Showing papers on "Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker metric published in 2011"

Accelerating universe from F ( T ) gravity

Abstract: It is shown that the acceleration of the universe can be understood by considering a F(T) gravity models. For these F(T) gravity models, a variant of the accelerating cosmology reconstruction program is developed. Some explicit examples of F(T) are reconstructed from the background FRW expansion history.

Massive Cosmologies

Abstract: We explore the cosmological solutions of a recently proposed extension of General Relativity with a Lorentz-invariant mass term We show that the same constraint that removes the Boulware-Deser ghost in this theory also prohibits the existence of homogeneous and isotropic cosmological solutions Nevertheless, within domains of the size of inverse graviton mass we find approximately homogeneous and isotropic solutions that can well describe the past and present of the Universe At energy densities above a certain crossover value, these solutions approximate the standard FRW evolution with great accuracy As the Universe evolves and density drops below the crossover value the inhomogeneities become more and more pronounced In the low density regime each domain of the size of the inverse graviton mass has essentially non-FRW cosmology This scenario imposes an upper bound on the graviton mass, which we roughly estimate to be an order of magnitude below the present-day value of the Hubble parameter The bound becomes especially restrictive if one utilizes an exact self-accelerated solution that this theory offers Although the above are robust predictions of massive gravity with an explicit mass term, we point out that if the mass parameter emerges from some additional scalar field condensation, the constraint no longer forbids the homogeneous and isotropic cosmologies In the latter case, there will exist an extra light scalar field at cosmological scales, which is screened by the Vainshtein mechanism at shorter distances

Open FRW universes and self-acceleration from nonlinear massive gravity

Abstract: In the context of a recently proposed nonlinear massive gravity with Lorentz-invariant mass terms, we investigate open Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universes driven by arbitrary matter source. While the flat FRW solutions were recently shown to be absent, the proof does not extend to the open universes. We find three independent branches of solutions to the equations of motion for the Stuckelberg scalars. One of the branches does not allow any nontrivial FRW cosmologies, as in the previous no-go result. On the other hand, both of the other two branches allow general open FRW universes governed by the Friedmann equation with the matter source, the standard curvature term and an effective cosmological constant Λ± = c±mg2. Here, mg is the graviton mass, + and - represent the two branches, and c± are constants determined by the two dimensionless parameters of the theory. Since an open FRW universe with a sufficiently small curvature constant can approximate a flat FRW universe but there is no exactly flat FRW solution, the theory exhibits a discontinuity at the flat FRW limit.

Inhomogeneous cosmological models: exact solutions and their applications

Abstract: Recently, inhomogeneous generalizations of the Friedmann?Lema?tre?Robertson?Walker (FLRW) cosmological models have gained interest in the astrophysical community and are more often employed to study cosmological phenomena. However, in many papers the inhomogeneous cosmological models are treated as an alternative to the FLRW models. In fact, they are not an alternative, but an exact perturbation of the latter, and are gradually becoming a necessity in modern cosmology. The assumption of homogeneity is just a first approximation introduced to simplify equations. So far this assumption is commonly believed to have worked well, but future and more precise observations will not be properly analysed unless inhomogeneities are taken into account. This paper reviews recent developments in the field and shows the importance of an inhomogeneous framework in the analysis of cosmological observations.

Cosmological Solutions in Bimetric Gravity and their Observational Tests

Abstract: We obtain the general cosmological evolution equations for a classically consistent theory of bimetric gravity. Their analytic solutions are demonstrated to generically allow for a cosmic evolution starting out from a matter dominated FLRW universe while relaxing towards a de Sitter (anti-de Sitter) phase at late cosmic time. In particular, we examine a subclass of models which contain solutions that are able to reproduce the expansion history of the cosmic concordance model inspite of the nonlinear couplings of the two metrics. This is demonstrated explicitly by fitting these models to observational data from Type Ia supernovae, Cosmic Microwave Background and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations.

