We discuss recent results on using boson stars with a solitonic potential as models of ultracompact objects, which could mimic black holes in such phenomenology as VLBI images and gravitational wave signals.
The study of regular black holes and black hole mimickers as alternatives to standard black holes has recently gained significant attention, driven both by the need to extend general relativity to describe black hole interiors, and by recent advances in observational technologies.
Degrees: Msc in Theoretical Physics, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, 2024; BSC in Physics, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Coimbra, 2021
We examine the images and shadows of thin accretion disks around rotating hairy black holes characterized by two non-trivial, time-periodic scalar fields, whose target space possesses non-flat Gaussian curvature.
Zeus Sales Moreira successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis on March 31st 2025, which was advised by C. Herdeiro. The committee was composed by Profs. Darío Nunez, Eugen Radu, Alberto Saa and Gonzalmo Olmo and unanimously praised the excellent work of the candidate. Congratulations Zeus and all the best for the future!
Nonlinear effects in black hole perturbation theory may be important for describing a black hole ringdown, as suggested by recent works. I will describe a new class of "quadratic" quasi-normal modes at second order in perturbation theory. Remarkably, not only their frequency but also their amplitude is completely determined by the linear modes themselves.
Our group coordinated the "Numerical Relativity and High Energy Physics" IRSES network (2012-2015). Here is a list of the global network meetings organized:
