Showing 1–50 of 65 results for author: Yuan, C

Constraining the Swift Memory Burden Effect with GW250114-like Events

Authors: Chen Yuan, Richard Brito

Abstract: Black hole spectroscopy allows to infer the properties of the remnant of a binary black hole coalescence. Motivated by the recent proposal that a black hole's information load can alter its classical response to small perturbations, an effect known as the swift memory burden, we develop a minimal phenomenological framework to analyze the ringdown of a binary black hole merger and confront it with… ▽ More Black hole spectroscopy allows to infer the properties of the remnant of a binary black hole coalescence. Motivated by the recent proposal that a black hole's information load can alter its classical response to small perturbations, an effect known as the swift memory burden, we develop a minimal phenomenological framework to analyze the ringdown of a binary black hole merger and confront it with the data from the GW250114 event. We perform a Bayesian analysis combining the frequencies of the (220) and (440) quasi-normal modes and obtain a lower bound $\log_{10}p \gtrsim 2$, where $p$ controls how the gaps reopen when the black hole's master mode occupation departs from the critical value. Moreover, using a Fisher information matrix (high signal-to-noise ratio) approximation, we forecast the lower bound $\log_{10}p \gtrsim 3$ for a GW250114-like event observed with Cosmic Explorer or Einstein Telescope. Our results disfavour rapid gap reopening, shedding light on how the swift memory burden effect can be probed with current and next-generation detectors. △ Less

Submitted 3 November, 2025; v1 submitted 22 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 8 pages, two figures

Accelerating SED Modeling of Astrophysical Objects Using Neural Networks

Authors: Federico Testagrossa, Georgios Vasilopoulos, Despina Karavola, Stamatios Ilias Stathopoulos, Maria Petropoulou, Chengchao Yuan, Walter Winter

Abstract: Interpreting the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of astrophysical objects with physically motivated models is computationally expensive. These models require solving coupled differential equations in high-dimensional parameter spaces, making traditional fitting techniques such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo or nested sampling prohibitive. A key example is modeling non-thermal emission from blaza… ▽ More Interpreting the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of astrophysical objects with physically motivated models is computationally expensive. These models require solving coupled differential equations in high-dimensional parameter spaces, making traditional fitting techniques such as Markov Chain Monte Carlo or nested sampling prohibitive. A key example is modeling non-thermal emission from blazar jets - relativistic outflows from supermassive black holes in Active Galactic Nuclei that are among the most powerful emitters in the Universe. To address this challenge, we employ machine learning to accelerate SED evaluations, enabling efficient Bayesian inference. We generate a large sample of lepto-hadronic blazar emission models and train a neural network (NN) to predict the photon spectrum with strongly reduced run time while preserving accuracy. As a proof of concept, we present an NN-based tool for blazar SED modeling, laying the groundwork for future extensions and for providing an open-access resource for the astrophysics community. △ Less

Submitted 30 September, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures. Proceedings of the "IAUS 397: Exploring the Universe with Artificial Intelligence (UniversAI)" conference

A generalized study of linear electromagnetic cascades in astrophysical sources

Authors: Damiano F. G. Fiorillo, Federico Testagrossa, Chengchao Yuan, Maria Petropoulou, Walter Winter

Abstract: High-energy gamma rays can trigger electromagnetic cascades via pair production on ambient photons, reprocessing their energy to lower frequencies. A classic example is the cascade from the gamma rays produced by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in extragalactic photon fields, whose universal spectral shape was first described by Berezinsky in the 1970s. Recently, internal cascades, developing within… ▽ More High-energy gamma rays can trigger electromagnetic cascades via pair production on ambient photons, reprocessing their energy to lower frequencies. A classic example is the cascade from the gamma rays produced by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays in extragalactic photon fields, whose universal spectral shape was first described by Berezinsky in the 1970s. Recently, internal cascades, developing within the gamma-ray sources themselves, have gained a prominent role, as the IceCube data suggest that most detected neutrinos originate in gamma-ray-opaque environments. We analyze under what conditions these internal cascades can approach a universal spectrum. Since the Berezinsky treatment breaks down if synchrotron losses dominate, we present a generalized theory incorporating synchrotron-dominated cascades. We show the emergence of universal cascade spectrum among various examples of high-energy sources containing non-thermal cosmic rays, and discuss the conditions for its appearance. △ Less

Submitted 20 November, 2025; v1 submitted 29 August, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 34 pages, 8 figures; version accepted for publication on JCAP, small clarifications added

Coupled Time-Dependent Proton Acceleration and Leptonic-Hadronic Radiation in Turbulent Supermassive Black Hole Coronae

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Damiano F. G. Fiorillo, Maria Petropoulou, Qinrui Liu

Abstract: Turbulent coronae of supermassive black holes can accelerate non-thermal particles to high energies and produce observable radiation, but capturing this process is challenging due to comparable timescales of acceleration, cooling, and the development of cascades. We present a time-dependent numerical framework that self-consistently couples proton acceleration -- modeled by the Fokker-Planck equat… ▽ More Turbulent coronae of supermassive black holes can accelerate non-thermal particles to high energies and produce observable radiation, but capturing this process is challenging due to comparable timescales of acceleration, cooling, and the development of cascades. We present a time-dependent numerical framework that self-consistently couples proton acceleration -- modeled by the Fokker-Planck equation -- with leptonic-hadronic radiation. For the neutrino-emitting Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068, we reproduce the neutrino spectrum observed by IceCube, while satisfying gamma-ray constraints. We also consider a transient corona scenario, potentially emerging in non-jetted tidal disruption events like AT 2019dsg, and show that early-stage cascade feedback can impact proton acceleration and radiation processes in weaker coronae, producing delayed optical/ultraviolet, X-ray, and neutrino emissions of $\mathcal O(100~\rm d)$. This flexible code efficiently models multi-messenger signals from both steady and transient astrophysical sources, providing insights in combining particle acceleration and radiation mechanisms. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 11 pages, 2+4 figures

Neutrino and Electromagnetic Signals from Tidal Disruption Events: Bridging the Theory with Observations

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Walter Winter, Cecilia Lunardini, B. Theodore Zhang, Kohta Murase, Bing Zhang

Abstract: This proceeding presents recent results from a joint analysis of time-dependent neutrino and electromagnetic emissions from tidal disruption events (TDEs), using both isotropic wind models and relativistic jets. We discuss constraints from Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) $γ$-ray upper limits on the size of the radiation zone and the maximum energies of accelerated cosmic rays, as well as the resu… ▽ More This proceeding presents recent results from a joint analysis of time-dependent neutrino and electromagnetic emissions from tidal disruption events (TDEs), using both isotropic wind models and relativistic jets. We discuss constraints from Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) $γ$-ray upper limits on the size of the radiation zone and the maximum energies of accelerated cosmic rays, as well as the resulting neutrino productions from TDEs and candidates, including AT 2019dsg, AT 2019fdr, AT 2019aalc, and AT 2021lwx. The Fermi upper limits correspond to a generic neutrino detection rate of $\lesssim0.01-0.1$ per TDE. Additionally, we explore multi-wavelength modeling of jetted TDEs with luminous X-ray afterglows, another TDE subclass, by incorporating the dynamics of structured jets with time-dependent energy injection. We also examine the connection between neutrinos and their multi-wavelength counterparts, highlighting implications for future multi-messenger discoveries with IceCube, IceCube-Gen2, KM3NeT, and Fermi-LAT. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: Presented at the 39th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2025), 8 pages, 4 figures

GW231123 Mass Gap Event and the Primordial Black Hole Scenario

Authors: Chen Yuan, Zu-Cheng Chen, Lang Liu

Abstract: We investigate the possibility that the recently reported GW231123 event, with component masses $M_1=137^{+22}_{-17}\,M_\odot$, $M_2=103^{+20}_{-52}\,M_\odot$ and a local merger rate $R_{\mathrm{local}}=0.08^{+0.19}_{-0.07}\,\mathrm{Gpc^{-3}\,yr^{-1}}$, originates from primordial black holes (PBHs) formed during an early matter-dominated era. We compute the PBH mass function, abundance, spin distr… ▽ More We investigate the possibility that the recently reported GW231123 event, with component masses $M_1=137^{+22}_{-17}\,M_\odot$, $M_2=103^{+20}_{-52}\,M_\odot$ and a local merger rate $R_{\mathrm{local}}=0.08^{+0.19}_{-0.07}\,\mathrm{Gpc^{-3}\,yr^{-1}}$, originates from primordial black holes (PBHs) formed during an early matter-dominated era. We compute the PBH mass function, abundance, spin distribution and the merger rate density and find a set of choices for the parameters to reproduce the key properties of GW231123. While PBHs formed in such a scenario can acquire large spins through sustained tidal torques, the spin distribution remains uncertain and additional accretion might lead to extreme spin values inferred in GW231123. We also show that the resulting PBH abundance, $f_{\mathrm{pbh}}=1.64^{+5.00}_{-1.59}\times10^{-1}$, lies close to the exclusion bounds from CMB accretion limits and other probes, highlighting a potential tension with current constraints. Finally, we estimate the scalar-induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) that are inevitably generated during PBH formation. PBHs that interpret GW231123 are accompanied by negligible SIGWs in the nano-hertz band, indicating no conflict with current pulsar timing arrays data. △ Less

Submitted 30 September, 2025; v1 submitted 21 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 9 pages, 1 figure; Accepted by PRD as a Letter

Whispers from the Early Universe: The Ringdown of Primordial Black Holes

Authors: Chen Yuan, Zhen Zhong, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: We investigate the stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) generated by the ringdown phase of primordial black holes (PBHs) formed in the early universe. As the ringdown signal is independent of the PBH formation mechanism, the resulting SGWB offers a model-independent probe of PBHs. We numerically compute the ringdown waveform and derive the corresponding SGWB. We show that such a signal… ▽ More We investigate the stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) generated by the ringdown phase of primordial black holes (PBHs) formed in the early universe. As the ringdown signal is independent of the PBH formation mechanism, the resulting SGWB offers a model-independent probe of PBHs. We numerically compute the ringdown waveform and derive the corresponding SGWB. We show that such a signal could be detected by future pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) for PBHs heavier than the solar mass. Additionally, we evaluate the SGWB from binary PBH mergers and demonstrate that it lies within the sensitivity bands of next-generation ground-based interferometers such as Cosmic Explorer and Einstein Telescope, suggesting a multi-band observational strategy for probing the PBH dark matter scenario. △ Less