Open FRW universes and self-acceleration from nonlinear massive gravity

Abstract: In the context of a recently proposed nonlinear massive gravity with Lorentz-invariant mass terms, we investigate open Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universes driven by arbitrary matter source. While the flat FRW solutions were recently shown to be absent, the proof does not extend to the open universes. We find three independent branches of solutions to the equations of motion for the Stuckelberg scalars. One of the branches does not allow any nontrivial FRW cosmologies, as in the previous no-go result. On the other hand, both of the other two branches allow general open FRW universes governed by the Friedmann equation with the matter source, the standard curvature term and an effective cosmological constant $\Lambda_{\pm}=c_{\pm}m_g^2$. Here, $m_g$ is the graviton mass, +and - represent the two branches, and $c_{\pm}$ are constants determined by the two dimensionless parameters of the theory. Since an open FRW universe with a sufficiently small curvature constant can approximate a flat FRW universe but there is no exactly flat FRW solution, the theory exhibits a discontinuity at the flat FRW limit.

Conditions for the cosmological viability of the most general scalar-tensor theories and their applications to extended Galileon dark energy models

Abstract: In the Horndeski's most general scalar-tensor theories with second-order field equations, we derive the conditions for the avoidance of ghosts and Laplacian instabilities associated with scalar, tensor, and vector perturbations in the presence of two perfect fluids on the flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) background. Our general results are useful for the construction of theoretically consistent models of dark energy. We apply our formulas to extended Galileon models in which a tracker solution with an equation of state smaller than -1 is present. We clarify the allowed parameter space in which the ghosts and Laplacian instabilities are absent and we numerically confirm that such models are indeed cosmologically viable.

Toward physical cosmology: focus on inhomogeneous geometry and its non-perturbative effects

Abstract: We outline the key-steps towards the construction of a physical, fully relativistic cosmology. The influence of inhomogeneities on the effective evolution history of the Universe is encoded in backreaction terms and expressed through spatially averaged geometrical invariants. These are absent and potential candidates for the missing dark sources in the standard model. Since they can be interpreted as energies of an emerging scalar field (the morphon), we are in the position to propose a strategy of how phenomenological scalar field models for Dark Energy, Dark Matter and Inflation, that are usually added as fundamental sources to a homogeneous-geometry (FLRW) cosmology, can be potentially traced back to inhomogeneous geometrical properties of space and its embedding into spacetime. We lay down a line of arguments that is - thus far only qualitatively - conclusive, and we address open problems of quantitative nature, related to the interpretation of observations. We discuss within a covariant framework (i) the foliation problem and invariant definitions of backreaction effects ; (ii) the background problem and the notion of an effective cosmology ; (iii) generalizations of the cosmological principle and generalizations of the cosmological equations ; (iv) dark energies as energies of an effective scalar field ; (v) the global gravitational instability of the standard model and basins of attraction for effective states ; (vi) multiscale cosmological models and volume acceleration ; (vii) effective metrics and strategies for effective distance measurements on the light cone, including observational predictions ; (viii) examples of non-perturbative models including explicit backreaction models for the LTB solution, extrapolations of the relativistic Lagrangian perturbation theory, and scalar metric inhomogeneities. The role of scalar metric perturbations is critically examined and embedded into the non-perturbative framework.

FRW Cosmology in Ghost Free Massive Gravity

Abstract: We study FRW homogeneous cosmological solutions in the recently found ghost free massive gravity. In previous works it was shown that when the additional extra metric, needed to generate the mass term, is taken as non-dynamical and flat, no homogeneous FRW cosmology exists. We show that, when the additional metric is a dynamical field, a perfectly safe FRW universe exists. FRW solutions fall in two branches. In the first branch the massive deformation is equivalent to an effectively generated cosmological constant whose scale is determined by the graviton mass. The second branch is quite rich: we have FRW cosmology in the presence of a "gravitational" fluid. The control parameter xi is the ratio of the two conformal factors. When xi is large, generically the cosmological evolution greatly differs from GR at the early time. In the small xi region, the evolution is similar to GR and the universe flows at late time toward an attractor represented by a dS phase.

