration, cosmic-ray transport, and interstellar magnetic field effects, potentially revealing new PeV accelerator (PeVatron) classes. △ Less

Submitted 25 October, 2025; v1 submitted 8 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Beyond $ρ^{2/3}$ Scaling: Microscopic Origins and Multimessengers of High-Density Nuclear Symmetry Energy

Authors: Bao-An Li

Abstract: Nuclear symmetry energy $E_{\mathrm{sym}}(ρ)$ encoding the cost to make nuclear matter more neutron rich has been the most uncertain component of the EOS of dense neutron-rich nucleonic matter. It affects significantly the radii, tidal deformations, cooling rates and frequencies of various oscillation modes of isolated neutron stars as well as the strain amplitude and frequencies of gravitational… ▽ More Nuclear symmetry energy $E_{\mathrm{sym}}(ρ)$ encoding the cost to make nuclear matter more neutron rich has been the most uncertain component of the EOS of dense neutron-rich nucleonic matter. It affects significantly the radii, tidal deformations, cooling rates and frequencies of various oscillation modes of isolated neutron stars as well as the strain amplitude and frequencies of gravitational waves from their mergers, besides its many effects on structures of nuclei as well as the dynamics and observables of their collisions. Siemens (1970s) observed that $E_{\mathrm{sym}}(ρ)$ scales as $(ρ/ρ_0)^{2/3}$ near the saturation density $ρ_0$ of nuclear matter, since both the kinetic part and the potential contribution (quadratic in momentum) exhibit this dependence. The scaling holds if: (1) the nucleon isoscalar potential is quadratic in momentum, and (2) the isovector interaction is weakly density dependent. After examining many empirical evidences and understanding theoretical findings in the literature we conclude that: (1) Siemens' $ρ^{2/3}$ scaling is robust and serves as a valuable benchmark for both nuclear theories and experiments up to $2ρ_0$ but breaks down at higher densities, (2) Experimental and theoretical findings about $E_{\mathrm{sym}}(ρ)$ up to $2ρ_0$ are broadly consistent, but uncertainties remain large for its curvature $K_{\mathrm{sym}}$ and higher-order parameters, (3) Above $2ρ_0$, uncertainties grow due to poorly constrained spin-isospin dependent tensor and three-body forces as well as the resulting nucleon short-range correlations. Looking forward, combining multimessengers from both observations of neutron stars and terrestrial heavy-ion reaction experiments is the most promising path to finally constraining precisely the high-density $E_{\mathrm{sym}}(ρ)$ and the EOS of supradense neutron-rich matter. △ Less

Submitted 6 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 43-pages invited contribution to the Euro. Phys. Jour. Special Topic on "High density nuclear matter". This article is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Philip J. Siemens (1943-2023)

A quantum information method for early universe with non-trivial sound speed

Authors: Shi-Cheng Liu, Lei-Hua Liu, Bichu Li, Hai-Qing Zhang, Peng-Zhang He

Abstract: Many quantum gravitational frameworks, such as DBI inflation, k-essence, and effective field theories obtained by integrating out heavy modes, can lead to a non-trivial sound speed. Meanwhile, our universe can be described as an open system. Under the non-trivial sound speed, we employ the method of open quantum systems combined with Arnoldi iterations to study the Krylov complexity throughout the… ▽ More Many quantum gravitational frameworks, such as DBI inflation, k-essence, and effective field theories obtained by integrating out heavy modes, can lead to a non-trivial sound speed. Meanwhile, our universe can be described as an open system. Under the non-trivial sound speed, we employ the method of open quantum systems combined with Arnoldi iterations to study the Krylov complexity throughout the early universe, including the inflationary, radiation-dominated, and matter-dominated epochs. A key ingredient in our analysis is the open two-mode squeezed state formalism and the generalized Lanczos algorithm. To numerically compute the Krylov complexity, we are the first time to derive the evolution equations for the parameters $r_k$ and $φ_k$ within an open two-mode squeezed state. Our results indicate that the Krylov complexity exhibits a similar trend in both the standard case and the case with non-trivial sound speed. To distinguish between these two scenarios, we also investigate the Krylov entropy for completeness. The evolution of the Krylov entropy shows a clear difference between the standard case and the non-trivial sound speed case. Furthermore, based on the behavior of the Lanczos coefficients, we find that the case of non-trivial sound speed behaves as a maximally chaotic system. However, our numerical results suggest that the Krylov complexity does not saturate to a constant value due to the huge expansion of spacetime background. This study offers a new perspective for exploring the early universe through the quantum information. △ Less

Submitted 4 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 32 pages, 8 figures

Investigation of hadronic cross sections of cosmic ray carbon and oxygen on BGO from 200 GeV to 10 TeV energy at the DAMPE experiment

Authors: F. Alemanno, Q. An, P. Azzarello, F. C. T. Barbato, P. Bernardini, X. J. Bi, H. Boutin, I. Cagnoli, M. S. Cai, E. Casilli, E. Catanzani, J. Chang, D. Y. Chen, J. L. Chen, Z. F. Chen, Z. X. Chen, P. Coppin, M. Y. Cui, T. S. Cui, Y. X. Cui, I. De Mitri, F. de Palma, A. Di Giovanni, T. K. Dong, Z. X. Dong , et al. (122 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) has made significant progress in measuring the fluxes of cosmic rays. These new measurements are pivotal in advancing our understanding of the origins and propagation mechanisms of cosmic rays. The bismuth germanium oxide (BGO) calorimeter plays a crucial role in these measurements, particularly in the precise determination of cosmic ray fluxes. However, f… ▽ More The Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) has made significant progress in measuring the fluxes of cosmic rays. These new measurements are pivotal in advancing our understanding of the origins and propagation mechanisms of cosmic rays. The bismuth germanium oxide (BGO) calorimeter plays a crucial role in these measurements, particularly in the precise determination of cosmic ray fluxes. However, for a calorimetric experiment like DAMPE, uncertainties in hadronic models persist as a major barrier in achieving more accurate measurements of fluxes of cosmic ray nuclei. This study centers on the measurement of the inelastic hadronic cross sections of carbon and oxygen nuclei interacting with BGO crystals target over an extensive energy range, spanning from 200 GeV to 10 TeV. For carbon nuclei interacting with the BGO target, the measurements of the cross sections have achieved a total relative uncertainty of less than 10% below 8 TeV for carbon, and below 3 TeV for oxygen. For oxygen nuclei, the same level of precision was attained below 3 TeV. Additionally, we compare the experimental results with Geant4 and FLUKA simulations to validate the accuracy and consistency of these simulation tools. Through comprehensive analysis of the inelastic hadronic interaction cross sections, this research provides validation for the hadronic interaction models used in DAMPE's cosmic-ray flux measurements. △ Less

Submitted 21 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Revealing Event Rate of Repeating Fast Radio Bursts

Authors: Q. Pan, X. Y. Du, Z. B. Zhang, Y. F. Huang, L. B. Li, G. A. Li

Abstract: How the event rate of fast radio bursts (FRBs) evolves with redshift is a hot topic to explore their cosmological origin and the circum-burst environment. Particularly, it is urgent to know what the difference of event rates between repeating and non-repeating FRBs is. For the first time, we calculate the event rates of repeating FRBs detected by diverse telescopes at frequencies higher/lower than… ▽ More How the event rate of fast radio bursts (FRBs) evolves with redshift is a hot topic to explore their cosmological origin and the circum-burst environment. Particularly, it is urgent to know what the difference of event rates between repeating and non-repeating FRBs is. For the first time, we calculate the event rates of repeating FRBs detected by diverse telescopes at frequencies higher/lower than 1 GHz in this work. Luminosity and redshift are found to be positively correlated with a power law form for both high- and low-frequency FRBs, showing an obvious evolution of luminosity with redshift. Furthermore, we compare the differential luminosity and local event rate distributions of high- and low-luminosity FRBs at different frequencies. It is found that the event rates of these sub-samples of repeating FRBs similarly exceed the star formation rate at lower redshift than 1. Interestingly, we confirm with bootstrap method that the event rates of low-frequency FRBs exhibit different evolution patterns and are higher than that of high-frequency ones. △ Less