Submitted 23 July, 2025; v1 submitted 10 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures

An Accretion Flare Interpretation for the UHE Neutrino Event KM3-230213A

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Leonard Pfeiffer, Walter Winter, Sara Buson, Federico Testagrossa, Jose Maria Sanchez Zaballa, Alessandra Azzollini

Abstract: We study the origin of the ultra-high-energy (UHE) astrophysical neutrino event KM3-230213A detected by KM3NeT, focusing on MRC 0614-083 which has been pinpointed as the closest blazar to the neutrino localization. A joint interpretation of the optical, infrared, and X-ray light curves suggests that MRC 0614-083 has undergone a super-Eddington accretion flare accompanied by efficient proton accele… ▽ More We study the origin of the ultra-high-energy (UHE) astrophysical neutrino event KM3-230213A detected by KM3NeT, focusing on MRC 0614-083 which has been pinpointed as the closest blazar to the neutrino localization. A joint interpretation of the optical, infrared, and X-ray light curves suggests that MRC 0614-083 has undergone a super-Eddington accretion flare accompanied by efficient proton acceleration. That flare has initiated a delayed infrared echo within the surrounding dust torus, which serves as a target for photomeson ($pγ$) interactions such that a self-consistent picture emerges: the predicted UHE neutrino flux is at the level expected from joint $E^{-2}$ fit with the IceCube measurements at lower energies, the variable nature of the event alleviates the tension with IceCube limits, and the accompanying electromagnetic cascade describes the X-ray flare around the neutrino detection time. Since a key remaining uncertainty is the unknown redshift of the source, we strongly encourage optical/ultraviolet spectroscopic measurements to determine its redshift. △ Less

Submitted 26 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 table

Gravitational Waves from Accretion Disks: Turbulence, Mode Excitation and Prospects for Future Detectors

Authors: Chen Yuan, Vitor Cardoso, Francisco Duque, Ziri Younsi

Abstract: We study gravitational-wave emission by turbulent flows in accretion disks around spinning black holes or neutron stars. We aim to understand how turbulence can stochastically excite black hole quasinormal ringing and contribute to a stochastic gravitational-wave background from accretion disks around compact objects. We employ general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations and feed them as… ▽ More We study gravitational-wave emission by turbulent flows in accretion disks around spinning black holes or neutron stars. We aim to understand how turbulence can stochastically excite black hole quasinormal ringing and contribute to a stochastic gravitational-wave background from accretion disks around compact objects. We employ general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations and feed them as the source of the Teukolsky master equation to evaluate the gravitational wave energy spectrum of a single source. The stochastic gravitational wave background from accretion disks generated by the population of stellar-mass compact objects is far below the sensitivity of third-generation ground-based detectors. In contrast, the supermassive black hole population, in particular those actively accreting, could lead to $Ω_{\mathrm{GW}}\sim 10^{-15}$ in the microHertz. This signal remains well below the sensitivities of pulsar-timing-arrays and LISA, making direct observation infeasible. △ Less

Submitted 11 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 4 figures

On the Gauge Invariance of Secondary Gravitational Waves

Authors: Chen Yuan, Yizhou Lu, Zu-Cheng Chen, Lang Liu

Abstract: Second-order tensor perturbations induced by primordial fluctuations play a crucial role in probing small-scale physics, but gauge dependence of their energy density has remained a fundamental challenge in cosmological perturbation theory. We address this issue by introducing a boundary condition-based filtering method that extracts physical radiation through the Sommerfeld criterion. We demonstra… ▽ More Second-order tensor perturbations induced by primordial fluctuations play a crucial role in probing small-scale physics, but gauge dependence of their energy density has remained a fundamental challenge in cosmological perturbation theory. We address this issue by introducing a boundary condition-based filtering method that extracts physical radiation through the Sommerfeld criterion. We demonstrate that after filtering non-physical modes, the energy density of secondary gravitational waves becomes gauge-invariant and exhibits physically consistent behavior in the sub-horizon limit. This approach provides a unified framework for both adiabatic and isocurvature perturbations, enhancing theoretical predictions and observational signatures of early universe physics. △ Less

Submitted 29 May, 2025; v1 submitted 23 January, 2025; originally announced January 2025.

Comments: v3, 15 pages, 2 figures, JCAP accepted

Journal ref: JCAP07(2025)016

Revisiting X-ray Afterglows of Jetted Tidal Disruption Events with the External Reverse Shock

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Walter Winter, B. Theodore Zhang, Kohta Murase, Bing Zhang

Abstract: We investigate the external reverse shock region of relativistic jets as the origin of X-ray afterglows of jetted tidal disruption events (TDEs) that exhibit luminous jets accompanied by fast-declining non-thermal X-ray emissions. We model the dynamics of jet propagating within an external density medium, accounting for continuous energy injection driven by accretion activities. We compute the tim… ▽ More We investigate the external reverse shock region of relativistic jets as the origin of X-ray afterglows of jetted tidal disruption events (TDEs) that exhibit luminous jets accompanied by fast-declining non-thermal X-ray emissions. We model the dynamics of jet propagating within an external density medium, accounting for continuous energy injection driven by accretion activities. We compute the time-dependent synchrotron and inverse Compton emissions from the reverse shock region. Our analysis demonstrates that the reverse shock scenario can potentially explain the X-ray light curves and spectra of four jetted TDEs, AT 2022cmc, Swift J1644, Swift J2058, and Swift J1112. Notably, the rapid steepening of the late-stage X-ray light curves can be attributed jointly to the jet break and cessation of the central engine as the accretion rate drops below the Eddington limit. Using parameters obtained from X-ray data fitting, we also discuss the prospects for $γ$-ray and neutrino detection. △ Less

Submitted 13 March, 2025; v1 submitted 12 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Comments: 11 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Journal ref: Astrophys.J. 982 (2025) 196

A neutrino flare potentially associated with X-ray emission from tidal disruption event ATLAS17jrp

Authors: Rong-Lan Li, Chengchao Yuan, Hao-Ning He, Yun Wang, Ben-Yang Zhu, Yun-Feng Liang, Ning Jiang, Da-Ming Wei

Abstract: Tidal disruption events (TDEs), in which stars are disrupted by supermassive black holes, have been proposed as potential sources of high-energy neutrinos through hadronic interactions. X-ray-bright TDEs provide dense photon fields conducive to neutrino production via proton-photon ($pγ$) processes. We conducted a time-dependent unbinned likelihood analysis of ten years (2008-2018) of IceCube muon… ▽ More Tidal disruption events (TDEs), in which stars are disrupted by supermassive black holes, have been proposed as potential sources of high-energy neutrinos through hadronic interactions. X-ray-bright TDEs provide dense photon fields conducive to neutrino production via proton-photon ($pγ$) processes. We conducted a time-dependent unbinned likelihood analysis of ten years (2008-2018) of IceCube muon-track data, focusing on ten TDEs with confirmed spatially and temporally coincident with the TDE ATLAS17jrp, occurring 19 days after the onset of its X-ray activity and lasting for 56 days, with a post-trial $p$-value of 0.01. This result is consistent with a scenario in which X-ray photons serve as target fields for hadronic interactions. Although constrained by the sample size of X-ray-detected TDEs, these results underscore the need for high-cadence X-ray monitoring and future neutrino observatories to further explore the connection between TDEs and high-energy neutrinos. △ Less

Submitted 28 July, 2025; v1 submitted 10 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Rays from Neutrino-Emitting Tidal Disruption Events

Authors: Pavlo Plotko, Walter Winter, Cecilia Lunardini, Chengchao Yuan

Abstract: We revisit the Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Ray (UHECRs) production in Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) in the light of recent neutrino-TDE associations. We use an isotropically emitting source-propagation model, which has been developed to describe the neutrino production in AT2019dsg, AT2019fdr, and AT2019aalc. These TDEs have strong dust echoes in the infrared range, which are potentially linked with… ▽ More We revisit the Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Ray (UHECRs) production in Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) in the light of recent neutrino-TDE associations. We use an isotropically emitting source-propagation model, which has been developed to describe the neutrino production in AT2019dsg, AT2019fdr, and AT2019aalc. These TDEs have strong dust echoes in the infrared range, which are potentially linked with the neutrino production. A mechanism where neutrinos originate from cosmic ray scattering on infrared photons implies cosmic rays in the ultra-high energy range, thus suggesting a natural connection with the observed UHECR. We extrapolate the three TDE associations to a population of neutrino- and UHECR-emitting TDEs, and postulate that these TDEs power the UHECRs. We then infer the source composition, population parameters, and local rates that are needed to describe UHECR data. We find that UHECR data point towards a mix of light to mid-heavy injection isotopes, which could be found, e.g., in oxygen-neon-magnesium white dwarfs, and to a contribution of at least two groups of TDEs with different characteristics, dominated by AT2019aalc-type events. The required local TDE rates of ${\mathcal O}(10^2)~\mathrm{Gpc^{-3} \, yr^{-1}}$, however, are more indicative of the disruption of main sequence stars. We propose an enhanced efficiency in the acceleration of heavier nuclei that could address this discrepancy. The predicted diffuse neutrino fluxes suggest a population of astrophysical neutrino sources that can be observed by future radio neutrino detection experiments. The derived source parameters are consistent with those expected from the individual neutrino observations. △ Less

Submitted 14 July, 2025; v1 submitted 24 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: Accepted for publication in ApJ; 28 pages, 12 figures

Gauge Dependence of Gravitational Waves Induced by Primordial Isocurvature Fluctuations

