Quantization of scalar fields in curved background, deformed Hopf algebra and entanglement

A suitable deformation of the Hopf algebra of the creation and annihilation operators for a complex scalar field, initially quantized in Minkowski space--time, induces the canonical quantization of the same field in a generic gravitational background. The deformation parameter q turns out to be related to the gravitational field. The entanglement of the quantum vacuum appears to be robust against interaction with the environment.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in Proceedings of the XXIV International Colloquium on Group Theoretical Methods in Physics, Paris, 14-21 July 200

A critical approach to the concept of a polar, low-altitude LARES satellite

According to very recent developments of the LARES mission, which would be devoted to the measurement of the general relativistic Lense--Thirring effect in the gravitational field of the Earth with Satellite Laser Ranging, it seems that the LARES satellite might be finally launched in a polar, low--altitude orbit by means of a relatively low--cost rocket. The observable would be the node only. In this letter we critically analyze this scenario.Comment: LaTex2e, 11 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit

The effect of tides on the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy

Dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) appear to be some of the most dark matter dominated objects in the Universe. Their dynamical masses are commonly derived using the kinematics of stars under the assumption of equilibrium. However, these objects are satellites of massive galaxies (e.g.\ the Milky Way) and thus can be influenced by their tidal fields. We investigate the implication of the assumption of equilibrium focusing on the Sculptor dSph by means of ad-hoc $N$-body simulations tuned to reproduce the observed properties of Sculptor following the evolution along some observationally motivated orbits in the Milky Way gravitational field. For this purpose, we used state-of-the-art spectroscopic and photometric samples of Sculptor's stars. We found that the stellar component of the simulated object is not directly influenced by the tidal field, while $\approx 30\%-60\%$ the mass of the more diffuse DM halo is stripped. We conclude that, considering the most recent estimate of the Sculptor proper motion, the system is not affected by the tides and the stellar kinematics represents a robust tracer of the internal dynamics. In the simulations that match the observed properties of Sculptor, the present-day dark-to-luminous mass ratio is $\approx 6$ within the stellar half-light radius ($\approx0.3$ kpc) and $>50$ within the maximum radius of the analysed dataset ($\approx1.5^\circ\approx2$ kpc).Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. V3: updated after editor comments See our playlist for simulation videos: https://av.tib.eu/series/633/supplemental+videos+of+the+paper+the+effect+of+tides+on+the+sculptor+dwarf+spheroidal+galax

A Magellanic origin for the Virgo substructure

Iorio et al. (2018) mapped out the Milky Way halo using a sample of RR Lyrae stars drawn from a cross-match of Gaia with 2MASS. We investigate the significant residual in their model which we constrain to lie at Galactocentric radii $12<R<27\;\mathrm{kpc}$ and extend over $2600\;\mathrm{deg}^2$ of the sky. A counterpart of this structure exists in both the Catalina Real Time Survey and the sample of RR Lyrae variables identified in Pan-STARRS by Hernitschek et al. (2016), demonstrating that this structure is not caused by the spatial inhomogeneity of Gaia. The structure is likely the Virgo Stellar Stream and/or Virgo Over-Density. We show the structure is aligned with the Magellanic Stream and suggest that it is either debris from a disrupted dwarf galaxy that was a member of the Vast Polar Structure or that it is SMC debris from a tidal interaction of the SMC and LMC $3\;\mathrm{Gyr}$ ago. If the latter then the sub-structure in Virgo may have a Magellanic origin.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, accepted to MNRAS 31/10/201

The impact of tidal errors on the determination of the Lense-Thirring effect from satellite laser ranging