Observational constraints on inhomogeneous cosmological models without dark energy

Abstract: It has been proposed that the observed dark energy can be explained away by the effect of large-scale nonlinear inhomogeneities. In the present paper we discuss how observations constrain cosmological models featuring large voids. We start by considering Copernican models, in which the observer is not occupying a special position and homogeneity is preserved on a very large scale. We show how these models, at least in their current realizations, are constrained to give small, but perhaps not negligible in certain contexts, corrections to the cosmological observables. We then examine non-Copernican models, in which the observer is close to the center of a very large void. These models can give large corrections to the observables which mimic an accelerated FLRW model. We carefully discuss the main observables and tests able to exclude them.

Separate universes do not constrain primordial black hole formation

Abstract: Carr and Hawking showed that the proper size of a spherical overdense region surrounded by a flat Friedmann Robertson Walker (FRW) universe cannot be arbitrarily large as otherwise the region would close up on itself and become a separate universe. From this result, they derived a condition connecting size and density of the overdense region ensuring that it is part of our universe. Carr used this condition to obtain an upper bound for the density fluctuation amplitude with the property that for smaller amplitudes the formation of a primordial black hole is possible, while larger ones indicate a separate universe. In contrast, we find that the appearance of a maximum is not a consequence of avoiding separate universes but arises naturally from the geometry of the chosen slicing. Using instead of density a volume fluctuation variable reveals that a fluctuation is a separate universe if this variable diverges on superhorizon scales. Hence, Carr's and Hawking's condition does not pose a physical constraint on density fluctuations. The dynamics of primordial black hole formation with an initial curvature fluctuation amplitude larger than the one corresponding to the maximum density fluctuation amplitude was previously not considered in detail and so we compare it to the well-known case where the amplitude is smaller by presenting embedding and conformal diagrams of both types in dust spacetimes.

Hubble expansion and structure formation in the "running FLRW model" of the cosmic evolution

Abstract: A new class of FLRW cosmological models with time-evolving fundamental parameters should emerge naturally from a description of the expansion of the universe based on the first principles of quantum field theory and string theory. Within this general paradigm, one expects that both the gravitational Newton's coupling, G, and the cosmological term, Lambda, should not be strictly constant but appear rather as smooth functions of the Hubble rate. This scenario ("running FLRW model") predicts, in a natural way, the existence of dynamical dark energy without invoking the participation of extraneous scalar fields. In this paper, we perform a detailed study of these models in the light of the latest cosmological data, which serves to illustrate the phenomenological viability of the new dark energy paradigm as a serious alternative to the traditional scalar field approaches. By performing a joint likelihood analysis of the recent SNIa data, the CMB shift parameter, and the BAOs traced by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we put tight constraints on the main cosmological parameters. Furthermore, we derive the theoretically predicted dark-matter halo mass function and the corresponding redshift distribution of cluster-size halos for the "running" models studied. Despite the fact that these models closely reproduce the standard LCDM Hubble expansion, their normalization of the perturbation's power-spectrum varies, imposing, in many cases, a significantly different cluster-size halo redshift distribution. This fact indicates that it should be relatively easy to distinguish between the "running" models and the LCDM cosmology using realistic future X-ray and Sunyaev-Zeldovich cluster surveys.

An Interacting Two-Fluid Scenario for Dark Energy in an FRW Universe

Abstract: We study the evolution of the dark energy parameter within the scope of a spatially homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann—Robertson—Walker (FRW) model filled with barotropic fluid and dark energy. To obtain the deterministic solution we choose the scale factor , which yields a time-dependent deceleration parameter (DP). In doing so, we consider the case minimally coupled with dark energy to the perfect fluid as well as direct interaction with it.

A note on Friedmann equation of FRW universe in deformed Horava-Lifshitz gravity from entropic force

Abstract: With entropic interpretation of gravity proposed by Verlinde, we obtain the Friedmann equation of the Friedmann—Robertson—Walker universe for the deformed Hořava—Lifshitz gravity. It is shown that, when the parameter of Hořava—Lifshitz gravity ω → ∞, the modified Friedmann equation will go back to the one in Einstein gravity. This results may imply that the entropic interpretation of gravity is effective for the deformed Hořava—Lifshitz gravity.