Authors: Chen Yuan, Zu-Cheng Chen, Lang Liu

Abstract: Primordial isocurvature perturbations, which can arise from various sources in the early Universe, have the potential to leave observable imprints on the gravitational-wave background and provide insights into the nature of primordial fluctuations. In this study, we investigate the gauge dependence of induced gravitational waves (IGWs) sourced by these isocurvature perturbations during radiation d… ▽ More Primordial isocurvature perturbations, which can arise from various sources in the early Universe, have the potential to leave observable imprints on the gravitational-wave background and provide insights into the nature of primordial fluctuations. In this study, we investigate the gauge dependence of induced gravitational waves (IGWs) sourced by these isocurvature perturbations during radiation dominated era and the kination period in the early universe. We analyze the energy density spectra of IGWs in three different gauges: synchronous, Newtonian, and uniform curvature gauges. To facilitate this analysis, we derive analytical solutions for the perturbations that contribute to the IGW spectra and a general gauge transformation from Newtonian gauge to an arbitrary gauge. Our results reveal significant differences in the energy spectra across these gauges. We find that the energy density of IGWs during radiation domination increases with conformal time as $η^8$ and $η^4$ for synchronous and uniform curvature gauges, respectively, while it converges in the Newtonian gauge. These findings highlight the importance of gauge choice in calculating IGWs and have implications for the interpretation of future observations of the gravitational-wave background. △ Less

Submitted 7 May, 2025; v1 submitted 16 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: 14 pages, 3 figures, PRD accepted;

Constraints on the Primordial Black Hole Abundance through Scalar-Induced Gravitational Waves from Advanced LIGO and Virgo's First Three Observing Runs

Authors: Yang Jiang, Chen Yuan, Chong-Zhi Li, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: As a promising dark matter candidate, primordial black holes (PBHs) lighter than $\sim10^{-18}M_{\odot}$ are supposed to have evaporated by today through Hawking radiation. This scenario is challenged by the memory burden effect, which suggests that the evaporation of black holes may slow down significantly after they have emitted about half of their initial mass. We explore the astrophysical impl… ▽ More As a promising dark matter candidate, primordial black holes (PBHs) lighter than $\sim10^{-18}M_{\odot}$ are supposed to have evaporated by today through Hawking radiation. This scenario is challenged by the memory burden effect, which suggests that the evaporation of black holes may slow down significantly after they have emitted about half of their initial mass. We explore the astrophysical implications of the memory burden effect on the PBH abundance by today and the possibility for PBHs lighter than $\sim10^{-18}M_{\odot}$ to persist as dark matter. Our analysis utilizes current LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data to constrain the primordial power spectrum and infer the PBH abundance. We find a null detection of scalar-induced gravitational waves that accompanied the formation of the PBHs. Then we find that PBHs are ruled out within the mass range $\sim[10^{-24},10^{-19}]M_{\odot}$. Furthermore, we expect that next-generation gravitational wave detectors, such as the Einstein Telescope and the Cosmic Explorer, will provide even more stringent constraints. Our results indicate that future detectors can reach sensitivities that could rule out PBH as dark matter within $\sim[10^{-29}M_{\odot},10^{-16}M_{\odot}]$ in the null detection of scalar-induced gravitational waves. △ Less

Submitted 25 November, 2024; v1 submitted 12 September, 2024; originally announced September 2024.

Comments: 10 pages, 4 figures, submitted to JCAP

Gravitational Waves Induced by Scalar Perturbations with a Broken Power-law Peak

Authors: Chong-Zhi Li, Chen Yuan, Qing-guo Huang

Abstract: We give an analytical approximation for the energy spectrum of the scalar-induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) generated by a broken power-law power spectrum, and find that both the asymptotic power-law tails and the intermediate peak contribute distinct features to the SIGW spectrum. Moreover, the broken power-law power spectrum has abundant near-peak features and our results can be used as a near… ▽ More We give an analytical approximation for the energy spectrum of the scalar-induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) generated by a broken power-law power spectrum, and find that both the asymptotic power-law tails and the intermediate peak contribute distinct features to the SIGW spectrum. Moreover, the broken power-law power spectrum has abundant near-peak features and our results can be used as a near-peak approximation that covers a wide range of models. Our analytical approximation is useful in the rapid generation of the SIGW energy spectrum, which is beneficial for gravitational wave data analysis. △ Less

Submitted 28 April, 2025; v1 submitted 17 July, 2024; originally announced July 2024.

Comments: 25 pages, 6 figures, final version (JCAP)

Structured Jet Model for Multiwavelength Observations of the Jetted Tidal Disruption Event AT 2022cmc

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, B. Theodore Zhang, Walter Winter, Kohta Murase

Abstract: AT 2022cmc is a recently documented tidal disruption event (TDE) that exhibits a luminous jet, accompanied by fast-declining X-ray and long-lasting radio/millimeter emission. Motivated by the distinct spectral and temporal signatures between X-ray and radio observations, we propose a multizone model involving relativistic jets with different Lorentz factors. We systematically study the evolution o… ▽ More AT 2022cmc is a recently documented tidal disruption event (TDE) that exhibits a luminous jet, accompanied by fast-declining X-ray and long-lasting radio/millimeter emission. Motivated by the distinct spectral and temporal signatures between X-ray and radio observations, we propose a multizone model involving relativistic jets with different Lorentz factors. We systematically study the evolution of the faster and slower jets in an external density profile, considering the continuous energy injection rate associated with the time-dependent accretion rates before and after the mass fallback time. We investigate time-dependent multiwavelength emission from both the forward shock and reverse shock regions of the fast and slow jets, in a self-consistent manner. Our analysis demonstrates that the energy injection rate can significantly impact the jet evolution and subsequently influence the lightcurves. We find that the X-ray spectra and lightcurves can be described by the electron synchrotron emission from the reverse shock of the faster jet, in which the late-time X-ray upper limits, extending to 400 days after the disruption, could be interpreted as the jet break steepening. Meanwhile, the radio observations can be interpreted as a result of synchrotron emissions from the forward shock region of the slower jet. We also discuss prospects for testing the model with current and future observations. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2024; v1 submitted 17 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Comments: 17 pages, 5 figures and 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Journal ref: Astrophys.J. 974 (2024) 162

GW230529_181500: A Potential Primordial Binary Black Hole Merger in the Mass Gap

Authors: Qing-Guo Huang, Chen Yuan, Zu-Cheng Chen, Lang Liu

Abstract: During the fourth observing run of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detector network, the LIGO Livingston observatory detected a coalescing compact binary, GW230529_181500, with component masses of $2.5-4.5\, M_\odot$ and $1.2-2.0\, M_\odot$ at the $90\%$ credible level. The gravitational-wave data alone is insufficient to determine whether the components are neutron stars or black holes. In this paper, we pr… ▽ More During the fourth observing run of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detector network, the LIGO Livingston observatory detected a coalescing compact binary, GW230529_181500, with component masses of $2.5-4.5\, M_\odot$ and $1.2-2.0\, M_\odot$ at the $90\%$ credible level. The gravitational-wave data alone is insufficient to determine whether the components are neutron stars or black holes. In this paper, we propose that GW230529_181500 originated from the merger of two primordial black holes (PBHs). We estimate a merger rate of $5.0^{+47.0}_{-4.9} \mathrm{Gpc}^{-3}\,\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ for compact binary coalescences with properties similar to GW230529_181500. Assuming the source is a PBH-PBH merger, GW230529-like events lead to approximately $1.7^{+36.2}_{-1.5} \times 10^{-3}$ of the dark matter in the form of PBHs. The required abundance of PBHs to explain this event is consistent with existing upper limits derived from microlensing, cosmic microwave background observations and the null detection of gravitational wave background by LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA. △ Less

Submitted 1 August, 2024; v1 submitted 8 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: 15 pages, 3 figures; Accepted by JCAP

Journal ref: JCAP 08 (2024) 030

Primordial Black Hole Interpretation in Subsolar Mass Gravitational Wave Candidate SSM200308

Authors: Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: In the recent second part of the third observation run by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration, a candidate with sub-solar mass components was reported, which we labelled as SSM200308. This study investigates the premise that primordial black holes (PBHs), arising from Gaussian perturbation collapses, could explain SSM200308. Through Bayesian analysis, we obtain the primordial curvature power spectr… ▽ More In the recent second part of the third observation run by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration, a candidate with sub-solar mass components was reported, which we labelled as SSM200308. This study investigates the premise that primordial black holes (PBHs), arising from Gaussian perturbation collapses, could explain SSM200308. Through Bayesian analysis, we obtain the primordial curvature power spectrum that leads to the merger rate of PBHs aligning with observational data as long as they constitute {$f_{\mathrm{PBH}}=5.66^{+58.68}_{-5.44}\times 10^{-2}$ } of the dark matter. However, while the gravitational wave (GW) background from binary PBH mergers is within current observational limits, the scalar-induced GWs associated with PBH formation exceed the constraints imposed by pulsar timing arrays, challenging the Gaussian perturbation collapse PBH model as the source of SSM200308. △ Less

Submitted 19 September, 2024; v1 submitted 4 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: 9 pages, 3 figures; version accepted for publication in JCAP; typos corrected

Lepto-Hadronic Scenarios for TeV Extensions of Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow Spectra

Authors: Marc Klinger, Chengchao Yuan, Andrew M. Taylor, Walter Winter

Abstract: Recent multi-wavelength observations of gamma-ray burst afterglows observed in the TeV energy range challenge the simplest Synchrotron Self-Compton (SSC) interpretation of this emission and are consistent with a single power-law component spanning over eight orders of magnitude in energy. To interpret this generic behaviour in the single-zone approximation without adding further free parameters, w… ▽ More Recent multi-wavelength observations of gamma-ray burst afterglows observed in the TeV energy range challenge the simplest Synchrotron Self-Compton (SSC) interpretation of this emission and are consistent with a single power-law component spanning over eight orders of magnitude in energy. To interpret this generic behaviour in the single-zone approximation without adding further free parameters, we perform an exhaustive parameter space study using the public, time-dependent, multi-messenger transport software AM3. This description accounts for the radiation from non-thermal protons and the lepto-hadronic cascade induced by pp- and pγ-interactions. We summarise the main scenarios which we have found (SSC, Extended-syn, Proton-syn, pp-cascade, and pγ-cascade), and discuss their advantages and limitations. We find that possible high-density environments, as may be typical for surrounding molecular cloud material, offer an alternative explanation for producing flat hard (source) spectra up to and beyond energies of 10 TeV. △ Less

Submitted 9 December, 2024; v1 submitted 20 March, 2024; originally announced March 2024.

