On the thermal boundary condition of the wave function of the Universe

We broaden the domain of application of the recently proposed thermal boundary condition of the wave function of the Universe, which has been suggested as the basis of a dynamical selection principle on the landscape of string solutions.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, contribution to the proceedings of MG11, 23-29 July 2006, Berlin, German

Resolution of type IV singularities in quantum cosmology

We discuss the fate of classical type IV singularities in quantum cosmology. The framework is Wheeler-DeWitt quantization applied to homogeneous and isotropic universes with a perfect fluid described by a generalized Chaplygin gas. Such a fluid can be dynamically realized by a scalar field. We treat the cases of a standard scalar field with positive kinetic energy and of a scalar field with negative energy (phantom field). We first present the classical solutions. We then discuss in detail the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for these models. We are able to give analytic solutions for a special case and to draw conclusions for the general case. Adopting the criterion that singularities are avoided if the wave function vanishes in the region of the classical singularity, we find that type IV singularities are avoided only for particular solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation. We compare this result with earlier results found for other types of singularities.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, clarifications include

Can f(R) gravity contribute to (dark) radiation?

We discuss the possibility that suitable modifications of gravity could account for some amount of the radiation we observe today, in addition to the possibility of explaining the present speed up of the universe. We start introducing and reviewing cosmological reconstruction methods for metric $f(R)$ theories of gravity that can be considered as one of the straightforward modifications of Einstein's gravity as soon as $f(R)\neq R$. We then take into account two possible $f(R)$ models which could give rise to (dark) radiation. Constraints on the models are found by using the Planck Collaboration 2015 data within a cosmographic approach and by obtaining the matter power spectrum of those models. The conclusion is that $f(R)$ gravity can only contribute minimally to the (dark) radiation to avoid departures from the observed matter power spectrum at the smallest scales (of the order of $0.01$Mpc$^{-1}$), i.e., precisely those scales that exited the horizon at the radiation dominated epoch. This result could strongly contribute to select reliable $f(R)$ models.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures, RevTex4. Discussion improved. Version accepted in JCA

The spectrum of gravitational waves in an f(R) model with a bounce

We present an inflationary model preceded by a bounce in a metric $f(R)$ theory. In this model, modified gravity affects only the early stages of the universe. We analyse the predicted spectrum of the gravitational waves in this scenario using the method of the Bogoliubov coefficients. We show that there are distinctive (oscillatory) signals on the spectrum for very low frequencies; i.e., corresponding to modes that are currently entering the horizon.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Contribution to the Spanish Relativity Meeting in Portugal 2012 (ERE2012), Guimaraes, Portuga

Tradeoff between Smoother and Sooner "Little Rip"

There exists dark energy models that predict the occurrence of "little rip". At the point of little rip the Hubble rate and its cosmic time derivative approach infinity, which is quite similar to the big rip singularity except that the former happens at infinite future while the latter at a finite cosmic time; both events happen in the future and at high energies. In the case of the big rip, a combination of ultra-violet and infra-red effects can smooth its doomsday. We therefore wonder if the little rip can also be smoothed in a similar way. We address the ultra-violet and infra-red effects in general relativity through a brane-world model with a Gauss-Bonnet term in the bulk and an induced gravity term on the brane. We find that the little rip is transformed in this case into a sudden singularity, or a "big brake". Even though the big brake is smoother than the little rip in that the Hubble rate is finite at the event, the trade-off is that it takes place sooner, at a finite cosmic time. In our estimate, the big brake would happen at roughly 1300Gyr.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. RevTex4-1. Title modified and discussion expanded. Version accepted in European Physical Journal

Modified Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld Gravity with a Trace Term

In this paper, a modified Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld (EiBI) theory with a pure trace term $g_{\mu\nu}R$ being added to the determinantal action is analysed from a cosmological point of view. It corresponds to the most general action constructed from a rank two tensor that contains up to first order terms in curvature. This term can equally be seen as a conformal factor multiplying the metric $g_{\mu\nu}$. This very interesting type of amendment has not been considered within the Palatini formalism despite the large amount of works on the Born-Infeld-inspired theory of gravity. This model can provide smooth bouncing solutions which were not allowed in the EiBI model for the same EiBI coupling. Most interestingly, for a radiation filled universe there are some regions of the parameter space that can naturally lead to a de Sitter inflationary stage without the need of any exotic matter field. Finally, in this model we discover a new type of cosmic "quasi-sudden" singularity, where the cosmic time derivative of the Hubble rate becomes very large but finite at a finite cosmic time.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, RevTex4-1. References added and discussion extended. Version accepted in EPJ