arXiv subjects

Marco Muccino

Publications and source records attributed to Marco Muccino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Prompt and Afterglow Constraints on the Central Engine of GRB 240825A

GRB 240825A shows unprecedented temporal and spectral features that constrain the properties of its inner engine: (1) a prompt emission three-component spectrum consisting of a Band function continuum, a quasi-thermal bump, and a hard MeV tail; and (2) an X-ray afterglow fitted by a power-law decay with index $1.29 \pm 0.02$; and (3) a $6.37 \pm 0.05$ Hz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) identified in the 100-300 keV band during the 2.07-3.25 s time interval, coinciding with the photospheric radiation phase. We compare two central-engine candidates: (a) a newborn millisecond magnetar undergoing multipolar spin-down, free precession, and global magnetoelastic oscillations of its interior; and (b) a Kerr black hole powering a Blandford-Znajek jet subject to Lense-Thirring disk precession. In principle, both channels can reproduce the observed QPO frequency but impose different constraints on the energetics, temporal evolution, and the origin of the oscillation. We first demonstrate that the X-ray afterglow is quantitatively reproduced by a hexapolar magnetar spin-down model with an initial spin period of $P_0 \simeq 1.38$ ms and a surface field of $B_{\rm hexa} \simeq 2.04 \times 10^{16}$ G. The decay index measures a braking index rather than the field multipolarity, does not exclude a fallback-regulated flow, and leaves $P_0$ and $B_{\rm hexa}$ uncertain by a factor of a few. In this scenario, magnetic or magnetoinertial dynamics of the star interior provide a plausible explanation of the QPO without invoking extreme stellar deformations. Although a black hole engine cannot be firmly excluded, the combined prompt and afterglow observational properties of GRB 240825A favor a long-lived magnetar central engine.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Constraints on Scalar--Tensor--Vector Gravity Theory Parameters Inferred from Quasiperiodic Oscillations

We study circular geodesics of neutral test particles in the static charged solution of Scalar--Tensor--Vector Gravity (STVG), and we use the twin kilohertz quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) of twelve accreting compact objects to bound its parameters. Starting from the effective potential we obtain closed forms for the specific energy, the specific angular momentum and the Keplerian angular velocity, and from these the radial and vertical epicyclic frequencies. The horizon, photon sphere, shadow radius and innermost stable circular orbit are given in closed form as well, and each one reduces to the RN and Schwarzschild value in the appropriate limit. Null geodesics are integrated numerically and show how the enhanced coupling widens the capture cross section while leaving the logarithmic divergence of the deflection angle at the photon sphere intact. Within the RP model we then run Metropolis--Hastings MCMC simulations on the QPO pairs of eight neutron stars and four microquasars, comparing the Schwarzschild spacetime, the RN spacetime, STVG with vanishing charge and the full STVG solution. The best fits are obtained mainly for the charged solutions in the neutron star sample, while all four models describe the black hole sample equally well. We show that the orbital dynamics depends on the mass $M$, the coupling $α$ and the charge $Q$ only through the two combinations $\Meff=(1+α)M$ and $\Qeff^{2}=(1+α)(αM^{2}+Q^{2})$, which accounts for the multimodal posteriors found in the neutron star sample and sets a model-independent limit on what QPO timing alone can measure. The astrophysical implications of these bounds, in particular for inferred masses above the Tolman--Oppenheimer--Volkoff limit, are discussed in detail.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