AT2021lwx: Another Neutrino-Coincident Tidal Disruption Event with a Strong Dust Echo?

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Walter Winter, Cecilia Lunardini

Abstract: We discuss the possible association of an astrophysical neutrino (IC220405B) with the recently reported, extremely energetic tidal disruption event (TDE) candidate AT2021lwx (ZTF20abrbeie, aka ``Scary Barbie'') at redshift $z=0.995$. Although the TDE is about $2.6^\circ$ off the direction of the reconstructed neutrino event (outside the 90% confidence level localization region), the TDE candidate… ▽ More We discuss the possible association of an astrophysical neutrino (IC220405B) with the recently reported, extremely energetic tidal disruption event (TDE) candidate AT2021lwx (ZTF20abrbeie, aka ``Scary Barbie'') at redshift $z=0.995$. Although the TDE is about $2.6^\circ$ off the direction of the reconstructed neutrino event (outside the 90% confidence level localization region), the TDE candidate shares some important characteristics with so far reported neutrino-TDE associations: a strong infrared dust echo, high bolometric luminosity, a neutrino time delay with respect to the peak mass accretion rate of the order of hundred days, and a high observed X-ray luminosity. We interpret this new association using an isotropic emission model, where neutrinos are produced by the collision of accelerated protons with infrared photons. After accounting for the high redshift of AT2021lwx (by interpreting the data in the SMBH frame), we find that the expected neutrino fluences and neutrino time delays are qualitatively comparable to the other TDEs. Since data are only available up to 300 days post-peak in the SMBH frame, significant uncertainties exist in the dust echo interpretation, and therefore in the predicted number of neutrinos detected, $\mathcal N_ν\simeq3.0\times10^{-3}-0.012$. We recommend further follow-up on this object for an extended period and suggest refining the reconstruction of the neutrino arrival direction in this particular case. △ Less

Submitted 24 May, 2024; v1 submitted 17 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 10 pages, 5 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Journal ref: ApJ 969 136 (2024)

AM$^3$: An Open-Source Tool for Time-Dependent Lepto-Hadronic Modeling of Astrophysical Sources

Authors: Marc Klinger, Annika Rudolph, Xavier Rodrigues, Chengchao Yuan, Gaëtan Fichet de Clairfontaine, Anatoli Fedynitch, Walter Winter, Martin Pohl, Shan Gao

Abstract: We present the AM$^3$ ("Astrophysical Multi-Messenger Modeling") software. AM$^3$ is a documented open source software that efficiently solves the coupled integro-differential equations describing the temporal evolution of the spectral densities of particles interacting in astrophysical environments, in-cluding photons, electrons, positrons, protons, neutrons, pions, muons, and neutrinos. The soft… ▽ More We present the AM$^3$ ("Astrophysical Multi-Messenger Modeling") software. AM$^3$ is a documented open source software that efficiently solves the coupled integro-differential equations describing the temporal evolution of the spectral densities of particles interacting in astrophysical environments, in-cluding photons, electrons, positrons, protons, neutrons, pions, muons, and neutrinos. The software has been extensively used to simulate the multi-wavelength and neutrino emission from active galactic nuclei (including blazars), gamma-ray bursts, and tidal disruption events. The simulations include all relevant non-thermal processes, namely synchrotron emission, inverse Compton scattering, photon-photon annihilation, proton-proton and proton-photon pion production, and photo-pair production. The software self-consistently calculates the full cascade of primary and secondary particles, including non-linear feedback processes and predictions in the time domain. It also allows to track separately the particle densities produced by means of each distinct interaction processes, including the different hadronic channels. With its efficient hybrid solver combining analytical and numerical techniques, AM$^3$ combines efficiency and accuracy at a user-adjustable level. We describe the technical details of the numerical framework and present three examples of applications to different astrophysical environments. △ Less

Submitted 6 November, 2024; v1 submitted 20 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: The BSD-licensed source code can be found under https://gitlab.desy.de/am3/am3, for the user guide and documentation see https://am3.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

Journal ref: Astrophys.J.Supp. 275 (2024) 1, 4

Detection of magnetospheric ion drift patterns at Mars

Authors: Chi Zhang, Hans Nilsson, Yusuke Ebihara, Masatoshi Yamauchi, Moa Persson, Zhaojin Rong, Jun Zhong, Chuanfei Dong, Yuxi Chen, Xuzhi Zhou, Yixin Sun, Yuki Harada, Jasper Halekas, Shaosui Xu, Yoshifumi Futaana, Zhen Shi, Chongjing Yuan, Xiaotong Yun, Song Fu, Jiawei Gao, Mats Holmström, Yong Wei, Stas Barabash

Abstract: Mars lacks a global magnetic field, and instead possesses small-scale crustal magnetic fields, making its magnetic environment fundamentally different from intrinsic magnetospheres like those of Earth or Saturn. Here we report the discovery of magnetospheric ion drift patterns, typical of intrinsic magnetospheres, at Mars usingmeasurements fromMarsAtmosphere and Volatile EvolutioNmission. Specific… ▽ More Mars lacks a global magnetic field, and instead possesses small-scale crustal magnetic fields, making its magnetic environment fundamentally different from intrinsic magnetospheres like those of Earth or Saturn. Here we report the discovery of magnetospheric ion drift patterns, typical of intrinsic magnetospheres, at Mars usingmeasurements fromMarsAtmosphere and Volatile EvolutioNmission. Specifically, we observewedge-like dispersion structures of hydrogen ions exhibiting butterfly-shaped distributions within the Martian crustal fields, a feature previously observed only in planetary-scale intrinsic magnetospheres. These dispersed structures are the results of driftmotions that fundamentally resemble those observed in intrinsic magnetospheres. Our findings indicate that the Martian magnetosphere embodies an intermediate case where both the unmagnetized and magnetized ion behaviors could be observed because of the wide range of strengths and spatial scales of the crustal magnetic fields around Mars. △ Less

Submitted 10 November, 2023; originally announced November 2023.

Comments: 10 pages, 6 figures

Real-time Monitoring for the Next Core-Collapse Supernova in JUNO

Authors: Angel Abusleme, Thomas Adam, Shakeel Ahmad, Rizwan Ahmed, Sebastiano Aiello, Muhammad Akram, Abid Aleem, Fengpeng An, Qi An, Giuseppe Andronico, Nikolay Anfimov, Vito Antonelli, Tatiana Antoshkina, Burin Asavapibhop, João Pedro Athayde Marcondes de André, Didier Auguste, Weidong Bai, Nikita Balashov, Wander Baldini, Andrea Barresi, Davide Basilico, Eric Baussan, Marco Bellato, Marco Beretta, Antonio Bergnoli , et al. (606 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The core-collapse supernova (CCSN) is considered one of the most energetic astrophysical events in the universe. The early and prompt detection of neutrinos before (pre-SN) and during the supernova (SN) burst presents a unique opportunity for multi-messenger observations of CCSN events. In this study, we describe the monitoring concept and present the sensitivity of the system to pre-SN and SN neu… ▽ More The core-collapse supernova (CCSN) is considered one of the most energetic astrophysical events in the universe. The early and prompt detection of neutrinos before (pre-SN) and during the supernova (SN) burst presents a unique opportunity for multi-messenger observations of CCSN events. In this study, we describe the monitoring concept and present the sensitivity of the system to pre-SN and SN neutrinos at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a 20 kton liquid scintillator detector currently under construction in South China. The real-time monitoring system is designed to ensure both prompt alert speed and comprehensive coverage of progenitor stars. It incorporates prompt monitors on the electronic board as well as online monitors at the data acquisition stage. Assuming a false alert rate of 1 per year, this monitoring system exhibits sensitivity to pre-SN neutrinos up to a distance of approximately 1.6 (0.9) kiloparsecs and SN neutrinos up to about 370 (360) kiloparsecs for a progenitor mass of 30 solar masses, considering both normal and inverted mass ordering scenarios. The pointing ability of the CCSN is evaluated by analyzing the accumulated event anisotropy of inverse beta decay interactions from pre-SN or SN neutrinos. This, along with the early alert, can play a crucial role in facilitating follow-up multi-messenger observations of the next galactic or nearby extragalactic CCSN. △ Less

Submitted 4 December, 2023; v1 submitted 13 September, 2023; originally announced September 2023.

Comments: 24 pages, 9 figures, accepted for the publication at JCAP

Full analysis of the scalar-induced gravitational waves for the curvature perturbation with local-type non-Gaussianities

Authors: Chen Yuan, De-Shuang Meng, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: Primordial black holes (PBHs) are supposed to form through the gravitational collapse of regions with large density fluctuations. The formation of PBHs inevitably leads to the emission of scalar-induced gravitational wave (SIGW) signals, offering a unique opportunity to test the hypothesis of PBHs as a constituent of dark matter (DM). Previous studies have calculated the energy spectrum of SIGWs i… ▽ More Primordial black holes (PBHs) are supposed to form through the gravitational collapse of regions with large density fluctuations. The formation of PBHs inevitably leads to the emission of scalar-induced gravitational wave (SIGW) signals, offering a unique opportunity to test the hypothesis of PBHs as a constituent of dark matter (DM). Previous studies have calculated the energy spectrum of SIGWs in local-type non-Gaussian models, primarily considering the contributions from the $F_{\mathrm{NL}}$-order or the $G_{\mathrm{NL}}$-order while neglecting connected diagrams. In this study, we extend the previous work by (i) considering the full contribution of non-Gaussian diagrams up to the $G_{\mathrm{NL}}$-order; (ii) deriving the generic scaling of the SIGW energy spectrum in the infrared region. We derive semi-analytical results applicable to arbitrary primordial power spectra and numerically evaluate the energy spectrum of SIGWs for a log-normal power spectrum. △ Less

Submitted 17 February, 2024; v1 submitted 14 August, 2023; originally announced August 2023.