Reconstructing f( R) modified gravity from ordinary and entropy-corrected versions of the holographic and new agegraphic dark energy models

Abstract: Here, we peruse cosmological usage of the most promising candidates of dark energy in the framework of f(R) theory. We reconstruct the different f(R) modified gravity models in the spatially flat FRW universe according to the ordinary and entropy-corrected versions of the holographic and new agegraphic dark energy models, which describe accelerated expansion of the universe. We also obtain the equation of state parameter of the corresponding f(R)-gravity models. We conclude that the holographic and new agegraphic f(R)-gravity models can behave like phantom or quintessence models. Whereas the equation of state parameter of the entropy-corrected models can transit from quintessence state to phantom regime as indicated by recent observations.

Cosmology Without Averaging

Abstract: We construct cosmological models consisting of large numbers of identical, regularly spaced masses. These models do not rely on any averaging procedures, or on the existence of a global Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) background. They are solutions of Einstein's equations, up to higher order corrections in a perturbative expansion, and have large-scale dynamics that are well modelled by the Friedmann equation. We find that the existence of arbitrarily large density contrasts does not change either the magnitude or scale of the large-scale expansion, at least when masses are regularly arranged, and up to the prescribed level of accuracy. We also find that while the local spacetime geometry inside each cell can be described as linearly perturbed FRW, one could argue that a more natural description is that of perturbed Minkowski space (in which case the scalar perturbations are simply Newtonian potentials). We expect these models to be of use for understanding and testing ideas about averaging in cosmology, as well as clarifying the relationship between global cosmological dynamics and the static spacetimes associated with isolated masses.

Screening of cosmological constant in non-local cosmology

Abstract: We consider a model of non-local gravity with a large bare cosmological constant, $\Lambda$, and study its cosmological solutions. The model is characterized by a function $f(\psi)=f_0 e^{\alpha\psi}$ where $\psi=\Box^{-1}R$ and $\alpha$ is a real dimensionless parameter. In the absence of matter, we find an expanding universe solution $a\propto t^n$ with $n \alpha_{cr}\approx0.17$. This is quite a weak condition. We argue that the solution is stable against the includion of matter fields. Thus our solution opens up new possibilities for solution to the cosmological constant problem.

Correspondence between DBI-essence and modified Chaplygin gas and the generalized second law of thermodynamics

Abstract: In this work, we have considered the DBI-essence dark energy model in FRW Universe. We have found the exact solutions of potential, warped brane tension and DBI scalar field. We also calculate the statefinder parameters for our model that make it distinguishable among numerous dark energy models. Moreover, we establish correspondence between DBI-essence and modified Chaplygin gas (MCG) and hence reconstruct the potential and warped brane tension. By this reconstruction, we observe that DBI scalar field and potential increase and warped brane tension decreases during evolution of the Universe. Finally, we investigate the validity of the generalized second law (GSL) of thermodynamics in the presence of DBI-essence and modified Chaplygin gas. It is observed that the GSL breaks down for DBI-essence model but GSL always satisfied for MCG model.

FRW Cosmology with Variable G and Λ

Abstract: We have considered a cosmological model of the FRW universe with variable G and Λ. The solutions have been obtained for flat model with particular form of cosmological constant. The cosmological parameters have also been obtained for dust, radiation and stiff matter. The statefinder parameters are analyzed and have shown that these depends only on w and e. Further the lookback time, proper distance, luminosity distance and angular diameter distance have also been calculated for our model.

Non-minimal kinetic coupling and the phenomenology of dark energy

Abstract: We study a model of scalar field with a general non-minimal kinetic coupling to itself and to the curvature. The cosmological dynamics of this model and the issue of accelerated expansion are analyzed. Solutions giving rise to power-law expansion have been found. By constraining the potential of the model, we obtained a variety of solutions corresponding to phenomenologically acceptable models of dark energy, like the ?CDM model, variable cosmological constant model VCC, FRW with two-dimensional topological defects and FRW with phantom dark energy, showing that this model with the appropriate potential in each case can describe a rich variety of dynamical scenarios.

