{"title":"Search for spatial coincidence between magnetars and IceCube detected neutrinos","authors":"Fathima Shifa M․ , Shantanu Desai","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2026.102234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2026.102234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We implement a search for spatial coincidence between high energy neutrinos detected by the IceCube neutrino detector (using the publicly available 10-year muon track data) and 37 magnetars, including six extragalactic sources. We use the unbinned maximum likelihood method for our analysis. We do not find any such spatial association between any of the known magnetars and IceCube-detected neutrinos. Therefore, we conclude that none of the known galactic or extragalactic magnetars contribute to the diffuse neutrino flux observed in IceCube. A stacked analysis also does not show a statistically significant excess.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102234"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gravitational lensing in a Kerr black hole within quantum Einstein gravity","authors":"Chen-Hao Xie, Yu Zhang, Bo-Li Liu, Peng-Fei Duan, Yu-Li Lou","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102191","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102191","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The detailed study of the strong gravitational lensing of a Kerr black hole within quantum Einstein gravity (QEG) is performed. We calculate the photon sphere, the deflection angle of light, and observables on the equatorial plane under the strong deflection limit in a vacuum. The presence of quantum effects reduces the radius of the photon sphere, the light deflection angle, the ratio of magnification, the positions of relativistic images, and the time delays on the same side of the lens. However, it increases the separations, and the time delays on the opposite side of the lens. By modeling M87* and Sgr A* as the Kerr black hole within QEG, we find that the time delays are more significant in M87*, while other observables are more pronounced in Sgr A*. Furthermore, we consider the influence of plasma on the gravitational lensing effect. Plasma causes an additional deflection of light, increasing the ratio of magnification, image positions and the time delays, but decreasing the separations. More importantly, we calculate the time delays under the strong deflection limit in the presence of plasma and find that they increase with higher plasma concentrations. Finally, we calculate the weak deflection angle in the weak deflection limit. Our research may be helpful for evaluating the observational imprints of quantum effects on light propagation, as well as the influence of plasma around black holes on gravitational lensing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102191"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Khan , Mohammad Alshammari , Othman Abdullah Almatroud , Z. Yousaf
{"title":"Quasi-homologous evolution of dynamical relativistic stars in nonmetricity-induced gravity","authors":"S. Khan , Mohammad Alshammari , Othman Abdullah Almatroud , Z. Yousaf","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102190","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102190","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of nonmetricity for modeling self-gravitational stellar fluids has become a compelling topic in relativistic astrophysics. In this respect, this study explores some viable non-static compact stellar configurations within the principles of linear and non-linear models of <span><math><mrow><mi>f</mi><mo>(</mo><mi>Q</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span> theory. In particular, we formulate anisotropic, self-gravitational models (both dissipative and non-dissipative) using the well-motivated relativistic constraints known as the complexity-free configuration, along with the quasi-homologous condition. The resulting compact star models reveal important outcomes for the physical characteristics and evolution of dynamical, compact models exhibiting anisotropic stresses and non-uniform density distributions. Our work provides a fresh perspective on the development of highly dense matter objects under non-Riemannian geometrical influences by exploring the interaction between anisotropy, nonmetricity, quasi-homologous symmetry, and the complexity factor.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102190"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A remedy of the trans-Planckian censorship problem with smooth slow-roll to power-law inflation transitions in scalar field theory","authors":"S.D. Odintsov , V.K. Oikonomou","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2026.102236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2026.102236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>It is known that if the standard slow-roll inflation is followed by a power-law inflationary regime, then the trans-Planckian modes may be safely be contained in the Hubble horizon and never exit it during inflation. In this work we investigate how to realize a smooth transition between a slow-roll and a power-law inflationary regime in the context of single scalar field inflation. As we show it is possible to realize such a smooth transition by generalizing the kinetic energy of single scalar field in the form <span><math><mrow><msup><mover><mi>ϕ</mi><mo>˙</mo></mover><mn>2</mn></msup><mo>=</mo><mi>β</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow><mi>V</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>ϕ</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span>, where <em>β</em>(<em>ϕ</em>) is some appropriate function of the scalar field. Using two distinct approaches we show that it is possible to realize a smooth transition from a slow-roll to a power-law inflationary regime, and the two approaches produce identical results regarding the slow-roll regime. Also we show that the slow-roll regime is quite short, about <em>N</em> ∼ 30 <em>e</em>-foldings, with the flatness and horizon problems being solved with the synergistic effect of the two inflationary patches. The slow-roll era is found to be compatible with the Atacama Cosmology Telescope data.