Comments: 21 pages, 2 figures; version accepted for publication in JCAP

Electromagnetic Cascade Emission from Neutrino-Coincident Tidal Disruption Events

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Walter Winter

Abstract: The potential association between Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) and high-energy astrophysical neutrinos implies the acceleration of cosmic rays. These accelerated particles will initiate electromagnetic (EM) cascades spanning from keV to GeV energies by the processes related to neutrino production. We model the EM cascade and neutrino emissions by numerically solving the time-dependent transport… ▽ More The potential association between Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) and high-energy astrophysical neutrinos implies the acceleration of cosmic rays. These accelerated particles will initiate electromagnetic (EM) cascades spanning from keV to GeV energies by the processes related to neutrino production. We model the EM cascade and neutrino emissions by numerically solving the time-dependent transport equations and discuss the implications for AT2019dsg and AT2019fdr in the X-ray and $γ$-ray bands. We show that the $γ$-ray constraints from \emph{Fermi} can constrain the size of the radiation zone and the maximum energy of injected protons, and that the corresponding expected neutrino event numbers in follow-up searches are limited to be less than about 0.1. Depending on the efficiency of $pγ$ interactions, the X-ray and $γ$-ray signals can be expected closer to the peak of the optical-ultraviolet (OUV) luminosity, or to the time of the neutrino production. △ Less

Submitted 1 September, 2023; v1 submitted 27 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: 18 pages, 7 figures, 1 table. Revised version. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Journal ref: ApJ 956 30 (2023)

JUNO sensitivity to the annihilation of MeV dark matter in the galactic halo

Authors: JUNO Collaboration, Angel Abusleme, Thomas Adam, Shakeel Ahmad, Rizwan Ahmed, Sebastiano Aiello, Muhammad Akram, Abid Aleem, Tsagkarakis Alexandros, Fengpeng An, Qi An, Giuseppe Andronico, Nikolay Anfimov, Vito Antonelli, Tatiana Antoshkina, Burin Asavapibhop, João Pedro Athayde Marcondes de André, Didier Auguste, Weidong Bai, Nikita Balashov, Wander Baldini, Andrea Barresi, Davide Basilico, Eric Baussan, Marco Bellato , et al. (581 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We discuss JUNO sensitivity to the annihilation of MeV dark matter in the galactic halo via detecting inverse beta decay reactions of electron anti-neutrinos resulting from the annihilation. We study possible backgrounds to the signature, including the reactor neutrinos, diffuse supernova neutrino background, charged- and neutral-current interactions of atmospheric neutrinos, backgrounds from muon… ▽ More We discuss JUNO sensitivity to the annihilation of MeV dark matter in the galactic halo via detecting inverse beta decay reactions of electron anti-neutrinos resulting from the annihilation. We study possible backgrounds to the signature, including the reactor neutrinos, diffuse supernova neutrino background, charged- and neutral-current interactions of atmospheric neutrinos, backgrounds from muon-induced fast neutrons and cosmogenic isotopes. A fiducial volume cut, as well as the pulse shape discrimination and the muon veto are applied to suppress the above backgrounds. It is shown that JUNO sensitivity to the thermally averaged dark matter annihilation rate in 10 years of exposure would be significantly better than the present-day best limit set by Super-Kamiokande and would be comparable to that expected by Hyper-Kamiokande. △ Less

Submitted 13 September, 2023; v1 submitted 15 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: 25 pages, 9 figures, matches the publised version

Journal ref: JCAP 09 (2023) 001

On the Interaction between Ultralight Bosons and Quantum-Corrected Black Holes

Authors: Rong-Zhen Guo, Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: Both ultralight dark matter and exploring the quantum nature of black holes are all topics of great interest in gravitational wave astronomy at present. The superradiant instability allows an exotic compact object (ECO) to be surrounded by an ultralight boson cloud, which leads to the emission of gravitational waves and further triggers rich dynamical effects. In this paper, we study the gravitati… ▽ More Both ultralight dark matter and exploring the quantum nature of black holes are all topics of great interest in gravitational wave astronomy at present. The superradiant instability allows an exotic compact object (ECO) to be surrounded by an ultralight boson cloud, which leads to the emission of gravitational waves and further triggers rich dynamical effects. In this paper, we study the gravitational effects of superradiant instabilities by calculating the energy fluxes of gravitational waves emitted from ultralight scalar dark matter fields by solving the Teukolsky equation in the background of a massive ECO phenomenologically described by a Kerr geometry with a reflective boundary condition at its physical boundary. We find that both the amplitude and phase of the reflectivity will either suppress or enhance the energy flux of GWs by several orders of magnitude if $Mμ\gtrsim 0.5$ where $M$ and $μ$ are the mass of ECO and boson, respectively. However, the modifications to energy flux are negligible if $M μ\lesssim 0.5$. Our results suggest that reflectivity will play a significant role in the near-horizon physics of ECO. △ Less

Submitted 17 January, 2023; originally announced January 2023.

Comments: 20 pages, 6 figures

Primordial black holes generated by the non-minimal spectator field

Authors: De-Shuang Meng, Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a model in which a spectator field non-minimally couples to an inflaton field and the power spectrum of the perturbation of the spectator field at small scales is dramatically enhanced by the sharp feature in the form of non-minimal coupling. At or after the end of inflation, the perturbation of the spectator field is converted into curvature perturbation and leads to the… ▽ More In this paper, we propose a model in which a spectator field non-minimally couples to an inflaton field and the power spectrum of the perturbation of the spectator field at small scales is dramatically enhanced by the sharp feature in the form of non-minimal coupling. At or after the end of inflation, the perturbation of the spectator field is converted into curvature perturbation and leads to the formation of primordial black holes (PBHs). Furthermore, for example, we consider three phenomenological models for generating PBHs with mass function peaked at $\sim10^{-12}M_\odot$ and representing all the cold dark matter in our Universe and find that the scalar induced gravitational waves generated by the curvature perturbation can be detected by the future space-borne gravitational-wave detectors such as Taiji, TianQin and LISA. △ Less

Submitted 23 February, 2023; v1 submitted 7 December, 2022; originally announced December 2022.

Comments: 15 pages and 4 figures; clarifications and refs added

External Inverse-Compton and Proton Synchrotron Emission from the Reverse Shock as the Origin of VHE Gamma-Rays from the Hyper-Bright GRB 221009A

Authors: B. Theodore Zhang, Kohta Murase, Kunihito Ioka, Deheng Song, Chengchao Yuan, Péter Mészáros

Abstract: The detection of the hyper-bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) 221009A enables us to explore the nature of GRB emission and the origin of very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-rays. We analyze the ${\it Fermi}$-LAT data and investigate GeV-TeV emission in the framework of the external reverse shock model. We show that early $\sim1-10$ GeV emission can be explained by the external inverse-Compton mechanism via ups… ▽ More The detection of the hyper-bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) 221009A enables us to explore the nature of GRB emission and the origin of very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-rays. We analyze the ${\it Fermi}$-LAT data and investigate GeV-TeV emission in the framework of the external reverse shock model. We show that early $\sim1-10$ GeV emission can be explained by the external inverse-Compton mechanism via upscattering MeV gamma-rays by electrons accelerated at the reverse shock, in addition to the synchrotron self-Compton component. The predicted early optical flux could have been brighter than the naked-eye GRB 080319B. We also show that proton synchrotron emission from accelerated ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) is detectable, and could potentially explain $\gtrsim \rm TeV$ photons detected by LHAASO or UHECR acceleration can be constrained. Our model suggests that the detection of $\mathcal{O}(10\rm~TeV)$ photons with energy up to $\sim18$ TeV is possible for reasonable models of the extragalactic background light without invoking new physics, and predicts anti-correlations between MeV photons and TeV photons, which can be tested with the LHAASO data. △ Less

Submitted 27 March, 2023; v1 submitted 10 November, 2022; originally announced November 2022.

Comments: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL. Results and figures are updated, and the main conclusions remain unchanged

Report number: YITP-23-02

Journal ref: Astrophys.J. 947 (2023) L14

Model Independent Approach of the JUNO $^8$B Solar Neutrino Program

Authors: JUNO Collaboration, Jie Zhao, Baobiao Yue, Haoqi Lu, Yufeng Li, Jiajie Ling, Zeyuan Yu, Angel Abusleme, Thomas Adam, Shakeel Ahmad, Rizwan Ahmed, Sebastiano Aiello, Muhammad Akram, Abid Aleem, Tsagkarakis Alexandros, Fengpeng An, Qi An, Giuseppe Andronico, Nikolay Anfimov, Vito Antonelli, Tatiana Antoshkina, Burin Asavapibhop, João Pedro Athayde Marcondes de André, Didier Auguste, Weidong Bai , et al. (579 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The physics potential of detecting $^8$B solar neutrinos will be exploited at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), in a model independent manner by using three distinct channels of the charged-current (CC), neutral-current (NC) and elastic scattering (ES) interactions. Due to the largest-ever mass of $^{13}$C nuclei in the liquid-scintillator detectors and the {expected} low backg… ▽ More The physics potential of detecting $^8$B solar neutrinos will be exploited at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), in a model independent manner by using three distinct channels of the charged-current (CC), neutral-current (NC) and elastic scattering (ES) interactions. Due to the largest-ever mass of $^{13}$C nuclei in the liquid-scintillator detectors and the {expected} low background level, $^8$B solar neutrinos would be observable in the CC and NC interactions on $^{13}$C for the first time. By virtue of optimized event selections and muon veto strategies, backgrounds from the accidental coincidence, muon-induced isotopes, and external backgrounds can be greatly suppressed. Excellent signal-to-background ratios can be achieved in the CC, NC and ES channels to guarantee the $^8$B solar neutrino observation. From the sensitivity studies performed in this work, we show that JUNO, with ten years of data, can reach the {1$σ$} precision levels of 5%, 8% and 20% for the $^8$B neutrino flux, $\sin^2θ_{12}$, and $Δm^2_{21}$, respectively. It would be unique and helpful to probe the details of both solar physics and neutrino physics. In addition, when combined with SNO, the world-best precision of 3% is expected for the $^8$B neutrino flux measurement. △ Less

Submitted 6 March, 2024; v1 submitted 15 October, 2022; originally announced October 2022.