Submitted 15 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 11 pages, 7 figures and 5 tables. Comments are welcome

Illuminating dark matter admixed in neutron stars with simultaneous mass-radius constraints

Authors: Nai-Bo Zhang, Bao-An Li, Jia-Yu Zhang, Wei-Na Shen, Hui Zhang

Abstract: We investigate how simultaneous mass and radius measurements of massive neutron stars (NSs) can help constrain properties of dark matter (DM) possibly admixed in them. Within a fermionic DM model that interacts only through gravitation, along with a well-constrained nuclear matter equation of state, we show that the simultaneous mass and radius measurement of PSRJ0740+6620 reduces the uncertainty… ▽ More We investigate how simultaneous mass and radius measurements of massive neutron stars (NSs) can help constrain properties of dark matter (DM) possibly admixed in them. Within a fermionic DM model that interacts only through gravitation, along with a well-constrained nuclear matter equation of state, we show that the simultaneous mass and radius measurement of PSRJ0740+6620 reduces the uncertainty of DM central energy density by more than 50\% compared to the results obtained from using the two observables independently, while other DM parameters remain unconstrained. Additionally, we find that the DM fraction $f_D$ should be smaller than 2\% when constrained by the observed NS maximum mass alone, and it could be even smaller than 0.3\% with the simultaneous measurement of mass and radius, supporting the conclusion that only a small amount of DM exists in DM admixed neutron stars (DANS). △ Less

Submitted 6 October, 2025; v1 submitted 9 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 14 pages, 5 figures, published in Symmetry

Journal ref: Symmetry, 17, 1669 (2025)

Numerical Simulation for General Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics in Dynamic Spacetimes

Authors: Beibei Li

Abstract: We present a novel spectral solver for general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics on dynamical spacetimes. By combining a high order discontinuous spectral method on mapped Chebyshev Fourier grids, our scheme attains exponential convergence. Implemented within a unified BSSN Valencia framework, the code evolves both Einstein and MHD fields self consistently, enabling fully coupled simulations of bl… ▽ More We present a novel spectral solver for general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics on dynamical spacetimes. By combining a high order discontinuous spectral method on mapped Chebyshev Fourier grids, our scheme attains exponential convergence. Implemented within a unified BSSN Valencia framework, the code evolves both Einstein and MHD fields self consistently, enabling fully coupled simulations of black hole accretion jet systems. We demonstrate spectral accuracy and entropy stability through convergence tests, and validate physical fidelity via equatorial embedding diagrams of horizon crossing GRMHD variables in Kerr Schild coordinates. Three dimensional scatter visualizations further highlight the solver's capability to capture complex magnetized plasma structures around rotating black holes. This approach paves the way for high order, low dissipation GRMHD simulations on exascale architectures, opening new avenues for precise modeling of strong field astrophysical phenomena. △ Less

Submitted 14 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Multiwavelength Observations of the Apparently Non-repeating FRB 20250316A

Authors: Ye Li, Hui Sun, Lei Qian, Dong-Yue Li, Yan-Long Hua, Li-Ping Xin, Cheng-Kui Li, Yi-Han Wang, Jia-Rui Niu, Tian-Rui Sun, Zhu-Heng Yao, Jin-Jun Geng, Chi-Chuan Jin, Nanda Rea, Yuan Liu, Zhi-Chen Pan, Tao An, Vadim Burwitz, Zhi-Ming Cai, Jin-Huang Cao, Yong Chen, Hua-Qing Cheng, Wei-Wei Cui, Hua Feng, Peter Friedrich , et al. (50 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The physical origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs) remains uncertain. Although multiwavelength observations have been widely conducted, only Galactic FRB~20200428D is associated with an X-ray burst from the magnetar SGR J1935+2154. Here, we present multiwavelength follow-up observations of the nearby bright FRB~20250316A, including the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), Ein… ▽ More The physical origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs) remains uncertain. Although multiwavelength observations have been widely conducted, only Galactic FRB~20200428D is associated with an X-ray burst from the magnetar SGR J1935+2154. Here, we present multiwavelength follow-up observations of the nearby bright FRB~20250316A, including the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), Einstein Probe (EP) X-ray mission, Chandra X-ray Observatory, Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST) and Space Variable Object Monitor/Visible Telescope (SVOM/VT). The 13.08-hour FAST follow-up campaign without pulse detection requires an energy distribution flatter than those of well-known repeating FRBs, suggesting that this burst is likely a one-off event. A prompt EP follow-up and multi-epoch observational campaign totaling $>$ 100 ks led to the detection of an X-ray source within the angular resolution of its Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT, $10^{\prime\prime}$). A subsequent Chandra observation revealed this source to be offset by $7^{\prime\prime}$ from the FRB position, and established a 0.5-10 keV flux upper limit of $7.6\times 10^{-15}$ $\rm erg\,cm^{-2}\,s^{-1}$ at the FRB position, corresponding to $\sim 10^{39}$ $\rm erg\,s^{-1}$ at the 40 Mpc distance of the host galaxy NGC~4141. These results set one of the most stringent limits on X-ray emission from a non-repeating FRB, disfavoring ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs) as counterparts of apparently one-off FRBs and offering critical insights into afterglow models. Our study suggests that an arcsecond localization of both the FRB and its potential X-ray counterpart is essential for exploring the X-ray counterpart of an FRB. △ Less

Submitted 18 November, 2025; v1 submitted 19 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Constraining fuzzy dark matter with the 21-cm power spectrum from Cosmic Dawn and Reionization

Authors: Shihang Liu, Yilin Liu, Bowen Peng, Mengzhou Xie, Zelong Liu, Bohua Li, Yi Mao

Abstract: The 21-cm signals from Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization contain valuable information on cosmological structure formation dominated by dark matter. Measurements of the 21-cm power spectrum can thus probe certain dark matter candidates. Here we investigate the impacts of fuzzy dark matter (FDM) on the 21-cm signals, taking into account both the linear matter power spectrum and the halo mass… ▽ More The 21-cm signals from Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization contain valuable information on cosmological structure formation dominated by dark matter. Measurements of the 21-cm power spectrum can thus probe certain dark matter candidates. Here we investigate the impacts of fuzzy dark matter (FDM) on the 21-cm signals, taking into account both the linear matter power spectrum and the halo mass function (HMF) in FDM cosmologies. The full FDM dynamics are implemented in reionization simulations, along with a new ansatz on modulation of the FDM HMF by the linear overdensity. Not only does the suppression of FDM halos on small scales give rise to delay of the signature epochs during cosmic reionization, but these epochs are also shortened relative to the cold dark matter cosmology. In addition, we find that while the FDM effects on the 21-cm power spectrum are dominated by its linear dynamics early in Cosmic Dawn, a correct FDM HMF resulting from nonlinear wave dynamics must be considered when X-ray heating begins. We forecast the constraints on the FDM model parameters from upcoming 21-cm power spectrum measurements by SKA1-Low (central area). In FDM cosmologies with $m_\mathrm{FDM}=10^{-21}$ eV, SKA1-Low will be able to constrain the boson mass to within $\sim10$% at 2$σ$ confidence with a mock 1080-hour observation, if the ionizing efficiency is mass independent. However, our results show that realistic astrophysical processes are degenerate with the FDM effects, which shall severely loosen the constraints on the boson mass from 21-cm power spectrum data alone. △ Less

Submitted 13 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 15 pages, 13 figures, 5 tables, submitted. Comments welcome!