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102236"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146077974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gravitational waves from type-I strings in a neutrino mass model","authors":"Adeela Afzal","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102204","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102204","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work, we propose a novel realization of <em>type-I</em> cosmic strings arising from the spontaneous breaking of an extended gauge symmetry <span><math><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>U</mi><msub><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>2</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow><mi>R</mi></msub><mo>×</mo><mi>U</mi><msub><mrow><mo>(</mo><mn>1</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow><mrow><mi>B</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>L</mi></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span> in the context of a low-scale split seesaw mechanism for neutrino mass generation. We demonstrate that the split seesaw framework, which explains the smallness of neutrino masses, naturally motivates a small scalar self-coupling <em>λ</em>. This intrinsically links the neutrino mass generation mechanism to the formation of <em>type-I</em> cosmic strings, where the gauge coupling dominates over the scalar self-coupling (<em>β</em> ≡ <em>λ</em>/(2<em>g</em><sup>2</sup>) < 1). We explore the cosmological implications of these strings, including their gravitational wave signatures that are testable in current and future experiments. Our findings establish a compelling and testable connection between neutrino mass generation and cosmic string phenomenology in an underexplored region of parameter space.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102204"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Agripino Sousa-Neto , Maria Aldinêz Dantas , Javier E. González , Joel C. Carvalho , Jailson Alcaniz
{"title":"Exploring cosmological constraints on galaxy formation time","authors":"Agripino Sousa-Neto , Maria Aldinêz Dantas , Javier E. González , Joel C. Carvalho , Jailson Alcaniz","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2026.102226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2026.102226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Universe consists of a variety of objects that formed at different epochs, leading to variations in the formation time which represents the time elapsed from the onset of structure formation until the formation of a particular object. In this work, we present two approaches to reconstruct and constrain the galaxy formation time <em>t<sub>f</sub></em>(<em>z</em>) using non-parametric reconstruction methods, such as Gaussian Processes (GP) and High-performance Symbolic Regression (SR). Our analysis uses age estimates of 32 old passive galaxies and the Pantheon+ type Ia supernova sample, and considers two different values of the Hubble constant <em>H</em><sub>0</sub> from the SH0ES and Planck Collaborations. When adopting the ΛCDM model and the GP reconstructions, A direct comparison of the reconstructions shows that the GP-based implementations are mutually consistent across the redshift range considered. The SR reconstructions also show good agreement with the GP results and exhibit a compatible redshift evolution of <em>t<sub>f</sub></em>(<em>z</em>), with full agreement at intermediate and high redshifts and only a mild deviation at very low redshifts. The results also show significant differences in the formation time from SH0ES and Planck values, highlighting the impact of the <em>H</em><sub>0</sub> tension on the cosmological estimates of <em>t<sub>f</sub></em>(<em>z</em>). Overall, this study suggests that galaxies have different evolutionary timescales and that <em>t<sub>f</sub></em> is not constant, with noticeable variations at lower redshifts (<em>z</em> ≲ 0.5).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102226"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of a complex scalar spectator field on baryon asymmetry within spontaneous baryogenesis","authors":"Mattia Dubbini , Orlando Luongo , Marco Muccino","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102187","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102187","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We extend the framework of spontaneous baryogenesis by investigating the generation of baryon asymmetry when the inflaton, <em>θ</em>, is minimally coupled with a complex spectator scalar field <em>ϕ</em>, as <em>θ</em><sup>2</sup>|<em>ϕ</em>|<sup>2</sup>. We also consider <em>ϕ</em> non-minimally coupled with the Ricci scalar curvature <em>R</em>, since in previous works a Yukawa-like interaction with gravity has already been shown to provide a significant contribution to the production of baryon asymmetry. We do not consider further interactions of the spectator field with the fermions of the Standard Model, considering it <em>de facto</em> 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 <em>θ, ϕ</em> 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. In particular, the coupling term <em>θ</em><sup>2</sup>|<em>ϕ</em>|<sup>2</sup> acts as an additional contribution to the square effective mass of the inflaton, increasing its decay amplitudes into fermion-antifermion pairs. Consequently, we expect this to affect the production of the net baryon asymmetry. 