Comments: 19 pages, 7 figures, accepted version to appear in The Astrophysical Journal. Yufeng Li and Jiajie Ling are corresponding authors

Journal ref: Astrophysical Journal 965 (2024) 122

One-loop correction to the enhanced curvature perturbation with local-type non-Gaussianity for the formation of primordial black holes

Authors: De-Shuang Meng, Chen Yuan, Qing-guo Huang

Abstract: As one of the promising candidates of cold dark matter (DM), primordial black holes (PBHs) were formed due to the collapse of over-densed regions generated by the enhanced curvature perturbations during the radiation-dominated era. The enhanced curvature perturbations are expected to be non-Gaussian in some relevant inflation models and hence the higher-order loop corrections to the curvature powe… ▽ More As one of the promising candidates of cold dark matter (DM), primordial black holes (PBHs) were formed due to the collapse of over-densed regions generated by the enhanced curvature perturbations during the radiation-dominated era. The enhanced curvature perturbations are expected to be non-Gaussian in some relevant inflation models and hence the higher-order loop corrections to the curvature power spectrum might be non-negligible as well as altering the abundance of PBHs. In this paper, we calculate the one-loop correction to the curvature power spectrum with local-type non-Gaussianities characterizing by $F_{\mathrm{NL}}$ and $G_{\mathrm{NL}}$ standing for the quadratic and cubic non-Gaussian parameters, respectively. Requiring that the one-loop correction be subdominant, we find a perturbativity condition, namely $|2cAF_{\mathrm{NL}}^2+6AG_{\mathrm{NL}}|\ll 1$, where $c$ is a constant coefficient which can be explicitly calculated in the given model and $A$ denotes the variance of Gaussian part of enhanced curvature perturbation, and such a perturbativity condition can provide a stringent constraint on the relevant inflation models for the formation of PBHs. △ Less

Submitted 15 July, 2022; originally announced July 2022.

Comments: 6 pages, 5 figures

Prospects for Detecting the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background with JUNO

Authors: JUNO Collaboration, Angel Abusleme, Thomas Adam, Shakeel Ahmad, Rizwan Ahmed, Sebastiano Aiello, Muhammad Akram, Fengpeng An, Qi An, Giuseppe Andronico, Nikolay Anfimov, Vito Antonelli, Tatiana Antoshkina, Burin Asavapibhop, João Pedro Athayde Marcondes de André, Didier Auguste, Nikita Balashov, Wander Baldini, Andrea Barresi, Davide Basilico, Eric Baussan, Marco Bellato, Antonio Bergnoli, Thilo Birkenfeld, Sylvie Blin , et al. (577 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present the detection potential for the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB) at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), using the inverse-beta-decay (IBD) detection channel on free protons. We employ the latest information on the DSNB flux predictions, and investigate in detail the background and its reduction for the DSNB search at JUNO. The atmospheric neutrino induced n… ▽ More We present the detection potential for the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB) at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), using the inverse-beta-decay (IBD) detection channel on free protons. We employ the latest information on the DSNB flux predictions, and investigate in detail the background and its reduction for the DSNB search at JUNO. The atmospheric neutrino induced neutral current (NC) background turns out to be the most critical background, whose uncertainty is carefully evaluated from both the spread of model predictions and an envisaged \textit{in situ} measurement. We also make a careful study on the background suppression with the pulse shape discrimination (PSD) and triple coincidence (TC) cuts. With latest DSNB signal predictions, more realistic background evaluation and PSD efficiency optimization, and additional TC cut, JUNO can reach the significance of 3$σ$ for 3 years of data taking, and achieve better than 5$σ$ after 10 years for a reference DSNB model. In the pessimistic scenario of non-observation, JUNO would strongly improve the limits and exclude a significant region of the model parameter space. △ Less

Submitted 13 October, 2022; v1 submitted 18 May, 2022; originally announced May 2022.

Comments: 29 pages, 11 figures, final published version in JCAP

Journal ref: JCAP 10 (2022) 033

Constraints on the ultralight scalar boson from Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo's first three observing runs using the stochastic gravitational-wave background

Authors: Chen Yuan, Yang Jiang, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: Ultralight bosons are promising dark matter candidates and can trigger superradiant instabilities of spinning black holes (BHs), resulting in long-lived rotating "bosonic clouds" around the BHs and dissipating their energy through the emission of monochromatic gravitational waves (GWs). We focus on the scalar bosons minimally coupled with both isolated stellar-origin BHs (SBH) and their binary mer… ▽ More Ultralight bosons are promising dark matter candidates and can trigger superradiant instabilities of spinning black holes (BHs), resulting in long-lived rotating "bosonic clouds" around the BHs and dissipating their energy through the emission of monochromatic gravitational waves (GWs). We focus on the scalar bosons minimally coupled with both isolated stellar-origin BHs (SBH) and their binary merger remnants, and perform Bayesian data analysis to search for the stochastic GW background from all the unstable modes that can trigger the superradiant instabilities using the data of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo's first three observing runs. We find no evidence for such signal, and hence rule out the scalar bosons within the mass range $[1.5, 16]\times10^{-13}$ eV, $[1.9, 8.3]\times10^{-13}$ eV and $[1.3, 17]\times10^{-13}$ eV at $95\%$ confidence level for isolated SBHs having a uniform dimensionless spin distribution in $[0,1]$, $[0,0.5]$ and $[0.5,1]$, respectively. △ Less

Submitted 11 July, 2022; v1 submitted 7 April, 2022; originally announced April 2022.

Comments: 5 pages, 2 figures and 1 figure; more discussion added, version accepted for publication in PRD

GeV Signatures of Short Gamma-Ray Bursts in Active Galactic Nuclei

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Kohta Murase, Dafne Guetta, Asaf Pe'er, Imre Bartos, Péter Mészáros

Abstract: The joint detection of gravitational waves and the gamma-ray counterpart of a binary neutron star merger event, GW170817, unambiguously validates the connection between short gamma-ray bursts and compact binary object (CBO) mergers. We focus on a special scenario where short gamma-ray bursts produced by CBO mergers are embedded in disks of active galactic nuclei (AGN), and we investigate the $γ$-r… ▽ More The joint detection of gravitational waves and the gamma-ray counterpart of a binary neutron star merger event, GW170817, unambiguously validates the connection between short gamma-ray bursts and compact binary object (CBO) mergers. We focus on a special scenario where short gamma-ray bursts produced by CBO mergers are embedded in disks of active galactic nuclei (AGN), and we investigate the $γ$-ray emission produced in the internal dissipation region via synchrotron, synchrotron self-Compton and external inverse-Compton (EIC) processes. In this scenario, isotropic thermal photons from the AGN disks contribute to the EIC component. We show that a low-density cavity can be formed in the migration traps, leading to the embedded mergers producing successful GRB jets. We find that the EIC component would dominate the GeV emission for typical CBO mergers with an isotropic-equivalent luminosity of $L_{j,\rm iso}=10^{48.5}~\rm erg~s^{-1}$ which are located close to the central supermassive black hole. Considering a long-lasting jet of duration $T_{\rm dur}\sim10^2-10^3$ s, we find that the future CTA will be able to detect its $25-100$ GeV emission out to a redshift $z=1.0$. {In the optimistic case, it is possible to detect the on-axis extended emission simultaneously with GWs within one decade using MAGIC, H.E.S.S., VERITAS, CTA, and LHAASO-WCDA. Early diagnosis of prompt emissions with Fermi-GBM and HAWC can provide valuable directional information for the follow-up observations. △ Less

Submitted 9 May, 2022; v1 submitted 14 December, 2021; originally announced December 2021.

Comments: 11 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Journal ref: Astrophys.J. 932 (2022) 80

Near-horizon microstructure and superradiant instability of black holes

Authors: Rong-Zhen Guo, Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: Ultralight bosons, as important candidates of dark matter, can condense around spinning black holes (BHs) to form long-lived ``boson clouds'' due to superradiance instability. The boson-BH system can be observed through gravitational wave detection and may become a new window to find traces of ultralight bosons. In this letter we explore the effects on the superradiant instability of BHs from the… ▽ More Ultralight bosons, as important candidates of dark matter, can condense around spinning black holes (BHs) to form long-lived ``boson clouds'' due to superradiance instability. The boson-BH system can be observed through gravitational wave detection and may become a new window to find traces of ultralight bosons. In this letter we explore the effects on the superradiant instability of BHs from the near-horizon microstructure. By introducing the reflection parameter near a BH horizon, we derived analytical results on the corrections to both energy levels of bosonic cloud and its characteristic frequencies of superradiance instability. Our results imply that the evolution of a boson-BH system and gravitational waves it emits would be influenced by the near-horizon physics of a BH. △ Less

Submitted 7 September, 2021; originally announced September 2021.

Comments: 5 pages

Confronting the primordial black hole scenario with the gravitational-wave events detected by LIGO-Virgo

Authors: Zu-Cheng Chen, Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: Adopting a binned method, we model-independently reconstruct the mass function of primordial black holes (PBHs) from GWTC-3 and find that such a PBH mass function can be explained by a broad red-tilted power spectrum of curvature perturbations. Even though GW190521 with component masses in upper mass gap $(m>65M_\odot)$ can be naturally interpreted in the PBH scenario, the events (including GW1908… ▽ More Adopting a binned method, we model-independently reconstruct the mass function of primordial black holes (PBHs) from GWTC-3 and find that such a PBH mass function can be explained by a broad red-tilted power spectrum of curvature perturbations. Even though GW190521 with component masses in upper mass gap $(m>65M_\odot)$ can be naturally interpreted in the PBH scenario, the events (including GW190814, GW190425, GW200105, and GW200115) with component masses in the light mass range $(m<3M_\odot)$ are quite unlikely to be explained by binary PBHs although there are no electromagnetic counterparts because the corresponding PBH merger rates are much smaller than those given by LIGO-Virgo. Furthermore, we predict that both the gravitational-wave (GW) background generated by the binary PBHs and the scalar-induced GWs accompanying the formation of PBHs should be detected by the ground-based and space-borne GW detectors and pulsar timing arrays in the future. △ Less

Submitted 13 January, 2022; v1 submitted 26 August, 2021; originally announced August 2021.