Millisecond Pulsars in M2: New discoveries and a detailed timing analysis

Authors: Baoda Li, Kuo Liu, Lin Wang, Shunyi Lan, P. C. C. Freire, Pinsong Zhao, Liyun Zhang, Zhengwei Liu, Lei Qian, Wu Jiang, Dejiang Yin, Yaowei Li, Yinfeng Dai, Yang Liu, Xiangcun Meng, Zhichen Pan

Abstract: Globular clusters (GCs) offer a unique environment for discovering and studying millisecond pulsars. In this paper, we present a multi-epoch search and detailed timing analysis of millisecond pulsars in the GC M2, using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope. We have discovered two new binary millisecond pulsars in M2, designated M2F and M2G, respectively. We provide measurements of t… ▽ More Globular clusters (GCs) offer a unique environment for discovering and studying millisecond pulsars. In this paper, we present a multi-epoch search and detailed timing analysis of millisecond pulsars in the GC M2, using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope. We have discovered two new binary millisecond pulsars in M2, designated M2F and M2G, respectively. We provide measurements of the emission properties of all known pulsars in M2, including their polarization profiles, rotation measures, flux densities, scintillation characteristics, and so forth. In particular, we report the first rotation measure at the distance and direction of this cluster. Additionally, we report the first phase-coherent timing solutions for the M2 pulsars. From our Bayesian timing analysis, we have measured their spin and orbital parameters with high precision, including the advance of periastron for M2A and M2E indicating total system masses of 1.75(13) and 1.80(5) solar masses respectively. Using archival data from the Hubble Space Telescope, we have identified an optical counterpart of M2C, which is likely the white dwarf companion of the pulsar. By combining results from optical and radio observations, we have reconstructed the binary evolution track of this system and estimated the cooling age of the companion to be approximately 10\,Myr, making it the youngest white dwarf in any known GC binary pulsars. Furthermore, using the spin period derivatives of M2 pulsars, we have investigated the gravitational potential of the cluster and found that our results strongly support the latest central-stellar-velocity dispersion measurement in M2. △ Less

Submitted 8 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 12 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

Illuminating Hidden Pulsars: Scintillation-Enhanced Discovery of Two Binary Millisecond Pulsars in M13 with FAST

Authors: Dejiang Yin, Lin Wang, Li-yun Zhang, Lei Qian, Baoda Li, Kuo Liu, Bo Peng, Yinfeng Dai, Yaowei Li, Zhichen Pan

Abstract: We conducted a sensitive acceleration search using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) techniques on full-length and segmented data from 84 observations of the globular cluster M13 with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Employing a low detection threshold (2 $σ$) to maximize sensitivity to faint pulsars, here we report the discovery of two binary millisecond pulsars: J1641… ▽ More We conducted a sensitive acceleration search using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) techniques on full-length and segmented data from 84 observations of the globular cluster M13 with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Employing a low detection threshold (2 $σ$) to maximize sensitivity to faint pulsars, here we report the discovery of two binary millisecond pulsars: J1641+3627G (M13G) and J1641+3627H (M13H). Both pulsars were detected during scintillation-brightened states, revealing systems that would otherwise remain undetected. For M13G, we obtained a phase-connected timing solution spanning 6.4 years, identifying it as a black widow system with an orbital period of 0.12 days hosting an extremely low-mass companion ($\sim 9.9\times 10^{-3}~{ M}_\odot$), though no eclipses were observed. M13H, however, shows significant apparent acceleration but was detected in only 2 of 84 observations; its extremely low detection rate currently prevents constraints on orbital parameters or classification. △ Less

Submitted 8 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

A comprehensive search for Long and Short Periodic Features from an Extremely Active Cycle of FRB 20240114A

Authors: Dengke Zhou, Pei Wang, Jianhua Fang, Weiwei Zhu, Bing Zhang, Di Li, Yi Feng, Yong-Feng Huang, Ke-Jia Lee, Jinlin Han, Yuan-Chuan Zou, Jun-Shuo Zhang, Shuo Xiao, Rui Luo, Long-Xuan Zhang, Tian-Cong Wang, Wanjin Lu, Jinhuang Cao, Wenfei Yu, Bing Li, Chen-Chen Miao, Jintao Xie, Yunchuan Chen, Han Wang, Yuanhong Qu , et al. (34 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Possible periodic features in fast radio bursts (FRBs) may provide insights into their astrophysical origins. Using extensive observations from the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), we conduct a multi-timescale periodicity search for the exceptionally active repeater FRB~20240114A. Our analysis is based on different datasets for different timescales: for short-timescale… ▽ More Possible periodic features in fast radio bursts (FRBs) may provide insights into their astrophysical origins. Using extensive observations from the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), we conduct a multi-timescale periodicity search for the exceptionally active repeater FRB~20240114A. Our analysis is based on different datasets for different timescales: for short-timescale periodicity in Time of Arrivals (TOAs), we use 57 observations from January to August 2024; for long-timescale periodicity, we employ an extended TOA dataset comprising 111 observations spanning from January 2024 to October 2025; and for burst time series analysis, we utilize individual burst data from the 57 FAST observations. We identify three candidate short-timescale periodic signals (0.673~s, 0.635~s, and 0.536~s) with significances of $3.2σ$--$6σ$, each detected in two independent observations. On longer timescales, we detect a significant $143.40\pm7.19$-day periodicity with $5.2σ$ significance, establishing FRB~20240114A as a periodic repeater. In burst time series, we find quasi-periodic oscillations in the few hundred Hz range ($3.4σ$ and $3.7σ$) and periodic burst trains with periods of several to tens of milliseconds ($3σ$--$3.9σ$), though these periodic features appear transient and short-lived. The detection of periodic signals at these different time scales indicates that FRB 20240114A exhibits intriguing periodic self-similar characteristics. Despite the comprehensive dataset, no definitive periodicity linked to the source's rotation is confirmed, placing stringent constraints on the intrinsic source properties and the modulation mechanisms. All data are available via the Science Data Bank. △ Less

Submitted 7 November, 2025; v1 submitted 19 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: The 2nd of papers from the FAST FRB Key Science Project Collaboration on FRB 20240114A: (quasi-) period search

Nonlinear reconstruction of general dark energy theories

Authors: Yunhao Gao, Baojiu Li, Jie Wang

Abstract: The large variety and number of dark energy (DE) theories make it impractical to perform detailed analyses on a case-by-case basis, which has motivated proposals to ``parameterize" theories to reduce the size of theory space. The leading approach to do this is the effective field theory of dark energy (EFTofDE), which can describe general Horndeski-type theories with a small number of observationa… ▽ More The large variety and number of dark energy (DE) theories make it impractical to perform detailed analyses on a case-by-case basis, which has motivated proposals to ``parameterize" theories to reduce the size of theory space. The leading approach to do this is the effective field theory of dark energy (EFTofDE), which can describe general Horndeski-type theories with a small number of observationally accessible time-dependent functions. However, the EFTofDE primarily works for linear perturbations, and extending it to obtain a fully non-linear description of DE theories, which is critical for theories with screening mechanisms, is challenging. In this paper, we present a general method for reconstructing the non-linear DE Lagrangian from the background expansion history and certain linear-perturbation quantities, building upon the EFTofDE framework. Using numerical examples, we demonstrate that this method is applicable to a wide range of single-scalar-field dark energy and modified gravity theories, including quintessence, scalar-tensor theory, $k$-essence, and generalized cubic Galileon with shift symmetry. For each of these theories, we discuss the validity of the method and factors affecting its results. While this method involves solving differential equations, we find that the initial conditions are not important for quintessence, scalar-tensor theory and $k$-essence, while for shift-symmetric cubic Galileon, the generic tracker solution can help transform differential equations into algebraic equations. This offers a useful framework to connect cosmological observations at the background and linear-perturbation levels to the underlying non-linear dynamics of dark energy, and will enable cosmological simulations to analyze and examine DE theories systematically and in much greater detail. △ Less

