A stringent new limit on bursts from nearby galaxies

If typical gamma-ray bursts [GRBs] have X-ray counterparts similar to those detected byGinga, then sensitive focusing X-ray telescopes will be able to detect GRBs three orders of magnitude fainter than the detection limit of the Burst and Transient Spectroscopy Experiment [BATSE]. If a substantial portion of the burst population detected byBATSE originates in a Galactic halo at distances greater than or equal to 150 kpc, existing X-ray telescopes will be able to detect GRBs in external galaxies out to a distance of at least 4.5 Mpc. As reported in Hamilton, Gotthelf and Helfand (1995) the Imaging Proportional counter [IPC] on board theEINSTEIN Observatory detected 42 transient events with pointlike spatial characteristics and timescales of less than 10 seconds. These events are distributed isotropically on the sky; in particular, they are not concentrated in the directions of nearby external galaxies. For halo models of theBATSE bursts with radii of 150 kpc or greater, we would expect to see several burst events in observations pointed towards nearby galaxies. We see none. We therefore conclude that if theGinga detections are representative of the population of GRBs sampled byBATSE, GRBs cannot originate in a Galactic halo population with limiting radii between 150 kpc and 400 kpc. Inasmuch as halos with limiting radii outside of this range have been excluded by theBATSE isotropy measurements, our result indicates that all halo models are excluded. This result is independent of whether the flashes we do detect have an astronomical origin.     

Searching for very-high-energy gamma-ray bursts from evaporating primordial black holes

Temporal and energy characteristics of the very-high-energy gamma-ray bursts from evaporating primordial black holes have been calculated by assuming that the photospheric and chromospheric effects are negligible. The technique of searching for such bursts on shower arrays is described. We show that the burst time profile and the array dead time should be taken into account to interpret experimental data. Based on data from the Andyrchy array of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory (Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences), we have obtained an upper limit on the number density of evaporating primordial black holes in a local region of space with a scale size of ～10^?3 pc. Comparison with the results of previous experiments is made.     

A mass ratio limit for primordial black holes

We augment our scenario for the formation of astronomical objects from macroscopic superstrings by the assumption that the central matter keeps its identity in the fragmentation. From the condition that the angular momentum per mass squared of this matter should be less than the Kerr limit G/c, we obtain upper limits for the ratio of the mass of central black holes M(BH) to the mass M of the host object. This limit is M(BH)/M ≈ 0.001, and, expressed in observed quantities, approximately M(BH)/M ≈ σ²/(v · c) where σ is the r.m.s. velocity, v the rotational velocity and c the velocity of light. The valuesM(BH) agree with the observed behaviour both in order of magnitude and in the variation with velocity dispersion. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The search for GRB from primordial black hole evaporation

The search for high energy ray bursts (GRBs) from primordial black holes (PBHs) has continued for the past 20 years. We discuss a very interesting group of GRBs of very short time duration and an increasing hard spectrum from the published BATSE catalog. We point out that the trend, i.e. anti-correlation of hardness ratio vs. GRB duration, would be expected if some of the short GRBs came from black holes evaporation. We discuss the possibility that the onset of the quark-gluon plasma can give rise to such GRB from PBH evaporation.     

Gravitational wave bursts from collisions of primordial black holes in clusters

The rate of gravitational wave bursts from the mergers of massive primordial black holes in clusters is calculated. Such clusters of black holes can be formed through phase transitions in the early Universe. The central black holes in clusters can serve as the embryos of supermassive black holes in galactic nuclei. The expected burst detection rate by the LISA gravitational wave detector is estimated.     

An upper limit on the X-ray luminosity of the microlensing black hole OGLE-1999-BUL-32

Having analyzed the 1999 scanning observations of the Galactic-center region with the PCA spectrometer onboard the RXTE observatory, we obtained upper limits on the flux from the microlensing black hole OGLE-1999-BUL-32 in 1999–2000. We show that the X-ray luminosity of this black hole did not exceed L _x ? 3 × 10³³(d/1kpc)² erg s^?1. Near the maximum amplification of the background star (on June 6, 1999), the upper limit was L _x ? 7 × 10³³(d/1kpc)² erg s^?1.     