Comments: 7 pages, 2 figures; updated to GWTC-3

Journal ref: Phys.Lett.B 829 (2022) 137040

Evaporating black holes: constraints on anomalous emission mechanisms

Authors: Chen Yuan, Richard Brito, Vitor Cardoso

Abstract: Hawking radiation of astrophysical black holes is minute and thought to be unobservable. However, different mechanisms could contribute to an anomalously high emission rate: extra dimensions, new "dark" families of bosons or fermions, or a lower fundamental Planck scale. Do black holes flood the Universe with gravitational waves via mass loss? Here, we show that the formation of black hole binarie… ▽ More Hawking radiation of astrophysical black holes is minute and thought to be unobservable. However, different mechanisms could contribute to an anomalously high emission rate: extra dimensions, new "dark" families of bosons or fermions, or a lower fundamental Planck scale. Do black holes flood the Universe with gravitational waves via mass loss? Here, we show that the formation of black hole binaries and the absence of a stochastic background of gravitational waves can limit the emission rate to $|\dot{M}|\lesssim 10^{-15}M_{\odot}/{\rm yr}$, seven orders of magnitude more stringent than bounds from resolvable inspiralling binaries. △ Less

Submitted 9 December, 2021; v1 submitted 29 July, 2021; originally announced July 2021.

Comments: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 table

Probing ultralight dark matter with future ground-based gravitational-wave detectors

Authors: Chen Yuan, Richard Brito, Vitor Cardoso

Abstract: Ultralight bosons are possible fundamental building blocks of nature, and promising dark matter candidates. They can trigger superradiant instabilities of spinning black holes (BHs) and form long-lived "bosonic clouds" that slowly dissipate energy through the emission of gravitational waves (GWs). Previous studies constrained ultralight bosons by searching for the stochastic gravitational wave bac… ▽ More Ultralight bosons are possible fundamental building blocks of nature, and promising dark matter candidates. They can trigger superradiant instabilities of spinning black holes (BHs) and form long-lived "bosonic clouds" that slowly dissipate energy through the emission of gravitational waves (GWs). Previous studies constrained ultralight bosons by searching for the stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB) emitted by these sources in LIGO data, focusing on the most unstable dipolar and quadrupolar modes. Here we focus on scalar bosons and extend previous works by: (i) studying in detail the impact of higher modes in the SGWB; (ii) exploring the potential of future proposed ground-based GW detectors, such as the Neutron Star Extreme Matter Observatory, the Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer, to detect this SGWB. We find that higher modes largely dominate the SGWB for bosons with masses $\gtrsim 10^{-12}$ eV, which is particularly relevant for future GW detectors. By estimating the signal-to-noise ratio of this SGWB, due to both stellar-origin BHs and from a hypothetical population of primordial BHs, we find that future ground-based GW detectors could observe or constrain bosons in the mass range $\sim [7\times 10^{-14}, 2\times 10^{-11}]$ eV and significantly improve on current and future constraints imposed by LIGO and Virgo observations. △ Less

Submitted 9 December, 2021; v1 submitted 31 May, 2021; originally announced June 2021.

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. D 104, 044011 (2021)

A topic review on probing primordial black hole dark matter with scalar induced gravitational waves

Authors: Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: Primordial black holes (PBHs) are supposed to form from the collapse of over-densed regions generated by large scalar curvature perturbations in the radiation dominated era. Despite decades of various independent observations, the nature of dark matter (DM) remains highly puzzling. Recently, PBH DM have aroused interest since they provide an attracting explanation to the merger events of binary bl… ▽ More Primordial black holes (PBHs) are supposed to form from the collapse of over-densed regions generated by large scalar curvature perturbations in the radiation dominated era. Despite decades of various independent observations, the nature of dark matter (DM) remains highly puzzling. Recently, PBH DM have aroused interest since they provide an attracting explanation to the merger events of binary black holes discovered by LIGO/VIRGO and may play an important role on DM. During the formation of PBH, gravitational waves will be sourced by linear scalar perturbations at second-order, known as the scalar-induced gravitational waves (SIGWs), which provides a new way to hunt for PBH DM. This topic review mainly focus on the physics about SIGWs accompanying the formation of PBH DM. △ Less

Submitted 29 August, 2021; v1 submitted 8 March, 2021; originally announced March 2021.

Comments: 23 pages, 7 figures; version accepted by iScience

Journal ref: iScience 24, 102860 (2021)

Non-tensorial Gravitational Wave Background in NANOGrav 12.5-Year Data Set

Authors: Zu-Cheng Chen, Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: We perform the first search for an isotropic non-tensorial gravitational-wave background (GWB) allowed in general metric theories of gravity in the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) 12.5-year data set. By modeling the GWB as a power-law spectrum, we find strong Bayesian indication for a spatially correlated process with scalar transverse (ST) correlations whos… ▽ More We perform the first search for an isotropic non-tensorial gravitational-wave background (GWB) allowed in general metric theories of gravity in the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) 12.5-year data set. By modeling the GWB as a power-law spectrum, we find strong Bayesian indication for a spatially correlated process with scalar transverse (ST) correlations whose Bayes factor versus the spatially uncorrelated common-spectrum process is $107\pm 7$, but no statistically significant evidence for the tensor transverse, vector longitudinal and scalar longitudinal polarization modes. The median and the $90\%$ equal-tail amplitudes of ST mode are $\mathcal{A}_{\mathrm{ST}}= 1.06^{+0.35}_{-0.28} \times 10^{-15}$, or equivalently the energy density parameter per logarithm frequency is $Ω_{\mathrm{GW}}^{\mathrm{ST}} = 1.54^{+1.21}_{-0.71} \times 10^{-9}$, at frequency of 1/year. △ Less

Submitted 4 October, 2021; v1 submitted 17 January, 2021; originally announced January 2021.

Comments: 6 pages, 2 tables and 2 figures; version under review which was revised before arXiv:2109.14706

Journal ref: Sci.China Phys.Mech.Astron. 64 (2021) 12, 120412

Post-Merger Jets from Supermassive Black Hole Coalescences as Electromagnetic Counterparts of Gravitational Wave Emission

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Kohta Murase, B. Theodore Zhang, Shigeo S. Kimura, Peter Mészáros

Abstract: As a powerful source of gravitational waves (GW), a supermassive black hole (SMBH) merger may be accompanied by a relativistic jet that leads to detectable electromagnetic (EM) emission. We model the propagation of post-merger jets inside a pre-merger circumnuclear environment formed by disk winds, and calculate multi-wavelength EM spectra from the forward shock region. We show that the non-therma… ▽ More As a powerful source of gravitational waves (GW), a supermassive black hole (SMBH) merger may be accompanied by a relativistic jet that leads to detectable electromagnetic (EM) emission. We model the propagation of post-merger jets inside a pre-merger circumnuclear environment formed by disk winds, and calculate multi-wavelength EM spectra from the forward shock region. We show that the non-thermal EM signals from SMBH mergers are detectable up to the detection horizon of future GW facilities such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Calculations based on our model predict slowly fading transients with time delays from days to months after the coalescence, leading to implications for EM follow-up observations after the GW detection. △ Less

Submitted 12 March, 2021; v1 submitted 14 January, 2021; originally announced January 2021.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL. Schematic diagrams added

Journal ref: Astrophys.J. 911 (2021) L15

External Inverse-Compton Emission Associated with Extended and Plateau Emission of Short Gamma-Ray Bursts: Application to GRB 160821B

Authors: B. Theodore Zhang, Kohta Murase, Chengchao Yuan, Shigeo S. Kimura, Peter Mészáros

Abstract: The recent detection of TeV photons from two gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), GRB 190114C and GRB 180720B, has opened a new window for multi-messenger and multi-wavelength astrophysics of high-energy transients. We study the origin of very-high-energy (VHE) $γ$-rays from the short GRB 160821B, for which the MAGIC Collaboration reported a $\sim 3 σ$ statistical significance. Short GRBs are often accompanie… ▽ More The recent detection of TeV photons from two gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), GRB 190114C and GRB 180720B, has opened a new window for multi-messenger and multi-wavelength astrophysics of high-energy transients. We study the origin of very-high-energy (VHE) $γ$-rays from the short GRB 160821B, for which the MAGIC Collaboration reported a $\sim 3 σ$ statistical significance. Short GRBs are often accompanied by extended and plateau emission, which is attributed to internal dissipation resulting from activities of a long-lasting central engine, and Murase et al. (2018) recently suggested the external inverse-Compton (EIC) scenario for VHE counterparts of short GRBs and neutron star mergers. Applying this scenario to GRB 160821B, we show that the EIC flux can reach $\sim 10^{-12}\rm~erg~cm^{-2}~s^{-1}$ within a time period of $\sim 10^3 - 10^4\rm~s$, which is consistent with the MAGIC observations. EIC $γ$-rays expected during the extended and plateau emission will be detectable with greater significance by future detectors such as the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). The resulting light curve has a distinguishable feature, where the VHE emission is predicted to reach the peak around the end of the seed emission. △ Less

Submitted 1 February, 2021; v1 submitted 16 December, 2020; originally announced December 2020.

Comments: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in ApJL

Journal ref: Astrophys.J. 908 (2021) L36

High-energy neutrino emission subsequent to gravitational wave radiation from supermassive black hole mergers

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Kohta Murase, Shigeo S. Kimura, Péter Mészáros

Abstract: Supermassive black hole (SMBH) coalescences are ubiquitous in the history of the Universe and often exhibit strong accretion activities and powerful jets. These SMBH mergers are also promising candidates for future gravitational wave detectors such as Laser Space Inteferometric Antenna (LISA). In this work, we consider neutrino counterpart emission originating from the jet-induced shocks. The phys… ▽ More Supermassive black hole (SMBH) coalescences are ubiquitous in the history of the Universe and often exhibit strong accretion activities and powerful jets. These SMBH mergers are also promising candidates for future gravitational wave detectors such as Laser Space Inteferometric Antenna (LISA). In this work, we consider neutrino counterpart emission originating from the jet-induced shocks. The physical picture is that relativistic jets launched after the merger will push forward inside the premerger disk wind material, and then they subsequently get collimated, leading to the formation of internal shocks, collimation shocks, forward shocks and reverse shocks. Cosmic rays can be accelerated in these sites and neutrinos are expected via the photomeson production process. We formulate the jet structures and relevant interactions therein, and then evaluate neutrino emission from each shock site. We find that month-to-year high-energy neutrino emission from the postmerger jet after the gravitational wave event is detectable by IceCube-Gen2 within approximately five to ten years of operation in optimistic cases where the cosmic-ray loading is sufficiently high and a mildly super-Eddington accretion is achieved. We also estimate the contribution of SMBH mergers to the diffuse neutrino intensity, and find that a significant fraction of the observed very high-energy ($E_ν\gtrsim1$ PeV) IceCube neutrinos could originate from them in the optimistic cases. In the future, such neutrino counterparts together with gravitational wave observations can be used in a multimessenger approach to elucidate in greater detail the evolution and the physical mechanism of SMBH mergers. △ Less

Submitted 23 September, 2020; v1 submitted 12 August, 2020; originally announced August 2020.