The afterglow of gamma-ray burst - supernova connections

The X-ray afterglow of several long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) associated with broad line type Ib/c supernovae (SNe) exhibits a standard non-thermal afterglow, commonly attributed to synchrotron emission from a relativistic jet, and an evolving thermal component whose physical origin is still debated. We investigate whether these thermal and non-thermal components can be described within a common analytical framework and whether their temporal evolution can provide insight into the physical connection between relativistic jets and SN ejecta. We combine a phenomenological description of the synchrotron emission of the non-thermal energy associated with the relativistic jet with a diffusion model describing the thermal evolution of the jet-affected portion of the SN ejecta. The resulting coupled system is solved analytically, leading to closed-form expressions for both non-thermal and thermal luminosities. We apply the model to the following systems: GRB 060218A/SN 2006aj and GRB 171205A/SN 2017iuk. The proposed formalism reproduces the main features of both thermal and non-thermal light curves. In both systems, the thermal luminosity follows a temporal evolution similar to that of the non-thermal component up to the plateau phase. The inferred thermal energy stored in the jet-affected ejecta is found to be a fraction of the energy coupled to the observed non-thermal emission. The characteristic timescales obtained from the fits suggest a direct link between the evolution of the jet and the thermal response of the expanding ejecta. Although simplified, the proposed framework provides a unified analytical description of LGRB afterglows and their thermal counterparts and offers a useful tool for investigating the physical connection between relativistic jets and SNe Ib/c.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Cosmological consequences of scale-dependent Barrow-Tsallis entropy

We investigate an extended cosmological scenario based on the Barrow-Tsallis entropy, incorporating a varying (i.e., energy-scale-dependent) anomalous dimension. This behavior is reminiscent of quantum gravity and effective field theory settings, where the relevant couplings acquire a nontrivial scale dependence. By applying the gravity-thermodynamic conjecture on the apparent horizon of a flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Universe, we derive the corresponding modified cosmological equations. The standard dynamics is recovered as a limiting case when the Barrow-Tsallis entropy reduces to the conventional Bekenstein-Hawking form. The proposed model is tested against a combination of early- and late-time datasets, including observational Hubble parameter measurements, the Pantheon+ catalog of Type~Ia supernovae, the second data release of DESI baryon acoustic oscillations and cosmic microwave background constraints. Using the Bayesian Information Criterion, we finally compare the fitting performance of our framework with that of the $Λ$CDM paradigm. While the latter remains mildly favored, our model is shown to be fully compatible with current observations within suitable regions of the parameter space, unveiling a richer phenomenology that points towards a possible alleviation of the Hubble tension.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

The macroscopic precession model of quasi-periodic oscillations for rotating compact objects

The relativistic precession model (RPM) interprets the twin kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) as geodesic frequencies of test particles orbiting in the spacetime of X-ray binaries hosting either a neutron star (NS) or a black hole. In several NS X-ray binaries, QPOs are well reproduced by effective geometries nearly degenerate with a Schwarzschild-de Sitter (SdS) spacetime, hindering independent determinations of the mass, the angular momentum and other observables. We propose how to solve this physical limitation by incorporating the effects of orbiting matter spin, culminating in introducing the macroscopic precession model (MPM). We treat the disk inhomogeneities as spinning test bodies governed by the Mathisson-Papapetrou-Dixon (MPD) equations and obtain non-minimal spin curvature corrections to the azimuthal and the radial epicyclic frequencies. We perform Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) fits, based on the Metropolis algorithm, and model eight NS X-ray binary sources. Our statistical analyzes show that the data select the internal structure of the accreting matter, without requiring corrections to Kerr and Schwarzschild spacetimes through the introduction of any correcting de Sitter phase. Physically, the MPM paradigm explains why an effective SdS-like structure could be statistically favored if spin is not employed, through non-minimal spin-curvature coupling, leaving unaltered the test particle hypothesis.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Testing dark matter density profiles based on Padé approximants of different orders

We investigate whether low-order Padé rational functions can be used as empirical density profiles for modeling dark matter halos from galaxy RCs. We introduce three parameterizations determined from Padé series, denoted Padé 02, Padé 12 and Padé 03, and compare them with pseudo-isothermal, Burkert, Beta, Brownstein, exponential-sphere and Persic models. The analysis is performed for eight galaxies under the assumption that RCs are dark matter dominated. The parameters are inferred from RC data and the relative statistical performance of the models is obtained through the Bayesian Information Criterion. We find that the Padé profiles perform well, being comparable with the other profiles, albeit not universally preferred. In most galaxies, conventional two parameter profiles provide fits of comparable or better statistical quality, whereas the clearest improvement occurs for one particular galaxy, where the Padé 03 profile gives the lowest BIC. Even though the Padé profiles are often statistically less strong than other models, they appear plausible in explaining the dark matter nature. Hence, their empirical construction can therefore be used to reconstruct RCs phenomenologically.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Cosmological and lunar laser ranging constraints on evolving dark energy in a nonminimally coupled curvature-matter gravity model

