Vector field theories in cosmology

Recently proposed theories based on the cosmic presence of a vectorial field are compared and contrasted. In particular the so called Einstein aether theory is discussed in parallel with a recent proposal of a strained space-time theory (Cosmic Defect theory). We show that the latter fits reasonably well the cosmic observed data with only one, or at most two, adjustable parameters, whilst other vector theories use much more. The Newtonian limits are also compared. Finally we show that the CD theory may be considered as a special case of the aether theories, corresponding to a more compact and consistent paradigm.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure, to appear on Phys. Rev.

Cosmological coincidence problem in interacting dark energy models

An interacting dark energy model with interaction term $Q= \lambda_m H\rho_m+\lambda_dH\rho_d$ is considered. By studying the model near the transition time, in which the system crosses the w=-1 phantom-divide-line, the conditions needed to overcome the coincidence problem is investigated. The phantom model, as a candidate for dark energy, is considered and for two specific examples, the quadratic and exponential phantom potentials, it is shown that it is possible the system crosses the w=-1 line, meanwhile the coincidence problem is alleviated, the two facts that have root in observations.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX. Some minor explanations are added. To be published in Phys. Rev.

Toward solving the cosmological constant problem by embedding

The typical scalar field theory has a cosmological constant problem. We propose a generic mechanism by which this problem is avoided at tree level by embedding the theory into a larger theory. The metric and the scalar field coupling constants in the original theory do not need to be fine-tuned, while the extra scalar field parameters and the metric associated with the extended theory are fine-tuned dynamically. Hence, no fine-tuning of parameters in the full Lagrangian is needed for the vacuum energy in the new physical system to vanish at tree level. The cosmological constant problem can be solved if the method can be extended to quantum loops.Comment: published versio

Observational signatures of f(R) dark energy models that satisfy cosmological and local gravity constraints

We discuss observational consequences of f(R) dark energy scenarios that satisfy local gravity constraints (LGC) as well as conditions of the cosmological viability. The model we study is given by m(r)=C(-r-1)^p (C>0, p>1) with m=Rf_{,RR}/f_{,R} and r=-Rf_{,R}/f, which cover viable f(R) models proposed so far in a high-curvature region designed to be compatible with LGC. The equation of state of dark energy exhibits a divergence at a redshift z_c that can be as close as a few while satisfying sound horizon constraints of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). We study the evolution of matter density perturbations in details and place constraints on model parameters from the difference of spectral indices of power spectra between CMB and galaxy clustering. The models with p>5 can be consistent with those observational constraints as well as LGC. We also discuss the evolution of perturbations in the Ricci scalar R and show that an oscillating mode (scalaron) can easily dominate over a matter-induced mode as we go back to the past. This violates the stability of cosmological solutions, thus posing a problem about how the over-production of scalarons should be avoided in the early universe.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, version to appear in Physical Review

Anisotropic Cosmological Constant and the CMB Quadrupole Anomaly

There are evidences that the cosmic microwave background (CMB) large-angle anomalies imply a departure from statistical isotropy and hence from the standard cosmological model. We propose a LCDM model extension whose dark energy component preserves its nondynamical character but wield anisotropic vacuum pressure. Exact solutions for the cosmological scale factors are presented, upper bounds for the deformation parameter are evaluated and its value is estimated considering the elliptical universe proposal to solve the quadrupole anomaly. This model can be constructed from a Bianchi I cosmology with cosmological constant from two different ways: i) a straightforward anisotropic modification of the vacuum pressure consistently with energy-momentum conservation; ii) a Poisson structure deformation between canonical momenta such that the dynamics remain invariant under scale factors rescalings.Comment: 8 pages, 2 columns, 1 figure. v2: figure improved, added comments on higher eccentricity powers and references. v3: typos corrected, version to appear in PR

New Interaction between Dark Energy and Dark Matter Changes Sign during Cosmological Evolution

It is found by Cai and Su that the interaction between dark energy and cold dark matter is likely to change the sign during the cosmological evolution. Motivated by this, we suggest a new form of interaction between dark energy and dark matter, which changes from negative to positive as the expansion of our universe changes from decelerated to accelerated. We find that the interacting model is consistent with the second law of thermodynamics and the observational constraints. And, we also discuss the unified adiabatic-squared sound speed of the model.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figure, 1 table. Final version in PR

Type I singularities and the Phantom Menace

We consider the future dynamics of a transient phantom dominated phase of the universe in LQC and in the RS braneworld, which both have a non-standard Friedmann equation. We find that for a certain class of potentials, the Hubble parameter oscillates with simple harmonic motion in the LQC case and therefore avoids any future singularity. For more general potentials we find that damping effects eventually lead to the Hubble parameter becoming constant. On the other hand in the braneworld case we find that although the type I singularity can be avoided, the scale factor still diverges at late times.Comment: More references added. Final PRD versio

Solution of the dispersionless Hirota equations

The dispersionless differential Fay identity is shown to be equivalent to a kernel expansion providing a universal algebraic characterization and solution of the dispersionless Hirota equations. Some calculations based on D-bar data of the action are also indicated.Comment: Late

Density perturbations in f(R) gravity theories in metric and Palatini formalisms

We make a detailed study of matter density perturbations in both metric and Palatini formalisms in theories whose Lagrangian density is a general function, f(R), of the Ricci scalar. We derive these equations in a number of gauges. We show that for viable models that satisfy cosmological and local gravity constraints (LGC), matter perturbation equations derived under a sub-horizon approximation are valid even for super-Hubble scales provided the oscillating mode (scalaron) does not dominate over the matter-induced mode. Such approximate equations are especially reliable in the Palatini formalism because of the absence of scalarons. Using these equations we make a comparative study of the behaviour of density perturbations as well as gravitational potentials for a number of classes of theories. In the metric formalism the parameter m=Rf_{,RR}/f_{,R} characterising the deviation from the Lambda CDM model is constrained to be very small during the matter era in order to ensure compatibility with LGC, but the models in which m grows to the order of 10^{-1} around the present epoch can be allowed. These models also suffer from an additional fine tuning due to the presence of scalaron modes which are absent in the Palatini case. In Palatini formalism LGC and background cosmological constraints provide only weak bounds on |m| by constraining it to be smaller than ~ 0.1. This is in contrast to matter density perturbations which, on galactic scales, place far more stringent constraints on the present deviation parameter m of the order of |m| < 10^{-5} - 10^{-4}. This is due to the peculiar evolution of matter perturbations in the Palatini case which exhibits a rapid growth or a damped oscillation depending on the sign of m.Comment: 36 pages including 8 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review

Cosmic Acceleration Data and Bulk-Brane Energy Exchange

We consider a braneworld model with bulk-brane energy exchange. This allows for crossing of the w=-1 phantom divide line without introducing phantom energy with quantum instabilities. We use the latest SnIa data included in the Gold06 dataset to provide an estimate of the preferred parameter values of this braneworld model. We use three fitting approaches which provide best fit parameter values and hint towards a bulk energy component that behaves like relativistic matter which is propagating in the bulk and is moving at a speed v along the fifth dimension, while the bulk-brane energy exchange component corresponds to negative pressure and signifies energy flowing from the bulk into the brane. We find that the best fit effective equation of state parameter $w_{eff}$ marginally crosses the phantom divide line w=-1. Thus, we have demonstrated both the ability of this class of braneworld models to provide crossing of the phantom divide and also that cosmological data hint towards natural values for the model parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, added comments, references update