Comments: 17 pages, 9 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in PRD

Journal ref: Phys. Rev. D 102, 083013 (2020)

Gravitational waves induced by the local-type non-Gaussian curvature perturbations

Authors: Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: The current observational constraints still leave a substantial mass window $\sim [10^{-16},10^{-14}] \cup [10^{-13},10^{-12}] M_\odot$ for primordial black holes (PBHs) representing all of dark matter (DM) in our Universe. The gravitational waves (GWs) induced by the curvature perturbations are inevitably generated during the formation of these PBHs, and fall in the frequency band of LISA. Such s… ▽ More The current observational constraints still leave a substantial mass window $\sim [10^{-16},10^{-14}] \cup [10^{-13},10^{-12}] M_\odot$ for primordial black holes (PBHs) representing all of dark matter (DM) in our Universe. The gravitational waves (GWs) induced by the curvature perturbations are inevitably generated during the formation of these PBHs, and fall in the frequency band of LISA. Such scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) are supposed to be definitely detected by LISA even when the second-order local-type non-Gaussianity characterized by the parameter $F_{\rm NL}$ is taken into account. In this letter, we give a comprehensive analysis of the GWs induced by the local-type non-Gaussian curvature perturbations up to the third-order denoted by the non-linear parameter $G_{\rm NL}$, and find that a log-dependent slope of SIGWs in the infrared region is generically predicted and the amplitude of SIGWs can be further suppressed by several orders of magnitude. Therefore, the null-detection of SIGWs by LISA cannot rule out the possibility of PBHs making up all of DM. △ Less

Submitted 30 August, 2021; v1 submitted 21 July, 2020; originally announced July 2020.

Comments: 6 pages, 3 figures; version accepted for publication

Scalar Induced Gravitational Waves in Different Gauges

Authors: Chen Yuan, Zu-Cheng Chen, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: In this letter we calculate the scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) accompanying the formation of primordial black hole during the radiation dominated era in three different gauges, i.e. synchronous gauge, Newton gauge and uniform curvature gauge, and we find that the energy density spectra of SIGWs, $\ogw(k)$, are identical in these three different gauges. In this letter we calculate the scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) accompanying the formation of primordial black hole during the radiation dominated era in three different gauges, i.e. synchronous gauge, Newton gauge and uniform curvature gauge, and we find that the energy density spectra of SIGWs, $\ogw(k)$, are identical in these three different gauges. △ Less

Submitted 15 January, 2020; v1 submitted 2 December, 2019; originally announced December 2019.

Comments: 2 figures, 8 pages; errors in I(u,v) corrected; version accepted for publication

Journal ref: Phys.Rev.D 101 (2020) 6, 063018

Pulsar Timing Array Constraints on Primordial Black Holes with NANOGrav 11-Year Data Set

Authors: Zu-Cheng Chen, Chen Yuan, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: The detection of binary black hole coalescences by LIGO/Virgo has aroused the interest in primordial black holes (PBHs), because they could be both the progenitors of these black holes and a compelling candidate of dark matter (DM). PBHs are formed soon after the enhanced scalar perturbations re-enter horizon during radiation dominated era, which would inevitably induce gravitational waves as well… ▽ More The detection of binary black hole coalescences by LIGO/Virgo has aroused the interest in primordial black holes (PBHs), because they could be both the progenitors of these black holes and a compelling candidate of dark matter (DM). PBHs are formed soon after the enhanced scalar perturbations re-enter horizon during radiation dominated era, which would inevitably induce gravitational waves as well. Searching for such scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) provides an elegant way to probe PBHs. We perform the first direct search for the signals of SIGWs accompanying the formation of PBHs in North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational waves (NANOGrav) 11-year data set. No statistically significant detection has been made, and hence we place a stringent upper limit on the abundance of PBHs at $95\%$ confidence level. In particular, less than one part in a million of the total DM mass could come from PBHs in the mass range of $[2 \times 10^{-3}, 7\times 10^{-1}] \Msun$. △ Less

Submitted 31 May, 2020; v1 submitted 27 October, 2019; originally announced October 2019.

Comments: 7 pages, 2 table, 2 figures; Typos and errors corrected; replaced by refined figures; version accepted for publication in PRL

Journal ref: Phys.Rev.Lett. 124 (2020) 25, 251101

Log-dependent slope of scalar induced gravitational waves in the infrared regions

Authors: Chen Yuan, Zu-Cheng Chen, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: We analytically calculate the scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) and find a log-dependent slope of SIGW in the infrared regions $(f<f_c)$, namely $n_{\mathrm{GW}}(f)=3-2/\ln(f_c/f)$, and $n_{\mathrm{GW}}(f)=2-2/\ln(f_c/f)$ near the peak if the power spectrum of scalar curvature perturbation is quite narrow, where $f_c$ is roughly the frequency at the peak of SIGW. Such a log-dependent slop… ▽ More We analytically calculate the scalar induced gravitational waves (SIGWs) and find a log-dependent slope of SIGW in the infrared regions $(f<f_c)$, namely $n_{\mathrm{GW}}(f)=3-2/\ln(f_c/f)$, and $n_{\mathrm{GW}}(f)=2-2/\ln(f_c/f)$ near the peak if the power spectrum of scalar curvature perturbation is quite narrow, where $f_c$ is roughly the frequency at the peak of SIGW. Such a log-dependent slope can be taken as a new template for distinguishing SIGW from other sources. △ Less

Submitted 11 February, 2020; v1 submitted 20 October, 2019; originally announced October 2019.

Comments: 7 pages, 2 figures; typo corrected and more discussion added

Journal ref: Phys.Rev.D 101 (2020) 4, 043019

Probing Primordial-Black-Hole Dark Matter with Scalar Induced Gravitational Waves

Authors: Chen Yuan, Zu-Cheng Chen, Qing-Guo Huang

Abstract: The possibility that primordial black holes (PBHs) represent all of the dark matter (DM) in the Universe and explain the coalescences of binary black holes detected by LIGO/Virgo has attracted a lot of attention. PBHs are generated by the enhancement of scalar perturbations which inevitably produce the induced gravitational waves (GWs). We calculate the induced GWs up to the third-order correction… ▽ More The possibility that primordial black holes (PBHs) represent all of the dark matter (DM) in the Universe and explain the coalescences of binary black holes detected by LIGO/Virgo has attracted a lot of attention. PBHs are generated by the enhancement of scalar perturbations which inevitably produce the induced gravitational waves (GWs). We calculate the induced GWs up to the third-order correction which not only enhances the amplitude of induced GWs, but also extends the cutoff frequency from $2k_*$ to $3k_*$. Such effects of the third-order correction lead to an around $10\%$ increase of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for both LISA and pulsar timing array (PTA) observations, and significantly widen the mass range of PBHs in the stellar mass window accompanying detectable induced GWs for PTA observations including IPTA, FAST and SKA. On the other hand, the null detections of the induced GWs by LISA and PTA experiments will exclude the possibility that all of the DM is comprised of PBHs and the GW events detected by LIGO/Virgo are generated by PBHs. △ Less

Submitted 16 July, 2019; v1 submitted 27 June, 2019; originally announced June 2019.

Comments: 6 pages, 2 figures; typos corrected and refs added

Journal ref: Phys.Rev.D 100 (2019) 8, 081301

Complementarity of Stacking and Multiplet Constraints on the Blazar Contribution to the Cumulative High-Energy Neutrino Intensity

Authors: Chengchao Yuan, Kohta Murase, Peter Mészáros

Abstract: We investigate the blazar contribution to the cumulative neutrino intensity assuming a generic relationship between neutrino and gamma-ray luminosities, $L_ν\propto (L_{\rm ph})^{γ_{\rm lw}}$. Using the gamma-ray luminosity functions for blazars including flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and BL Lac objects, as well as the $Fermi$-LAT detection efficiency, we estimate contributions from {blazars… ▽ More We investigate the blazar contribution to the cumulative neutrino intensity assuming a generic relationship between neutrino and gamma-ray luminosities, $L_ν\propto (L_{\rm ph})^{γ_{\rm lw}}$. Using the gamma-ray luminosity functions for blazars including flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and BL Lac objects, as well as the $Fermi$-LAT detection efficiency, we estimate contributions from {blazars resolved by $Fermi$-LAT as well as the unresolved counterpart.} Combining the existing upper limits from stacking analyses, the cumulative neutrino flux from all blazars ({including $Fermi$-LAT resolved and unresolved ones}) are constrained { in the range $0\lesssimγ_{\rm lw}\lesssim2.5$}. We also evaluate the effects of the redshift evolution and the effective local number densities for each class of FSRQs, BL Lacs, and all blazars, by which we place another type of constraints on the blazar contribution using the non-detection of high-energy neutrino multiplets. We demonstrate that these two upper limits are complementary, and that the joint consideration of the stacking and multiplet analyses { not only supports the argument that blazars are disfavored as the dominant sources of the 100-TeV neutrino background, but it extends this argument by including also $Fermi$-LAT-unresolved blazars as well, for a more generic luminosity correlation $L_ν\propto (L_{\rm ph})^{γ_{\rm lw}}$}. △ Less

Submitted 25 December, 2019; v1 submitted 12 April, 2019; originally announced April 2019.

Comments: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. 8 pages, 4 figures

Journal ref: Astrophys.J. 890 (2020) 25