Submitted 9 September, 2025; v1 submitted 2 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 37 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables, the version accepted for publication in JCAP

Microlensing of dark matter models in the Milky Way

Authors: Bichu Li, Chan-Yu Tang, Zhuo-Ran Huang, Lei-Hua Liu

Abstract: We investigate constraints on the abundance of primordial black holes (PBHs) as dark matter (DM) candidates using five years of microlensing data from the OGLE survey. While the majority of OGLE's $\sim\!2000$ microlensing events are well-explained by stellar populations such as brown dwarfs, main-sequence stars, and compact remnants, a subset of six ultrashort-timescale events (… ▽ More We investigate constraints on the abundance of primordial black holes (PBHs) as dark matter (DM) candidates using five years of microlensing data from the OGLE survey. While the majority of OGLE's $\sim\!2000$ microlensing events are well-explained by stellar populations such as brown dwarfs, main-sequence stars, and compact remnants, a subset of six ultrashort-timescale events ($t_E \sim 0.1\text{--}0.3~\mathrm{days}$) may signal the presence of PBHs. Building upon prior work that adopted the Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) DM profile, we examine how alternative DM halo models -- specifically the Einasto and Burkert profiles, affect microlensing predictions and the constraints on PBH abundance. In light of kinematic data of Milky Way, we could obtain the range of ($r_s, ρ_s$) for both profiles. We computed differential microlensing event rates for both profiles, using the main-sequence star rate as an observational benchmark. Our results show that neither the Einasto nor Burkert profiles reproduce the distribution of main-sequence star events, yet both allow for viable explanations of the ultrashort-timescale events with PBH masses $M_{\mathrm{PBH}} \sim 10^{-5} M_\odot$. Using a Poisson likelihood analysis under the null hypothesis that no PBH is observed in OGLE dataset, we derive $95\%~\text{C.L.}$ upper and lower bounds on $f_{\mathrm{PBH}}$ for both profiles, finding that the constraints are significantly relaxed under Burkert profiles compared to the NFW case. These results show the sensitivity of PBH constraints to the assumed DM halo structure and highlight the importance of accurately modeling the inner Galactic density profile to robustly assess PBH dark matter scenarios. △ Less

Submitted 28 October, 2025; v1 submitted 1 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: To be published in JCAP

Journal ref: JCAP 12 (2025) 008

A Glimpse of Satellite Galaxies in the Milky Way with the 2.5-meter Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST): Bootes III and Draco

Authors: Chao Yang, Zhizheng Pan, Min Fang, Xian Zhong Zheng, Binyang Liu, Guoliang Li, Tian-Rui Sun, Ji-An Jiang, Miaomiao Zhang, Zhen Wan, Shuang Liu, Han Qu, Ji Yang, Xu Kong, Wenhao Liu, Yiping Shu, Jiang Chang, Tinggui Wang, Lulu Fan, Yongquan Xue, Wentao Luo, Hongxin Zhang, Zheng Lou, Haibin Zhao, Bin Li , et al. (12 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We carry out deep imaging of the Milky Way satellite galaxies, Bootes III and Draco, with WFST as one pilot observing program to demonstrate the capability of WFST. Combining catalogs with PS1 DR2 and Gaia DR3, we derive proper motions for candidate member stars in these two satellite galaxies over a 12-year time baseline, yielding uncertainties of ~1.8 mas/yr at 21 mag and ~3.0 mas/yr at 22 mag i… ▽ More We carry out deep imaging of the Milky Way satellite galaxies, Bootes III and Draco, with WFST as one pilot observing program to demonstrate the capability of WFST. Combining catalogs with PS1 DR2 and Gaia DR3, we derive proper motions for candidate member stars in these two satellite galaxies over a 12-year time baseline, yielding uncertainties of ~1.8 mas/yr at 21 mag and ~3.0 mas/yr at 22 mag in the r band. The proper motions derived from bright and faint stars are consistent, indicating no significant variation in proper motion across stellar luminosity as these galaxies undergo tidal interactions with the MW. Meanwhile, we suggest that Bootes III represents the bound remnant of the progenitor galaxy that gave rise to the Styx stream, as evidenced by its elongated density profile and overdensity in both spatial and kinematic space. This is the first paper to use WFST to measure the proper motions of faint stars in Milky Way satellite galaxies. More detailed analyses will be presented in forthcoming papers from the wide field survey (WFS) program. △ Less

Submitted 26 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 17 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Bayesian Quantification of Observability and Equation of State of Twin Stars

Authors: Xavier Grundler, Bao-An Li

Abstract: The possibility of discovering twin stars, two neutron stars (NSs) with the same mass but different radii, is usually studied in forward modelings by using a restricted number of NS matter equation of state (EOS) encapsulating a first-order phase transition from hadronic to quark matter (QM). Informing our likelihood function with the NS radius data from GW170817 and using a meta-model with 9-para… ▽ More The possibility of discovering twin stars, two neutron stars (NSs) with the same mass but different radii, is usually studied in forward modelings by using a restricted number of NS matter equation of state (EOS) encapsulating a first-order phase transition from hadronic to quark matter (QM). Informing our likelihood function with the NS radius data from GW170817 and using a meta-model with 9-parameters capable of mimicking most NS EOSs available in the literature, we conduct a Bayesian quantification of the observability and underlying EOSs of twin stars. Of the accepted EOSs, between 12-18\% yield twin stars, depending on the restrictions we place on the second branch. The possibility of twin stars remains robust even under recent observational constraints. We show that many of these twin star scenarios are observable with currently available levels of accuracy in measuring NS radii. We also present the marginalized posterior probability density functions (PDFs) of every EOS parameter for each of four mass-radius correlation topologies. We find that the inferred EOS depends sensitively on not only whether twin stars are present, but also the category of twin stars, indicating that the observation of twin stars would provide a strong constraint on the underlying EOS. In particular, for two coexisting hybrid stars having QM cores at different densities, the PDF for QM speed of sound squared $c_{\rm qm}^2$ has two peaks, one below and another above the conformal limit $c_{\rm qm}^2=1/3$ predicted by perturbative QCD. △ Less

Submitted 15 October, 2025; v1 submitted 16 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 21 pages with 10 figures. Phys. Rev. D in press

MSC Class: 85xx

Journal ref: Physical Review D 112, 103012 (2025)

Prospects for Time-Domain and Multi-Messenger Science with eXTP

Authors: Shu-Xu Yi, Wen Zhao, Ren-Xin Xu, Xue-Feng Wu, Giulia Stratta, Simone Dall'Osso, Yan-Jun Xu, Andrea Santangelo, Silvia Zane, Shuang-Nan Zhang, Hua Feng, Huan Yang, Junjie Mao, Junqiang Ge, Lijing Shao, Mi-Xiang Lan, He Gao, Lin Lin, Ning Jiang, Qingwen Wu, Tong Liu, Yun-Wei Yu, Xiang-Yu Wang, Jin Zhang, Dafne Guetta , et al. (53 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: In this new era of time-domain and multi-messenger astronomy, various new transients and new phenomena are constantly being discovered thanks to the rapid advances in observations, which provide the excellent opportunity to study the physics in the extreme environments. The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission (eXTP), planned to be launched in 2030, has several key advantages, including a… ▽ More In this new era of time-domain and multi-messenger astronomy, various new transients and new phenomena are constantly being discovered thanks to the rapid advances in observations, which provide the excellent opportunity to study the physics in the extreme environments. The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission (eXTP), planned to be launched in 2030, has several key advantages, including advanced polarimetry, high sensitivity & large effective area, and wide energy range coverage, which make it a groundbreaking project in high-energy astrophysics. In this article, we briefly introduce the potential time-domain and multi-messenger targets for eXTP, including gravitational-wave (GW) counterparts, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), magnetars and fast radio bursts (FRBs), tidal disruption events (TDEs), supernovae, high energy neutrinos and TeV active galactic nucleus (AGNs), and so on. We discuss the advantages of future eXTP observations for detecting these sources, their detection capabilities, the abilities to distinguish theoretical models, and their applications in gravity and cosmology. △ Less