We analyze a cosmological solution to the field equations of a modified gravity model where curvature and matter are nonminimally coupled. The current Universe's accelerated expansion is driven by a cosmological constant while the impact of the nonminimal coupling on the expansion history is recast as an effective equation of state for evolving dark energy. The model is analyzed under a tracking solution that follows the minimum of the effective potential for a scalar field that captures the modified theory's effects. We determine the conditions for the existence of this minimum and for the validity of the tracking solution. Cosmological constraints on the parameters of the model are obtained by resorting to recent outcomes of data from the DESI collaboration in combination with the Pantheon+ and Dark Energy Survey supernovae compilations, which give compatible results that point to the presence of a dynamical behavior for dark energy. The gravity model violates the equivalence principle since it gives rise to a fifth force that implies the Earth and Moon fall differently towards the Sun. The cosmological constraints are intersected with limits resulting from a test of the equivalence principle in the Earth-Moon system based on lunar laser ranging data. We find that a variety of model parameters are consistent with both of these constraints, all while producing a dynamical evolution of dark energy with similarities to that found in recent DESI results.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

No evidence for dynamical dark energy from the Combo correlation of GRBs

Recently, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) collaboration has presented results indicating that dark energy may exhibit dynamical behavior. Calibrated gamma-ray burst (GRB) correlations can be employed to verify or reject a time-evolution of the dark energy (DE) equation of state, $ω(z)$, up to redshifts $z\sim 9$. We use the most updated catalog of GRBs fulfilling the Combo correlation and improve its calibration employing three catalogs of type Ia supernovae at redshifts $z\leq0.075$ and the Bézier interpolation of the Hubble rate, as an alternative to the cosmographic series that fails to be constraining at high redshifts. To test the evolution of $ω(z)$, we adopt a model-independent, redshift-binned DE parametrization. In both the calibration and the DE reconstruction analyses the impact of the spatial curvature on the results is explored. The calibrated Combo correlation yields a Hubble constant $H_0\sim70$ km/s/Mpc which alleviates the existing Hubble tension and is broadly consistent with current measurements, although the uncertainties prevent a high-precision measurement. Regarding the reconstruction of $ω(z)$ of DE, spatially curved scenarios are disfavored and, despite the apparent ''phantom'' behavior at $z\lesssim0.55$ due to the limited statistics caused by the shortage of nearby events, at $z>0.55$ the analysis provides statistically robust evidence in favor of the cosmological constant scenario. The Combo correlation alleviates the Hubble tension and shows no significant evidence in favor of dynamical DE. This suggests that GRBs, as distance indicators, are broadly consistent with the current cosmic distance ladder.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

Tightening Cosmological Constraints Within and Beyond $Λ$CDM Using Gamma-Ray Bursts Calibrated with Type Ia Supernovae