Noether gauge symmetry for $f(R)$ gravity in Palatini formalism

Abstract: In this study, we consider a flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universe in the context of Palatini $f(R)$ theory of gravity. Using the dynamical equivalence between $f(R)$ gravity and scalar-tensor theories, we construct a point Lagrangian in the flat FRW spacetime. Applying {\em Noether gauge symmetry approach} for this $f(R)$ Lagrangian we find out the form of $f(R)$ and the exact solution for cosmic scale factor. It is shown that the resulting form of $f(R)$ yield a power-law expansion for the scale factor of the universe.

Role of deceleration parameter and interacting dark energy in singularity avoidance

Abstract: A class of non-singular bouncing FRW models are obtained by constraining the deceleration parameter in the presence of an interacting dark energy represented by a time-varying cosmological constant. The models being geometrically closed, initially accelerate for a certain period of time and decelerate thereafter and are also free from the entropy and cosmological constant problems. Taking a constant of integration equal to zero one particular model is discussed in some detail and the variation of different cosmological parameters are shown graphically for specific values of the parameters of the model. For some specific choice of the parameters of the model the ever expanding models of Ozer & Taha and Abdel-Rahman and the decelerating models of Berman and also the Einstein de-Sitter model may be obtained as special cases of this particular model.

Redshift and distances in a {\Lambda}CDM cosmology with non-linear inhomogeneities

Abstract: Motivated by the dawn of precision cosmology and the wealth of forthcoming high precision and volume galaxy surveys, in this paper we study the effects of inhomogeneities on light propagation in a flat \Lambda CDM background. To this end we use exact solutions of Einstein's equations (Meures & Bruni 2011) where, starting from small fluctuations, inhomogeneities arise from a standard growing mode and become non-linear. While the matter distribution in these models is necessarily idealised, there is still enough freedom to assume an arbitrary initial density profile along the line of sight. We can therefore model over-densities and voids of various sizes and distributions, e.g. single harmonic sinusoidal modes, coupled modes, and more general distributions in a \Lambda CDM background. Our models allow for an exact treatment of the light propagation problem, so that the results are unaffected by approximations and unambiguous. Along lines of sight with density inhomogeneities which average out on scales less than the Hubble radius, we find the distance redshift relation to diverge negligibly from the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) result. On the contrary, if we observe along lines of sight which do not have the same average density as the background, we find large deviations from the FLRW distance redshift relation. Hence, a possibly large systematic might be introduced into the analysis of cosmological observations, e.g. supernovae, if we observe along lines of sight which are typically more or less dense than the average density of the Universe. In turn, this could lead to wrong parameter estimation: even if the Cosmological Principle is valid, the identification of the true FLRW background in an inhomogeneous universe maybe more difficult than usually assumed.

The generalized second law of gravitational thermodynamics on the apparent and event horizons in FRW cosmology

Abstract: We investigate the validity of the generalized second law of gravitational thermodynamics on the apparent and event horizons in a non-flat FRW universe containing the interacting dark energy with dark matter. We show that for the dynamical apparent horizon, the generalized second law is always satisfied throughout the history of the universe for any spatial curvature and it is independent of the equation of state parameter of the interacting dark energy model. Whereas for the cosmological event horizon, the validity of the generalized second law depends on the equation of state parameter of the model.

Cosmic acceleration from modified gravity with Palatini formalism

Abstract: We study new FRW type cosmological models of modified gravity treated on the background of Palatini approach. These models are generalization of Einstein gravity by the presence of a scalar field non-minimally coupled to the curvature. The models employ Starobinsky's term in the Lagrangian and dust matter. Therefore, as a by-product, an exhausted cosmological analysis of general relativity amended by quadratic term is presented. We investigate dynamics of our models, confront them with the currently available astrophysical data as well as against LCDM model. We have used the dynamical system methods in order to investigate dynamics of the models. It reveals the presence of a final sudden singularity. Fitting free parameters we have demonstrated by statistical analysis that this class of models is in a very good agreement with the data (including CMB measurements) as well as with the standard LCDM model predictions. One has to use statefinder diagnostic in order to discriminate among them. Therefore Bayesian methods of model selection have been employed in order to indicate preferred model. Only in the light of CMB data the concordance model remains invincible.