Submitted 8 September, 2025; v1 submitted 9 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: accepted for publication in the SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy

The FAST Globular Cluster Pulsar Survey (GC FANS)

Authors: Yujie Lian, Zhichen Pan, Haiyan Zhang, Shuo Cao, P. C. C. Freire, Lei Qian, Ralph P. Eatough, Lijing Shao, Scott M. Ransom, Duncan R. Lorimer, Dejiang Yin, Yinfeng Dai, Kuo Liu, Lin Wang, Yujie Wang, Zhongli Zhang, Zhonghua Feng, Baoda Li, Minghui Li, Tong Liu, Yaowei Li, Bo Peng, Yu Pan, Yuxiao Wu, Liyun Zhang , et al. (2 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: By January 2025, 60 pulsars were discovered by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope globular cluster (GC) pulsar survey (GC FANS), with spin periods spanning 1.98 ms to 3960.72 ms. Of these, 55 are millisecond pulsars (MSPs; $P<30$ ms), while 34 are binaries with orbital periods spanning 0.12 days to 466.47 days. This paper describes GC FANS, a deep, thorough search for pulsar… ▽ More By January 2025, 60 pulsars were discovered by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope globular cluster (GC) pulsar survey (GC FANS), with spin periods spanning 1.98 ms to 3960.72 ms. Of these, 55 are millisecond pulsars (MSPs; $P<30$ ms), while 34 are binaries with orbital periods spanning 0.12 days to 466.47 days. This paper describes GC FANS, a deep, thorough search for pulsars in 41 GCs in the FAST sky ($-14^\circ < δ< 65^\circ$) and describes new discoveries in 14 of them. We present updated timing solutions for M92A, NGC 6712A, M71A, and M71E, all of which are ``spider'' pulsars with short orbital periods. We present new timing solutions for M71B, C, and D. With orbital periods of $\sim$466 and 378 days, M71B and M71C are the widest known GC binaries; these systems resemble the normal wide MSP-He WD systems in the Galactic disk. With a spin period of 101 ms, M71D is in an eccentric ($e\sim$0.63) orbit with an 11-day period and a massive companion; the system has a total mass of $2.63 \pm 0.08 \, M_{\odot}$. These features and its large characteristic age suggest it is a double neutron star system (DNS) formed via massive binary evolution early in the cluster's history, akin to Galactic disk DNSs--unlike other candidate GC DNSs, which typically form dynamically. A comparative analysis of GC pulsar populations within FAST's sky reveals that most clusters (10 of 14) resemble the Galactic disk MSP population, likely due to lower stellar densities. △ Less

Submitted 10 June, 2025; v1 submitted 9 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 28 pages, 12 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for publication in ApJS

All-sky search for individual Primordial Black Hole bursts with LHAASO

Authors: Zhen Cao, F. Aharonian, Y. X. Bai, Y. W. Bao, D. Bastieri, X. J. Bi, Y. J. Bi, W. Bian, A. V. Bukevich, C. M. Cai, W. Y. Cao, Zhe Cao, J. Chang, J. F. Chang, A. M. Chen, E. S. Chen, G. H. Chen, H. X. Chen, Liang Chen, Long Chen, M. J. Chen, M. L. Chen, Q. H. Chen, S. Chen, S. H. Chen , et al. (293 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Primordial Black Holes~(PBHs) are hypothetical black holes with a wide range of masses that formed in the early universe. As a result, they may play an important cosmological role and provide a unique probe of the early universe. A PBH with an initial mass of approximately $10^{15}$~g is expected to explode today in a final burst of Hawking radiation. In this work, we conduct an all-sky search for… ▽ More Primordial Black Holes~(PBHs) are hypothetical black holes with a wide range of masses that formed in the early universe. As a result, they may play an important cosmological role and provide a unique probe of the early universe. A PBH with an initial mass of approximately $10^{15}$~g is expected to explode today in a final burst of Hawking radiation. In this work, we conduct an all-sky search for individual PBH burst events using the data collected from March 2021 to July 2024 by the Water Cherenkov Detector Array of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Three PBH burst durations, 10~s, 20~s, and 100~s, are searched, with no significant PBH bursts observed. The upper limit on the local PBH burst rate density is set to be as low as 181~pc$^{-3}$~yr$^{-1}$ at 99$\%$ confidence level, representing the most stringent limit achieved to date. △ Less

Submitted 2 November, 2025; v1 submitted 30 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 8 pages, 2 figures

Parameter inference of microlensed gravitational waves using neural spline flows

Authors: Zheng Qin, Tian-Yang Sun, Bo-Yuan Li, Jing-Fei Zhang, Xiao Guo, Xin Zhang

Abstract: When gravitational waves (GWs) propagate near massive objects, they undergo gravitational lensing that imprints lens model dependent modulations on the waveform. This effect provides a powerful tool for cosmological and astrophysical studies. However, conventional Bayesian parameter inference methods for GWs are computationally expensive, especially for lensed events with additional lens parameter… ▽ More When gravitational waves (GWs) propagate near massive objects, they undergo gravitational lensing that imprints lens model dependent modulations on the waveform. This effect provides a powerful tool for cosmological and astrophysical studies. However, conventional Bayesian parameter inference methods for GWs are computationally expensive, especially for lensed events with additional lens parameters, necessitating more efficient approaches. In this work, we explore the use of neural spline flows (NSFs) for posterior inference of microlensed GWs, and successfully apply NSFs to the inference of 11-dimensional lens parameters. Our results demonstrate that compared with traditional methods like Bilby dynesty that rely on Bayesian inference, the NSF network we built not only achieves inference accuracy comparable to traditional methods for the main parameters, but also can reduce the inference time from approximately 3 days to 0.8 s on average. Additionally, the network exhibits strong generalization for the spin parameters of GW sources. It is anticipated to become a powerful tool for future low-latency searches for lensed GW signals. △ Less

Submitted 16 July, 2025; v1 submitted 27 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 11 pages, 6 figures

First Identification and Precise Spectral Measurement of the Proton Component in the Cosmic-Ray `Knee'

Authors: The LHAASO Collaboration, Zhen Cao, F. Aharonian, Y. X. Bai, Y. W. Bao, D. Bastieri, X. J. Bi, Y. J. Bi, W. Bian, A. V. Bukevich, C. M. Cai, W. Y. Cao, Zhe Cao, J. Chang, J. F. Chang, A. M. Chen, E. S. Chen, G. H. Chen, H. X. Chen, Liang Chen, Long Chen, M. J. Chen, M. L. Chen, Q. H. Chen, S. Chen , et al. (292 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We report the first high-purity identification of cosmic-ray (CR) protons and a precise measurement of their energy spectrum from 0.15 to 12 PeV using the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Abundant event statistics, combined with the simultaneous detection of electrons/photons, muons, and Cherenkov light in air showers, enable spectroscopic measurements with statistical and syst… ▽ More We report the first high-purity identification of cosmic-ray (CR) protons and a precise measurement of their energy spectrum from 0.15 to 12 PeV using the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Abundant event statistics, combined with the simultaneous detection of electrons/photons, muons, and Cherenkov light in air showers, enable spectroscopic measurements with statistical and systematic accuracy comparable to satellite data at lower energies. The proton spectrum shows significant hardening relative to low-energy extrapolations, culminating at 3 PeV, followed by sharp softening. This distinct spectral structure - closely aligned with the knee in the all-particle spectrum - points to the emergence of a new CR component at PeV energies, likely linked to the dozens of PeVatrons recently discovered by LHAASO, and offers crucial clues to the origin of Galactic cosmic rays. △ Less