Context. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) reach redshifts beyond Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and can extend distance measurements into the early Universe, but their use as distance indicators is limited by the circularity problem in calibrating empirical luminosity relations. Aims. We present a model-independent methodology to overcome this circularity by combining Pantheon$+$ SNe Ia, a distance reconstruction based on artificial neural networks (ANNs), and two GRB correlations (Amati and Combo) into a distance ladder from low to high redshift, with the goal of constraining cosmological parameters in $Λ\mathrm{CDM}$ and $w_0 w_a \mathrm{CDM}$. Methods. We use the ReFANN to reconstruct the luminosity distance $d_L(z)$ and distance modulus $μ(z)$ from the Pantheon$+$ dataset, with hyperparameters optimized via approximate Bayesian computation rejection and a risk function. This model-independent reconstruction calibrates the Amati and Combo relations using a low-redshift ($z<1$) GRB sample from Fermi GBM and Swift-XRT. The calibrated relations then provide distance estimates for GRBs at $z \geq 1$. Finally, a joint Bayesian analysis simultaneously constrains the cosmological and GRB correlation parameters, ensuring self-consistent uncertainty propagation. Results. We obtain consistent cosmological constraints from two independent GRB correlations. The Hubble constant $H_0$ agrees with SNe Ia values, though potentially influenced by Pantheon$+$ dataset. High-redshift GRBs favour a higher matter density $Ω_m$ than the Pantheon$+$ and hint at possible dark energy evolution.Conclusions. We present a framework that mitigates GRB cosmology's circularity problem, extending the distance ladder to $z \sim 9$ and establishing GRBs as a high-redshift probe.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

The macroscopic precession model: describing quasi-periodic oscillations including internal structures of test bodies

The relativistic precession model (RPM) is widely-considered as a benchmark framework to interpret quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), albeit several observational inconsistencies suggest that the model remains incomplete. The RPM ensures \emph{structureless test particles} and attributes precession to geodesic motion alone. Here, we refine the RPM by incorporating the internal structure of rotating test bodies, while preserving the test particle approximation (TPA), and propose a \emph{macroscopic precession model} (MPM) by means of the Mathisson-Papapetrou-Dixon (MPD) equations, applied to a Schwarzschild background, which introduces 1) a shift in the Keplerian frequency and 2) an \emph{effective spin correction} to the radial epicyclic frequency that, once the spin tensor is modeled, reproduces a quasi-Schwarzschild-de Sitter (SdS) correction. We apply the MPM to eight neutron star low mass X-ray binaries (NS-LMXBs), performing Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) fits to twin kHz QPOs and find observational and statistical evidence in favor of precise power law spin reconstructions. Further, our model accurately predicts the $3:2$ frequency clustering, the disk boundaries and the NS masses. From the MPM model, we thus conclude that complexity of QPOs can be fully-described including the test particle internal structure.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Investigating the cosmic distance duality relation with gamma-ray bursts

Deviations from the so-called {\it cosmic distance duality relation} may result from systematic errors in distance measurements or, more interestingly, hint at new physics. Further, it can also be related to the Hubble constant tension between early and local measurements of $H_0$. Based on this, we test validity of this relation through a model-independent parameterization of the Hubble rate via the well-estabilished Bézier polynomials approach. We seek for possible departures from the relation considering three parametrizations, i) a power-law correction, ii) a logarithmic correction and iii) a Padé series $P_{n,m}(z)$ of order (1;2) with $n=1$ being the order of the numerator while $m=2$ is the order of the denominator. Then, assuming a flat scenario, we test them through Monte Carlo -- Markov chain analyses that combine low- and intermediate/high-$z$ data sets, such as observational Hubble data, the Pantheon catalog of type Ia supernovae, galaxy clusters, the second data release from the DESI Collaboration and gamma-ray bursts. In particular, we distinguish between \emph{Analysis A} and \emph{Analysis C}, depending whether the prompt emission $E_{iso}-E_p$ or the prompt-afterglow $L_0-E_p-T$ gamma-ray burst correlations, respectively, is fit together with the other probes previously described. Our results seem to point towards a \emph{no violation} of the cosmic distance duality relation and a preference towards Planck's value of $H_0$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Constraints on the Sen black hole mass and charge from quasi-periodic oscillations

We analyze quasi-periodic oscillation data from selected X-ray binary systems hosting black holes. To model the spacetime geometry, we resort the static Sen solution -- originally derived in the framework of heterotic string theory -- which reduces to the Schwarzschild spacetime for vanishing electric charge. By fitting the observed frequencies within the relativistic precession model, we constrain the mass and charge parameters of the Sen black hole and discuss their astrophysical implications, particularly in distinguishing classical black holes from their string-inspired counterparts.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Exploring the cosmic microwave background dipole direction using gamma-ray bursts