The mass-angular momentum-diagram and the black hole limit

The ratio angular momentum/mass squared of a wide variety of astronomical objects lies about 10³ times above the valueG/c=2.2×10^?18 cm² g^?1 s^?1 for extremely fast rotating black holes.     

Role of primordial black holes in the direct collapse scenario of supermassive black hole formation at high redshifts

In this paper, we explore the possibility of accreting primordial black holes as the source of heating for the collapsing gas in the context of the direct collapse black hole scenario for the formation of super-massive black holes (SMBHs) at high redshifts, \(z\sim \) 6–7. One of the essential requirements for the direct collapse model to work is to maintain the temperature of the in-falling gas at \(\approx \)10\(^4\) K. We show that even under the existing abundance limits, the primordial black holes of masses \(\gtrsim \)10\(^{-2}M_\odot \), can heat the collapsing gas to an extent that the \(\mathrm{H}_2\) formation is inhibited. The collapsing gas can maintain its temperature at \(10^4\) K till the gas reaches a critical density \(n_{{c}} \,{\approx }\, 10^3~\hbox {cm}^{-3}\), at which the roto-vibrational states of \(\mathrm{H}_2\) approaches local thermodynamic equilibrium and \(\mathrm{H}_2\) cooling becomes inefficient. In the absence of \(\mathrm{H}_2\) cooling, the temperature of the collapsing gas stays at \(\approx \)10\(^4\) K even as it collapses further. We discuss scenarios of subsequent angular momentum removal and the route to find collapse through either a supermassive star or a supermassive disk.     

Hawking radiation from a dielectric black hole

Using the new global embedding approach and analytical continuation method of wave function we discuss Hawking radiation of acoustic black holes. Unruh/Hawking temperature of the dielectric black hole is derived. The corresponding relation among these methods that calculate Hawking radiation of dielectric black hole is established. Our result shows that these methods are equivalent.     

Towards a new standard model for black hole accretion

We briefly review recent developments in black hole accretion disk theory, emphasizing the vital role played by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stresses in transporting angular momentum. The apparent universality of accretion-related outflow phenomena is a strong indicator that large-scale MHD torques facilitate vertical transport of angular momentum. This leads to an enhanced overall rate of angular momentum transport and allows accretion of matter to proceed at an interesting rate. Furthermore, we argue that when vertical transport is important, the radial structure of the accretion disk is modified at small radii and this affects the disk emission spectrum. We present a simple model demonstrating how energetic, magnetically-driven outflows modify the emergent disk emission spectrum with respect to that predicted by standard accretion disk theory. A comparison of the predicted spectra against observations of quasar spectral energy distributions suggests that mass accretion rates inferred using the standard disk model may be severely underestimated.     

An upper limit on gas production from 3200 Phaethon

Asteroid 3200 Phaethon resembles a comet in some ways, including a highly-eccentric orbit (e∼0.89) and a strong associated meteor shower (the Geminids). Yet this object has never been observed to exhibit any cometary activity, i.e., gas production. We observed 3200 Phaethon with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on two occasions, once while it was near its closest approach to Earth as it neared perihelion, and another while it was further from Earth post-perihelion. Observations of the J=2→1 and J=3→2 rotational transitions of ¹²CO, typically strong lines in comets and indicative of gas production, yielded no detection. Upper limits on the ¹²CO production of 1.8×¹⁰²⁸ and for Phaethon were determined on these two occasions.     

Transient magnetic disturbances from solar flare explosions and associated pulsations of type IV radio bursts

We have proposed a mechanism of arise of transient magnetic disturbances from solar flare explosion which can lead to understanding of observed pulsations of type IV radio emission with period of 0.3–3.0 s. According to the proposed mechanism the pulsation activity of the radio emission results from MHD waves accompanying the expanding diamagnetic plasma produced by the explosive flare material.