The general relativistic Lense-Thirring effect can be detected by means of a suitable combination of orbital residuals of the laser-ranged LAGEOS and LAGEOS II satellites. While this observable is not affected by the orbital perturbation induced by the zonal Earth solid and ocean tides, it is sensitive to those generated by the tesseral and sectorial tides. The assessment of their influence on the measurement of the parameter mu, with which the gravitomagnetic effect is accounted for, is the goal of this paper. After simulating the combined residual curve by calculating accurately the mismodeling of the more effective tidal perturbations, it has been found that, while the solid tides affect the recovery of mu at a level always well below 1%, for the ocean tides and the other long-period signals Delta mu depends strongly on the observational period and the noise level: Delta mu(tides) amounts to almost 2% after 7 years. The aliasing effect of K1 l=3 p=1 tide and SRP(4241) solar radiation pressure harmonic, with periods longer than 4 years, on the perigee of LAGEOS II yield to a maximum systematic uncertainty on \m_{LT} of less than 4% over different observational periods. The zonal 18.6-year tide does not affect the combined residuals.Comment: 24 pages, 4 tables, 6 figures, submitted to Int. Journal of Mod. Phys. D. Changes in auctorship, references and conten

The Lense-Thirring effect in the Jovian system of the Galilean satellites and its measurability

In this paper we investigate the possibility of measuring the post-Newtonian general relativistic gravitomagnetic Lense-Thirring effect in the Jovian system of its Galilean satellites Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto in view of recent developments in processing and modelling their optical observations spanning a large time interval (125 years). The present day best observations have an accuracy between several kilometers to few tens of kilometers, which is just the order of magnitude of the Lense-Thirring shifts of the orbits of the Galilean satellites over almost a century. From a comparison between analytical development and numerical integration it turns out that, unfortunately, most of the secular component of the gravitomagnetic signature is removed in the process of fitting the initial conditions. Indeed, an estimation of the magnitude of the Lense-Thirring effect in the ephemerides residuals is given; the resulting residuals have a maximum magnitude of 20 meters only (over 125 years).Comment: Latex, 10 pages, 4 tables, 3 figures, 27 references. Invited paper for a Special Issue of Int. J. Mod. Phys. D on the Lense-Thirring effect, D. Grumiller edito

Super-ASTROD: Probing primordial gravitational waves and mapping the outer solar system

Super-ASTROD (Super Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices or ASTROD III) is a mission concept with 3-5 spacecraft in 5 AU orbits together with an Earth-Sun L1/L2 spacecraft ranging optically with one another to probe primordial gravitational-waves with frequencies 0.1 microHz - 1 mHz, to test fundamental laws of spacetime and to map the outer solar system. In this paper we address to its scientific goals, orbit and payload selection, and sensitivity to gravitational waves.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, presented to 7th International LISA Symposium, 16-20 June 2008, Barcelona; submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravity; presentation improve

On the perspectives of testing the Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati gravity model with the outer planets of the Solar System

The multidimensional braneworld gravity model by Dvali, Gabadadze and Porrati was primarily put forth to explain the observed acceleration of the expansion of the Universe without resorting to dark energy. One of the most intriguing features of such a model is that it also predicts small effects on the orbital motion of test particles which could be tested in such a way that local measurements at Solar System scales would allow to get information on the global properties of the Universe. Lue and Starkman derived a secular extra-perihelion \omega precession of 5\times 10^-4 arcseconds per century, while Iorio showed that the mean longitude \lambda is affected by a secular precession of about 10^-3 arcseconds per century. Such effects depend only on the eccentricities e of the orbits via second-order terms: they are, instead, independent of their semimajor axes a. Up to now, the observational efforts focused on the dynamics of the inner planets of the Solar System whose orbits are the best known via radar ranging. Since the competing Newtonian and Einsteinian effects like the precessions due to the solar quadrupole mass moment J2, the gravitoelectric and gravitomagnetic part of the equations of motion reduce with increasing distances, it would be possible to argue that an analysis of the orbital dynamics of the outer planets of the Solar System, with particular emphasis on Saturn because of the ongoing Cassini mission with its precision ranging instrumentation, could be helpful in evidencing the predicted new features of motion. In this note we investigate this possibility in view of the latest results in the planetary ephemeris field. Unfortunately, the current level of accuracy rules out this appealing possibility and it appears unlikely that Cassini and GAIA will ameliorate the situation.Comment: LaTex, 22 pages, 2 tables, 10 figures, 27 references. Reference [17] added, reference [26] updated, caption of figures changed, small change in section 1.