Submitted 20 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

GECAM Discovery of Peculiar Oscillating Particle Precipitation Events

Authors: Chenwei Wang, Shaolin Xiong, Yi Zhao, Wei Xu, Gaopeng Lu, Xuzhi Zhou, Xiaocheng Guo, Wenya Li, Xiaochao Yang, Qinghe Zhang, Xinqiao Li, Zhenxia Zhang, Zhenghua An, Ce Cai, Peiyi Feng, Yue Huang, Min Gao, Ke Gong, Dongya Guo, Haoxuan Guo, Bing Li, Xiaobo Li, Yaqing Liu, Jiacong Liu, Xiaojing Liu , et al. (30 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Charged particle precipitation typically manifests as a gradual increase and decrease of flux observed by space detectors. Cases with rapidly flux variation are very rare. Periodic events are even more extraordinary. These oscillating particle precipitation (OPP) events are usually attributed to the bounce motion of electrons, which are induced by lightning. Owing to the observation limitations, t… ▽ More Charged particle precipitation typically manifests as a gradual increase and decrease of flux observed by space detectors. Cases with rapidly flux variation are very rare. Periodic events are even more extraordinary. These oscillating particle precipitation (OPP) events are usually attributed to the bounce motion of electrons, which are induced by lightning. Owing to the observation limitations, there has been debate regarding whether these oscillations originate from temporal flux evolution or spatial structure evolution. Here we report three peculiar charged particle precipitation events detected by GECAM during a geomagnetic storm on March 21, 2024, with two exhibiting significant periodicity. These events were observed around the same region during three consecutive orbits. Through comprehensive temporal and spectral analyses, we revealed that one of the OPP events exhibited a transition in spectral lag of mini-pulses, shifting from "softer-earlier" to "softer-later" while showing no significant time evolution in overall frequency characteristics. And there is no association found between these two OPP events and lightning activity. Several possible scenarios are discussed to explain these charged particles with a life time of more than 3.5 hours, but the nature of these three events remains an enigma. We suggest that these GECAM-detected OPP events may represent a new type of particle precipitation event or a peculiar Lightning-induced Electron Precipitations (LEPs). △ Less

Submitted 9 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Measurement of separate electron and positron spectra from 10 GeV to 20GeV with the geomagnetic field on DAMPE

Authors: DAMPE Collaboration, F. Alemanno, Q. An, P. Azzarello, F. C. T. Barbato, P. Bernardini, X. J. Bi, H. Boutin, I. Cagnoli, M. S. Cai, E. Casilli, E. Catanzani, J. Chang, D. Y. Chen, J. L. Chen, Z. F. Chen, Z. X. Chen, P. Coppin, M. Y. Cui, T. S. Cui, Y. X. Cui, I. DeMitri, F. dePalma, A. DiGiovanni, T. K. Dong , et al. (127 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The cosmic-ray (CR) electrons and positrons in space are of great significance for studying the origin and propagation of cosmic-rays. The satellite-borne experiment DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) has been used to measure the separate electron and positron spectra, as well as the positron fraction. In this work, the Earth's magnetic field is used to distinguish CR electrons and positrons, a… ▽ More The cosmic-ray (CR) electrons and positrons in space are of great significance for studying the origin and propagation of cosmic-rays. The satellite-borne experiment DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) has been used to measure the separate electron and positron spectra, as well as the positron fraction. In this work, the Earth's magnetic field is used to distinguish CR electrons and positrons, as the DAMPE detector does not carry an onboard magnet. The energy range for the measurements is from 10 to 20 GeV, being currently limited at high energy by the zenith pointing orientation of DAMPE. The results are consistent with previous measurements based on the magnetic spectrometer by AMS-02 and PAMELA, while the results of Fermi-LAT seem then to be systematically shifted to larger values. △ Less

Submitted 21 August, 2025; v1 submitted 9 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in Chinese Physics C

Searching for pulsars in Globular Clusters with the Fast Fold Algorithm and a new pulsar discovered in M13

Authors: Yaowei Li, Lin Wang, Lei Qian, Liyun Zhang, Yujie Chen, Dejiang Yin, Baoda Li, Yinfeng Dai, Ralph P. Eatough, Wenze Li, Dongyue Jiang, Xingnan Zhang, Minghui Li, Yujie Lian, Yuxiao Wu, Tong Liu, Kuo Liu, Zhichen Pan

Abstract: We employed the Fast Folding Algorithm (FFA) on L-Band Globular Cluster (GC) observations taken with Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) to search for new pulsars, especially those with a long rotational period. We conducted a search across 16 GCs that collectively host 93 known pulsars, as well as 14 GCs that do not contain any known pulsars. The majority of these known p… ▽ More We employed the Fast Folding Algorithm (FFA) on L-Band Globular Cluster (GC) observations taken with Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) to search for new pulsars, especially those with a long rotational period. We conducted a search across 16 GCs that collectively host 93 known pulsars, as well as 14 GCs that do not contain any known pulsars. The majority of these known pulsars were successfully re-detected in our survey. The few non-detections could be attributed to the high accelerations of these pulsars. Additionally, we have discovered a new binary millisecond pulsar, namely M13I (or PSR J1641+3627I) in GC M13 (or NGC 6205), and obtained its phase-coherent timing solution using observations spanning 6 years. M13I has a spin period of 6.37 ms, and an orbital period of 18.23 days. The eccentricity of the binary orbit is 0.064, with a companion mass range of approximately 0.45 to 1.37 M$_{\odot}$. The orbital properties of M13I are remarkably different from those of the other known pulsars in M13, indicating that this pulsar has undergone a different evolutionary path compared to the rest. △ Less

Submitted 8 May, 2025; v1 submitted 8 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Bayesian Inference of Core Properties of Hybrid Stars from Future High-Precision Measurements of Their Radii

Authors: Bao-An Li, Xavier Grundler, Wen-Jie Xie, Nai-Bo Zhang

Abstract: Future high-precision X-ray and gravitational wave observations of neutron stars (NSs) are expected to measure NS radii to better than $σ=0.1$ km accuracy, providing unprecedented opportunities to extract novel information about the nature and equation of state (EOS) of supradense matter in NS cores. Within a Bayesian framework using a meta-model for NS EOS encapsulating a first-order hadron-quark… ▽ More Future high-precision X-ray and gravitational wave observations of neutron stars (NSs) are expected to measure NS radii to better than $σ=0.1$ km accuracy, providing unprecedented opportunities to extract novel information about the nature and equation of state (EOS) of supradense matter in NS cores. Within a Bayesian framework using a meta-model for NS EOS encapsulating a first-order hadron-quark phase transition and satisfying all known constraints from both nuclear physics and astrophysics, we investigate how NS radius data with higher precision may better inform us about (1) the NS crust-core transition density $ρ_{cc}$, (2) the hadron-quark transition density $ρ_t$, quark matter fraction $F_{\rm{QM}}$ and its radius $R_{\rm{QM}}$, and (3) high-density NS EOS parameters. Using fiducial NS radius data with mocked precisions varying from $σ=1.0$ km to 0.1 km, we found (a) the most probable crust-core transition density $ρ_{cc}$ and its 68\% confidence boundaries are essentially unaffected by $σ$ especially for massive NSs; (b) our answers to the questions (2) and (3) listed above depend sensitively on the prior range of hadron-quark transition density $ρ_t$ assumed. Using its fiducial range of $(1.0-6.0)ρ_0$, the posterior PDF($ρ_t$) has a major peak around $(1.7-2.0)ρ_0$ that is sufficient but unnecessary in describing all existing NS radius data, and a minor peak around $(3.0-5.0)ρ_0$ consistent with the indication about $ρ_t$ of recent Beam Energy Scan Experiments at RHIC. Narrowing down the prior range of $ρ_t$ to $(3.0-6.0)ρ_0$, NS radius data with smaller $σ$ can constrain more stringently the posterior PDF($ρ_t$), $F_{\rm{QM}}$, $R_{\rm{QM}}$ and several high-density hadronic EOS parameters. △ Less