We search for dipole variations in the Hubble constant $H_0$ using gamma-ray burst (GRB) data, as such anisotropies may shed light on the Hubble tension. We employ the most recent and reliable GRB catalogs from the $E_{p}-E_{iso}$ and the $L_0-E_{p}-T$ correlations. Despite their large uncertainties, GRBs are particularly suited for this analysis due to their redshift coverage up to $z\sim9$, their isotropic sky distribution that minimizes directional bias, and their strong correlations whose normalizations act as proxies for $H_0$. To this aim, a whole sky scan - partitioning GRB data into hemispheres - enabled to define dipole directions by fitting the relevant GRB correlation and cosmological parameters. The statistical significance across the full $H_0$ dipole maps, one per correlation, is then evaluated through the normalization differences between hemispheres and compared against the CMB dipole direction. The method is then validated by simulating directional anisotropies via Markov Chain Monte Carlo analyses for both correlations. Comparison with previous literature confirms the robustness of the method, while no significant dipole evidence is detected, consistently with the expected isotropy of GRBs. This null result is discussed in light of future analyses involving larger datasets.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Effects of matter with anisotropic pressure on the Fan-Wang regular black hole shadows

We here investigate the consequences of an exotic fluid, exhibiting negative radial and tangential pressures, \emph{de facto} violating the Zel'dovich limit, on a regular solution that easily generalizes the Schwarzschild black hole. More precisely, we focus on the regular Fan-Wang spacetime, computing how the black hole shadow images, surrounded by the quoted fluid, is modified through the presence of \emph{negative} equations of state for the two pressure components. Even though quite different from quintessence, we consider constant radial and tangential equations of state with the aim of emulating, but not reproducing, dark energy effects. Moreover, we explore the main properties of infalling spherical accretion flows and, accordingly, the influence of the equations of state on the horizons, photosphere, and impact parameter of the Fan-Wang black hole. Afterwards, we examine the luminosities of the shadow and the photon ring in two distinct spherically accretion flows, as well as the observed specific intensity of the shadow itself. Last but not least, we physically interpret the impact of negative pressures on our findings and discuss possible extensions to the isotropic case.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Impact of a complex scalar spectator field on baryon asymmetry within spontaneous baryogenesis

We extend the framework of spontaneous baryogenesis by investigating the generation of baryon asymmetry when the inflaton, $θ$, is minimally coupled with a complex spectator scalar field $ϕ$, as $θ^2|ϕ|^2$. To do so, we also consider $ϕ$ non-minimally coupled with the Ricci scalar curvature $R$ through a Yukawa-like interaction. We do not consider further interactions of the spectator field with the fermions of the Standard Model, considering it \emph{de facto} as a dark scalar field. In evaluating the violation of the baryon-number conservation during the reheating epoch, in a perfectly homogeneous and isotropic universe, we follow a semiclassical approach, where $θ$, $ϕ$ and gravity are considered as classical fields, whereas the fermions are quantized. We solve the equations of motion for the inflaton and spectator fields, respectively at first and zero-order in perturbation theory, neglecting at first stage the expansion of the universe. Afterwards, we quantify how the spectator field modifies the inflationary dynamics and thus find the baryon asymmetry produced via the inflaton decays into fermion-antifermion pairs by computing the corresponding decay amplitudes. We therefore obtain small first order correction to standard spontaneous baryogenesis and finally discuss the mass-mixing between fermions. Accordingly, the effects of considering the universe expansion are accounted, showing when the coupling between $ϕ$ and $R$ becomes noticeable in altering the overall baryon asymmetry.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Addressing the $H_0$ tension through matter with pressure and no early dark energy

