460 research outputs found
Slow-roll Inflation with the Gauss-Bonnet and Chern-Simons Corrections
We study slow-roll inflation with the Gauss-Bonnet and Chern-Simons
corrections. We obtain general formulas for the observables: spectral indices,
tensor-to-scalar ratio and circular polarization of gravitational waves. The
Gauss-Bonnet term violates the consistency relation r = -8n_T. Particularly,
blue spectrum n_T > 0 and scale invariant spectrum |8n_T|/r << 1 of tensor
modes are possible. These cases require the Gauss-Bonnet coupling function of
\xi _{,\phi } \sim 10^8/M_{Pl}. We use examples to show new-inflation-type
potential with 10M_{Pl} symmetry breaking scale and potential with flat region
in \phi \gtrsim 10M_{Pl} lead to observationally consistent blue and scale
invariant spectra, respectively. Hence, these interesting cases can actually be
realized. The Chern-Simons term produce circularly polarized tensor modes. We
show an observation of these signals supports existence of the Chern-Simons
coupling function of \omega _{,\phi } \sim 10^8/M_{Pl}. Thus, with future
observations, we can fix or constrain the value of these coupling functions, at
the CMB scale.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figure
Exact solutions in a scalar-tensor model of dark energy
We consider a model of scalar field with non minimal kinetic and Gauss Bonnet
couplings as a source of dark energy. Based on asymptotic limits of the
generalized Friedmann equation, we impose restrictions on the kinetic an
Gauss-Bonnet couplings. This restrictions considerable simplify the equations,
allowing for exact solutions unifying early time matter dominance with
transitions to late time quintessence and phantom phases. The stability of the
solutions in absence of matter has been studied.Comment: 30 pages, 2 figures, to appear in JCA
Inhomogeneities in dusty universe - a possible alternative to dark energy?
There have been of late renewed debates on the role of inhomogeneities to
explain the observed late acceleration of the universe. We have looked into the
problem analytically with the help of the well known spherically symmetric but
inhomogeneous Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi(LTB) model generalised to higher
dimensions. It is observed that in contrast to the claim made by Kolb et al the
presence of inhomogeneities as well as extra dimensions can not reverse the
signature of the deceleration parameter if the matter field obeys the energy
conditions. The well known Raychaudhuri equation also points to the same
result. Without solving the field equations explicitly it can, however, be
shown that although the total deceleration is positive everywhere nevertheless
it does not exclude the possibility of having radial acceleration, even in the
pure dust universe, if the angular scale factor is decelerating fast enough and
vice versa. Moreover it is found that introduction of extra dimensions can not
reverse the scenario. To the contrary it actually helps the decelerating
process.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure
Competition between Fusion and Quasi-fission in the Formation of Super-heavy Elements
Quasifission is a non-equilibrium dynamical process resulting in rapid separation of the dinuclear system initially formed after capture and sticking of two colliding heavy nuclei. This can inhibit fusion by many orders of magnitude, thus suppressing the cross section for formation of superheavy elements. Measurements with projectiles from C to Ni, made at the Australian National University Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility, have mapped out quasifission characteristics and systematics using mass-angle distributions (MAD) - the fission mass-split as a function of centre-of-mass angle. These provide information on quasifission dynamics in the least model-dependent way. Quasifission time-scale information in the MAD has been compared with TDHF calculations of the collisions, with good agreement being found. Most significantly, the nuclear structure of the two colliding nuclei has a dramatic effect on quasifission probabilities and characteristics in gentle collisions at near-barrier energies. The effect of static deformation alignment, closed shells and N/Z matching can completely change reaction outcomes. The realization of this strong dependence makes modelling quasifission and superheavy element formation a challenging task, but should ultimately allow more reliable prediction of superheavy element formation cross sections
New Agegraphic Dark Energy in Gravity
In this paper we study cosmological application of new agegraphic dark energy
density in the gravity framework. We employ the new agegraphic model of
dark energy to obtain the equation of state for the new agegraphic energy
density in spatially flat universe. Our calculation show, taking , it is
possible to have crossing -1. This implies that one can
generate phantom-like equation of state from a new agegraphic dark energy model
in flat universe in the modified gravity cosmology framework. Also we develop a
reconstruction scheme for the modified gravity with action.Comment: 8 pages, no figur
- …