Submitted 30 April, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 18 pages with 12 figures

The FAST Discovery of a Millisecond Pulsar M15O (PSR J2129+1210O) Hidden in the Harmonics of M15A (PSR J2129+1210A)

Authors: Yinfeng Dai, Zhichen Pan, Lei Qian, Liyun Zhang, Dejiang Yin, Baoda Li, Yaowei Li, Yuxiao Wu, Yujie Lian

Abstract: We report the discovery of an isolated millisecond pulsar M15O (J2129+1210O) from the globular cluster M15 (NGC 7078) with a period of $\sim$11.06686 ms and a dispersion measure of $\sim$67.44 cm$^{-3}$ pc. Its spin period is so close to the 10th harmonic of the bright pulsar M15A ($\sim$11.06647 ms) that it was missed in previous pulsar search. We suggest adding the spectrum in the pulsar candida… ▽ More We report the discovery of an isolated millisecond pulsar M15O (J2129+1210O) from the globular cluster M15 (NGC 7078) with a period of $\sim$11.06686 ms and a dispersion measure of $\sim$67.44 cm$^{-3}$ pc. Its spin period is so close to the 10th harmonic of the bright pulsar M15A ($\sim$11.06647 ms) that it was missed in previous pulsar search. We suggest adding the spectrum in the pulsar candidate diagnostic plot to identify new signals near the harmonics. M15O has the first spin frequency derivative and the second spin frequency derivative,being 1.79191(5) $\times$ $10^{-14}$ Hz $s^{-1}$ and 3.3133(6)$\times$ $10^{-23}$ Hz $s^{-2}$, respectively. Its projected distance from the optical center of M15 is the closest among all the pulsars in M15. The origin can be something from the center of the massive and core-collapsed globular cluster M15. △ Less

Submitted 22 June, 2025; v1 submitted 23 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 4 figures

FAST Observation and Results for Core Collapse Globular Cluster M15 and NGC 6517

Authors: Yuxiao Wu, Dejiang Yin, Yu Pan, Liyun Zhang, Zhichen Pan, Lei Qian, Baoda Li, Yinfeng Dai, Yaowei Li, Xingnan Zhang, Minghui Li, Yifeng Li

Abstract: Radio astronomy is part of radio science that developed rapidly in recent decades. In the research of radio astronomy, pulsars have always been an enduring popular research target. To find and observe more pulsars, large radio telescopes have been built all over the world. In this paper, we present our studies on pulsars in M15 and NGC 6517 with FAST, including monitoring pulsars in M15 and new pu… ▽ More Radio astronomy is part of radio science that developed rapidly in recent decades. In the research of radio astronomy, pulsars have always been an enduring popular research target. To find and observe more pulsars, large radio telescopes have been built all over the world. In this paper, we present our studies on pulsars in M15 and NGC 6517 with FAST, including monitoring pulsars in M15 and new pulsar discoveries in NGC 6517. All the previously known pulsars in M15 were detected without no new discoveries. Among them, M15C was still detectable by FAST, while it is assumed to fade out due to precession [1]. In NGC 6517, new pulsars were continues to be discovered and all of them are tend to be isolated pulsars. Currently, the number of pulsars in NGC 6517 is 17, much more than the predicted before [2]. △ Less

Submitted 23 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 4 pages, 3 figures, previously published work in URSI GASS

Deriving the Energy Function of Non-repeaters from CHIME/FRB Baseband Data

Authors: Wenqi Ma, Zhifu Gao, Biaopeng Li, Jumei Yao, Fayin Wang

Abstract: Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are radio pulses that originate from cosmological distance. Over 800 FRB sources with thousands of bursts have been detected, yet their origins remain unknown. Analyse of the energy function and the redshift evolution of volumetric rate could provide crucial insights into FRB progenitors. In this paper, we present the energy functions of non-repeaters selected from the CHI… ▽ More Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are radio pulses that originate from cosmological distance. Over 800 FRB sources with thousands of bursts have been detected, yet their origins remain unknown. Analyse of the energy function and the redshift evolution of volumetric rate could provide crucial insights into FRB progenitors. In this paper, we present the energy functions of non-repeaters selected from the CHIME/FRB baseband data using the $V_\mathrm{max}$ method. The $V_\mathrm{max}$ method allows us to measure redshift evolution without prior assumptions. We observed Schechter-like shapes in the energy function at low redshift region, while high redshift regions show a relatively small slope ($γ\approx -2$). The redshift evolution of volumetric rates shows an ambiguous trend, indicating that the population of non-repeaters is still not well understood. In the future, more samples and accurate measurements are needed to clarify these trends. △ Less

Submitted 18 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 11 pages,5 figures,1 table.Submitted to ApJ

SageNet: Fast Neural Network Emulation of the Stiff-amplified Gravitational Waves from Inflation

Authors: Fan Zhang, Yifang Luo, Bohua Li, Ruihan Cao, Wenjin Peng, Joel Meyers, Paul R. Shapiro

Abstract: Accurate modeling of the inflationary gravitational waves (GWs) requires time-consuming, iterative numerical integrations of differential equations to take into account their backreaction on the expansion history. To improve computational efficiency while preserving accuracy, we present SageNet (Stiff-Amplified Gravitational-wave Emulator Network), a deep learning framework designed to replace con… ▽ More Accurate modeling of the inflationary gravitational waves (GWs) requires time-consuming, iterative numerical integrations of differential equations to take into account their backreaction on the expansion history. To improve computational efficiency while preserving accuracy, we present SageNet (Stiff-Amplified Gravitational-wave Emulator Network), a deep learning framework designed to replace conventional numerical solvers. SageNet employs a Long Short-Term Memory architecture to emulate the present-day energy density spectrum of the inflationary GWs with possible stiff amplification, $Ω_\mathrm{GW}(f)$. Trained on a data set of 25,689 numerically generated solutions, SageNet allows accurate reconstructions of $Ω_\mathrm{GW}(f)$ and generalizes well to a wide range of cosmological parameters; 89.3% of the test emulations with randomly distributed parameters exhibit errors of under 4%. In addition, SageNet demonstrates its ability to learn and reproduce the artificial, adaptive sampling patterns in numerical calculations, which implement denser sampling of frequencies around changes of spectral indices in $Ω_\mathrm{GW}(f)$. The dual capability of learning both physical and artificial features of the numerical GW spectra establishes SageNet as a robust alternative to exact numerical methods. Finally, our benchmark tests show that SageNet reduces the computation time from tens of seconds to milliseconds, achieving a speed-up of ~$10^4$ times over standard CPU-based numerical solvers with the potential for further acceleration on GPU hardware. These capabilities make SageNet a powerful tool for accelerating Bayesian inference procedures for extended cosmological models. In a broad sense, the SageNet framework offers a fast, accurate, and generalizable solution to modeling cosmological observables whose theoretical predictions demand costly differential equation solvers. △ Less

Submitted 5 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 19 pages, 16 figures, 2 tables, submitted, comments welcome. Code available at: https://github.com/YifangLuo/SageNet