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 <em>ϕ</em> and <em>R</em> becomes noticeable in altering the overall baryon asymmetry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102187"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145738733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phase structure, thermal fluctuations and emission spectrum of nonlinear electrodynamics AdS black holes surrounded by cloud of strings","authors":"Faisal Javed , A. Eid , Abdelmalek Bouzenada , Arfa Waseem , N. Mustapha , Munisbek Akhmedov , Yunus Turaev , Ertan Güdekli","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102207","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102207","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the Joule–Thomson (J-T) expansion and thermodynamic properties of charged AdS black holes (BHs) coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics and embedded within a string cloud with particular emphasis on elucidating the profound role of thermal fluctuations. By formulating the equation of state and analyzing the J-T coefficient, we distinguish the heating and cooling phases of the BH and demonstrate how the mass, string cloud parameter and deviation parameter <em>κ</em> influence the transition between them. The isenthalpic curves in the <span><math><mrow><mi>T</mi><mo>−</mo><mi>P</mi></mrow></math></span> plane reveal that larger BH masses enhance cooling efficiency while nonlinear electrodynamics suppresses it. Incorporating logarithmic corrections due to thermal fluctuations, we study the corrected entropy and various thermodynamic potentials, including the Helmholtz free energy, internal energy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy and heat capacity. Evidence from the analysis suggests that quantum thermal corrections significantly alter the stability profile of AdS BHs. Configurations of small horizon radius exhibit negative heat capacity, thereby entering an unstable regime, whereas sufficiently large BHs undergo a transition to positive capacity, restoring stability and equilibrium. The radiative spectrum, moreover, is characterized by a pronounced peak at intermediate frequencies, echoing the profile of Hawking emission yet distinctly modified through nonlinear electrodynamic contributions. Collectively, these insights establish that nonlinear electrodynamics, the presence of a string cloud, and quantum fluctuations are fundamental determinants in shaping the phase structure, equilibrium properties, and radiative dynamics of AdS BHs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102207"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145926345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Power spectrum emulators from neural networks and tree-based methods","authors":"Andrei Lazanu","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102186","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102186","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We use two subsets of 2000 and 1000 <span>Quijote</span> simulations to build two power spectrum emulators, allowing for fast computations of the non-linear matter power spectrum. The first emulator is built in terms of seven cosmological parameters: the matter and baryon fraction of the energy density of the Universe Ω<sub><em>m</em></sub> and Ω<sub><em>b</em></sub>, the reduced Hubble constant <em>h</em>, the scalar spectral index <em>n<sub>s</sub></em>, the amplitude of matter density fluctuations <em>σ</em><sub>8</sub>, the total neutrino mass <em>M<sub>ν</sub></em> and the dark energy equation of state parameter <em>w</em>, on scales <span><math><mrow><mi>k</mi><mo>∈</mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mn>0.015</mn><mo>,</mo><mn>1.8</mn><mo>]</mo></mrow><mspace></mspace><mi>h</mi><mo>/</mo><mrow><mrow><mi>M</mi></mrow><mi>p</mi><msup><mi>c</mi><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></mrow></math></span>. The power spectra can be directly determined at redshifts 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3, while for intermediate redshifts these can be interpolated. The second emulator is based on five cosmological parameters, Ω<sub><em>m</em></sub>, <em>h, n<sub>s</sub>, σ</em><sub>8</sub> and the amplitude of equilateral non-Gaussianity <span><math><msubsup><mi>f</mi><mrow><mrow><mi>N</mi></mrow><mi>L</mi></mrow><mrow><mrow><mi>e</mi></mrow><mi>q</mi></mrow></msubsup></math></span>, at redshifts 0, 0.503, 0.733, 0.997 for <span><math><mrow><mi>k</mi><mo>∈</mo><mrow><mo>[</mo><mn>0.015</mn><mo>,</mo><mn>1.8</mn><mo>]</mo></mrow><mspace></mspace><mi>h</mi><mo>/</mo><mrow><mrow><mi>M</mi></mrow><mi>p</mi><msup><mi>c</mi><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></mrow></math></span>. The emulators are built on machine learning techniques. In both cases we have investigated both neural networks and tree-based methods and we have shown that the best accuracy is obtained for a neural network with two hidden layers. Both emulators achieve a root-mean-squared relative error of less then 5 % for all the redshifts considered on the scales discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102186"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative analysis of holographic dark energy models in f(R, T2) gravity","authors":"M. Sharif , M. Zeeshan Gul , I. Hashim","doi":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dark.2025.102175","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the Rényi Holographic dark energy, Sharma-Mittal Holographic dark energy and Generalized Holographic dark energy models in the framework of <em>f</em>(<em>R, T</em><sup>2</sup>) gravity, where <em>R</em> denotes the Ricci scalar and <em>T</em><sup>2</sup> represents the self-contraction of the stress-energy tensor. For this purpose we employed two horizons as infrared cut-offs, such as Hubble horizon and Ricci horizon. The analysis is conducted for a non-interacting scenario in a spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe. By considering a specific form of this modified gravity, we reconstruct the corresponding gravitational models based on these selected dark energy formulations. Additionally, a stability analysis is performed for all cases and the evolution of the equation of state parameter is examined. Our finding indicates that the reconstructed <em>f</em>(<em>R, T</em><sup>2</sup>) models effectively describe both the phantom and quintessence phases of cosmic evolution, aligning with the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. This study highlights the deep interconnections between holographic dark energy models and modified gravity theories, offering valuable insights into the large scale dynamics of the cosmos.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48774,"journal":{"name":"Physics of the Dark Universe","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 102175"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145665512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}