We propose that the Hubble tension arises due to an unaccounted additional component, that behaves as \emph{matter with pressure}. We demonstrate that this fluid remains subdominant compared to both dust and radiation throughout nearly the entire universe expansion history. Specifically, the additional fluid satisfies the Zel'dovic limit with a constant equation of state, $ω_s > 0$, and a quite small normalized energy density, $Ω_s$. Accordingly, this component modifies both the sound horizon and the background expansion rate, \emph{acting quite differently from early dark energy models}, without significantly affecting the other cosmological parameters. To show this, we perform a Monte Carlo Markov chain analysis of our model, hereafter dubbed $Λ_{ω_s}$CDM paradigm, using the publicly available \texttt{CLASS} Boltzmann code. Our results confirm the presence of this fluid, with properties that closely resemble those of radiation. We find best-fit values that satisfy $ω_s \lesssim ω_γ$ and a relative energy density $Ω_s / Ω_γ= 0.45$, with $ω_r$ and $Ω_r$ the equation of state and density of photons, respectively. The effective fluid may be associated with generalized K-essence models or, alternatively, with Proca-type vector fields, albeit we do not exclude \emph{a priori} more exotic possibilities, i.e., dark radiation, axions, and so on. Physical implications of our results are analyzed in detail, indicating a statistical preference for the $Λ_{ω_s}$CDM scenario over the conventional $Λ$CDM background.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

Consequences of non-minimal coupling for mass mixing in spontaneous baryogenesis

We investigate the impact of a non-minimal Yukawa-like coupling between curvature and inflaton field within the \emph{spontaneous baryogenesis} background. We demonstrate that this coupling leads to a significant enhancement in particle production, even for small values of the coupling constant $ξ$. Assuming a perfectly homogeneous and isotropic universe during the reheating phase, we study the inflaton decay into fermion-antifermion pairs by means of a semiclassical approach, treating fermions as quantized fields and considering the inflaton and the Ricci scalar as classical quantities. We adopt the simplest approach in which the inflaton is minimally coupled to baryons, and non-minimally with gravity. In particular, we solve the equations of motion for the inflaton to first order in perturbation theory, with $ξ$ serving as perturbative parameter. Afterwards, we compute the difference in the number densities of baryons and antibaryons produced through the inflaton decay into fermion-antifermion pairs. We show that the non-minimal coupling term \emph{de facto} increases inflaton mass, letting fermion-antifermion decays be more probable, and thus enhancing the overall baryogenesis process. As a further outcome, we find that the non-minimal Yukawa coupling also leads to a renormalization of the inflaton mass and weakly influences the bounds over the gravitational constant. Finally, since the fermionic fields appear not to be mass eigenstates, we specialize the mass-mixing between them only. To this end, we thus include the effects of mass-mixing and cosmic expansion into our calculations. Physical consequences of baryon production are therefore explored.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Generalizing the relativistic precession model of quasi-periodic oscillations through anharmonic corrections

We critically reanalyze the relativistic precession model of quasi-periodic oscillations, exploring its natural extension beyond the standard harmonic approximation. To do so, we show that the perturbed geodesic equations must include anharmonic contributions arising from the higher-order expansion of the effective potential that cannot be neglected \emph{a priori}, as commonly done in all the approaches pursued so far. More specifically, independently of the underlying spacetime geometry, we find that in the radial sector the non-negligible anharmonic correction is quadratic in the radial displacement, i.e. $\propto δr^2$, and significantly affects the radial epicyclic frequency close to the innermost stable circular orbit. Conversely, polar oscillations $δθ$ remain approximately decoupled from radial ones, preserving their independent dynamical behavior. To show the need of anharmonic corrections, we thus carry out Monte Carlo-Markov chain analyses on eight neutron star sources of quasi-periodic oscillations. Afterwards, we first work out the outcomes of the harmonic approximation in Schwarzschild, Schwarzschild--de Sitter, and Kerr spacetimes. Subsequently, we apply the anharmonic corrections to them and use it to fit the aforementioned neutron star sources. Our findings indicate that the standard paradigm requires a systematic generalization to include the leading anharmonic corrections that appear physically necessary, although still insufficient to fully account for the observed phenomenology of quasi-periodic oscillations. Accordingly, we speculate on possible refinements of the relativistic precession model, showing the need to revise it at a fundamental level.

gr-qc↗