The Poisson noise in modeling the redshift-space distortion at large scales

Authors: Hongxiang Chen, Jie Wang, Baojiu Li

Abstract: We investigate the errors in modeling the redshift-space distortion (RSD) effect at large linear scales, using data from the Millennium simulation. While standard theoretical templates, such as the Kaiser formula and the TNS method, could precisely model RSD for individual large-scale modes, we find that for tracers with number densities lower than $\sim10^{-3}({\rm Mpc}/h)^{-3}$, there is a few-p… ▽ More We investigate the errors in modeling the redshift-space distortion (RSD) effect at large linear scales, using data from the Millennium simulation. While standard theoretical templates, such as the Kaiser formula and the TNS method, could precisely model RSD for individual large-scale modes, we find that for tracers with number densities lower than $\sim10^{-3}({\rm Mpc}/h)^{-3}$, there is a few-percent level bias in the predicted power spectrum. This error arises due to the amplification of intrinsic Poisson noise during RSD modeling from real-space power spectrum. This amplified noise can be analytically expressed as $1 + ε/[{\bar{n}P}({1+ε})]$, with $ε=2β/3+β^2/5$, where $P$ denotes the real-space tracer power spectrum and $β\equiv f/b$. Specifically, for halos with a number density of around $5\times10^{-4}({\rm Mpc}/h)^{-3}$, this phenomenon results in an additional systematic error of 2.5\%. Our result suggests that caution is necessary when directly modeling redshift-space distortions (RSD) using real-space power spectra of tracers obtained from simulations or actual surveys. This caution is particularly pertinent in scenarios where emulators trained on simulation data forecast the real-space tracer power spectrum, as well as in baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) reconstruction using galaxy samples, for which we estimate that shot noise could introduce random errors of about one-third in the displacement field, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of the BAO peak sharpening. △ Less

Submitted 26 July, 2025; v1 submitted 4 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 15 pages, 4 figures, Submitted to JCAP

The CosmoVerse White Paper: Addressing observational tensions in cosmology with systematics and fundamental physics

Authors: Eleonora Di Valentino, Jackson Levi Said, Adam Riess, Agnieszka Pollo, Vivian Poulin, Adrià Gómez-Valent, Amanda Weltman, Antonella Palmese, Caroline D. Huang, Carsten van de Bruck, Chandra Shekhar Saraf, Cheng-Yu Kuo, Cora Uhlemann, Daniela Grandón, Dante Paz, Dominique Eckert, Elsa M. Teixeira, Emmanuel N. Saridakis, Eoin Ó Colgáin, Florian Beutler, Florian Niedermann, Francesco Bajardi, Gabriela Barenboim, Giulia Gubitosi, Ilaria Musella , et al. (516 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The standard model of cosmology has provided a good phenomenological description of a wide range of observations both at astrophysical and cosmological scales for several decades. This concordance model is constructed by a universal cosmological constant and supported by a matter sector described by the standard model of particle physics and a cold dark matter contribution, as well as very early-t… ▽ More The standard model of cosmology has provided a good phenomenological description of a wide range of observations both at astrophysical and cosmological scales for several decades. This concordance model is constructed by a universal cosmological constant and supported by a matter sector described by the standard model of particle physics and a cold dark matter contribution, as well as very early-time inflationary physics, and underpinned by gravitation through general relativity. There have always been open questions about the soundness of the foundations of the standard model. However, recent years have shown that there may also be questions from the observational sector with the emergence of differences between certain cosmological probes. In this White Paper, we identify the key objectives that need to be addressed over the coming decade together with the core science projects that aim to meet these challenges. These discordances primarily rest on the divergence in the measurement of core cosmological parameters with varying levels of statistical confidence. These possible statistical tensions may be partially accounted for by systematics in various measurements or cosmological probes but there is also a growing indication of potential new physics beyond the standard model. After reviewing the principal probes used in the measurement of cosmological parameters, as well as potential systematics, we discuss the most promising array of potential new physics that may be observable in upcoming surveys. We also discuss the growing set of novel data analysis approaches that go beyond traditional methods to test physical models. [Abridged] △ Less

Submitted 4 August, 2025; v1 submitted 2 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 416 pages, 81 figures

Journal ref: Phys. Dark Univ. 49 (2025) 101965

Multimodality in the Search for New Physics in Pulsar Timing Data and the Case of Kination-amplified Gravitational-wave Background from Inflation

Authors: Bohua Li, Joel Meyers, Paul R. Shapiro

Abstract: We investigate the kination-amplified inflationary gravitational-wave background (GWB) interpretation of the signal recently reported by various pulsar timing array (PTA) experiments. Kination is a post-inflationary phase in the expansion history dominated by the kinetic energy of some scalar field, characterized by a stiff equation of state $w=1$. Within the inflationary GWB model, we identify tw… ▽ More We investigate the kination-amplified inflationary gravitational-wave background (GWB) interpretation of the signal recently reported by various pulsar timing array (PTA) experiments. Kination is a post-inflationary phase in the expansion history dominated by the kinetic energy of some scalar field, characterized by a stiff equation of state $w=1$. Within the inflationary GWB model, we identify two modes which can fit the current data sets (NANOGrav and EPTA) with equal likelihood: the kination-amplification (KA) mode and the ordinary, non-kination-amplification (no-KA) mode. The multimodality of the likelihood motivates a Bayesian analysis with nested sampling. We analyze the free spectra of current PTA data and mock free spectra constructed with higher signal-to-noise ratios, using nested sampling. The analysis of the mock spectrum designed to be consistent with the best fit to the NANOGrav 15 yr (NG15) data successfully reveals the expected bimodal posterior for the first time while excluding the reheating mode that appears in the fit to the current NG15 data, making a case for our correct treatment of potential multimodal posteriors arising from future PTA data sets. The resultant Bayes factor is $B\equiv Z_\mathrm{no-KA}/Z_\mathrm{KA}=2.9\pm1.9$, indicating comparable statistical significance between the two modes. Given the theoretical model-building challenges of producing highly blue-tilted primordial tensor spectra, the KA mode has the advantage of requiring a less blue primordial spectrum, compared with the no-KA mode. The synergy between future cosmic microwave background polarization, pulsar timing and laser interferometer measurements of gravitational waves will help resolve the ambiguity implied by the multimodal posterior in PTA-only searches. △ Less

Submitted 27 May, 2025; v1 submitted 24 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 5 figures, 1 table, matched to the published version in ApJ

Journal ref: The Astrophysical Journal, 2025, Volume 985, Issue 1, id.117, 9 pp

GRB Timing: Decoding the Hidden Slow Jets in GRB 060729

Authors: Jin-Jun Geng, Ding-Fang Hu, Hao-Xuan Gao, Yi-Fang Liang, Yan-Long Hua, Guo-Rui Zhang, Tian-Rui Sun, Bing Li, Yuan-Qi Liu, Fan Xu, Chen Deng, Chen-Ran Hu, Ming Xu, Yong-Feng Huang, Miao-Miao Zhang, Min Fang, Jing-Zhi Yan, Tao An, Xue-Feng Wu

Abstract: Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are luminous stellar explosions characterized by the ejection of relativistic jets. This work proposes a novel paradigm to study these GRB jets. By analyzing the timing information of prompt pulses and X-ray flares, in conjunction with the multi-wavelength afterglow observations, we identify three distinct jets in the extraordinary GRB 060729, with initial bulk Lorentz fact… ▽ More Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are luminous stellar explosions characterized by the ejection of relativistic jets. This work proposes a novel paradigm to study these GRB jets. By analyzing the timing information of prompt pulses and X-ray flares, in conjunction with the multi-wavelength afterglow observations, we identify three distinct jets in the extraordinary GRB 060729, with initial bulk Lorentz factors ranging from approximately 20 to 80, smaller than typical values of $> 100$. These three jets undergo two successive collisions, producing the observed pair of X-ray flares. Following these interactions, the system evolves into a fast, narrow jet and a slower, hollow jet that continues to propagate in the circumburst medium, evidenced by the notable twin bumps observed in the X-ray and optical afterglow of GRB 060729. Our findings demonstrate that the timing of the early emission enables us to measure the velocities of the GRB jets. The proposed paradigm enhances our understanding of jet dynamics and shock interactions and serves as a powerful tool for probing the physics of the central engine with the expanded sample in the current golden era of GRB research. △ Less

Submitted 23 April, 2025; v1 submitted 22 March, 2025; originally announced March 2025.

Comments: 15 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, ApJL accepted

Report number: 2025, ApJL, 984, L65

Journal ref: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/add00e