Quantization of scalar perturbations in brane-world inflation

We consider a quantization of scalar perturbations about a de Sitter brane in a 5-dimensional anti-de Sitter (AdS) bulk spacetime. We first derive the second order action for a master variable $\Omega$ for 5-dimensional gravitational perturbations. For a vacuum brane, there is a continuum of normalizable Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes with $m>3H/2$. There is also a light radion mode with $m=\sqrt{2}H$ which satisfies the junction conditions for two branes, but is non-normalizable for a single brane model. We perform the quantization of these bulk perturbations and calculate the effective energy density of the projected Weyl tensor on the barne. If there is a test scalar field perturbation on the brane, the $m^2 = 2H^2$ mode together with the zero-mode and an infinite ladder of discrete tachyonic modes become normalizable in a single brane model. This infinite ladder of discrete modes as well as the continuum of KK modes with $m>3H/2$ introduce corrections to the scalar field perturbations at first-order in a slow-roll expansion. We derive the second order action for the Mukhanov-Sasaki variable coupled to the bulk perturbations which is needed to perform the quantization and determine the amplitude of scalar perturbations generated during inflation on the brane.Comment: 14 page

Scalar perturbations in braneworld cosmology

We study the behaviour of scalar perturbations in the radiation-dominated era of Randall-Sundrum braneworld cosmology by numerically solving the coupled bulk and brane master wave equations. We find that density perturbations with wavelengths less than a critical value (set by the bulk curvature length) are amplified during horizon re-entry. This means that the radiation era matter power spectrum will be at least an order of magnitude larger than the predictions of general relativity (GR) on small scales. Conversely, we explicitly confirm from simulations that the spectrum is identical to GR on large scales. Although this magnification is not relevant for the cosmic microwave background or measurements of large scale structure, it will have some bearing on the formation of primordial black holes in Randall-Sundrum models.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure

Scalar cosmological perturbations in the Gauss-Bonnet braneworld

We study scalar cosmological perturbations in a braneworld model with a bulk Gauss-Bonnet term. For an anti-de Sitter bulk, the five-dimensional perturbation equations share the same form as in the Randall-Sundrum model, which allows us to obtain metric perturbations in terms of a master variable. We derive the boundary conditions for the master variable from the generalized junction conditions on the brane. We then investigate several limiting cases in which the junction equations are reduced to a feasible level. In the low energy limit, we confirm that the standard result of four-dimensional Einstein gravity is reproduced on large scales, whereas on small scales we find that the perturbation dynamics is described by the four-dimensional Brans-Dicke theory. In the high energy limit, all the non-local contributions drop off from the junction equations, leaving a closed system of equations on the brane. We show that, for inflation models driven by a scalar field on the brane, the Sasaki-Mukhanov equation holds on the high energy brane in its original four-dimensional form.Comment: 18 pages, v2: minor changes, reference added, v3: comments and references added, accepted for publication in JCA

Non-Gaussian signatures of Tachyacoustic Cosmology

I investigate non-Gaussian signatures in the context of tachyacoustic cosmology, that is, a noninflationary model with superluminal speed of sound. I calculate the full non-Gaussian amplitude $\mathcal{A}$, its size $f_{\rm NL}$, and corresponding shapes for a red-tilted spectrum of primordial scalar perturbations. Specifically, for cuscuton-like models I show that $f_{\rm NL}\sim {\cal O}(1)$, and the shape of its non-Gaussian amplitude peaks for both equilateral and local configurations, the latter being dominant. These results, albeit similar, are quantitatively distinct from the corresponding ones obtained by Magueijo {\it{et. al}} in the context of superluminal bimetric models.Comment: Some comments and references added. Matches the version published in JCA

Bulk gravitational field and dark radiation on the brane in dilatonic brane world

We discuss the connection between the dark radiation on the brane and the bulk gravitational field in a dilatonic brane world model proposed by Koyama and Takahashi where the exact solutions for the five dimensional cosmological perturbations can be obtained analytically. It is shown that the dark radiation perturbation is related to the non-normalizable Kaluza-Klein (KK) mode of the bulk perturbations. For the de Sitter brane in the anti-de Sitter bulk, the squared mass of this KK mode is $2 H^2$ where $H$ is the Hubble parameter on the brane. This mode is shown to be connected to the excitation of small black hole in the bulk in the long wavelength limit. The exact solution for an anisotropic stress on the brane induced by this KK mode is found, which plays an important role in the calculation of cosmic microwave background radiation anisotropies in the brane world.Comment: 11 page

Taxes, lawyers, and the decline of witch trials in France

This paper explores the rise of the fiscal state in the early modern period and its impact on legal capacity. To measure legal capacity, we establish that witchcraft trials were more likely to take place where the central state had weak legal insti- tutions. Combining data on the geographic distribution of witchcraft trials with unique panel data on tax receipts across 21 French regions, we find that the rise of the tax state can account for much of the decline in witch trials during this period. Further historical evidence supports our hypothesis that higher taxes led to better legal institutions.Rule of Law, Witchcraft, France, Institutions, Fiscal Capacity, Legal Capacity

Excised acoustic black holes: the scattering problem in the time domain

The scattering process of a dynamic perturbation impinging on a draining-tub model of an acoustic black hole is numerically solved in the time domain. Analogies with real black holes of General Relativity are explored by using recently developed mathematical tools involving finite elements methods, excision techniques, and constrained evolution schemes for strongly hyperbolic systems. In particular it is shown that superradiant scattering of a quasi-monochromatic wavepacket can produce strong amplification of the signal, offering the possibility of a significant extraction of rotational energy at suitable values of the angular frequency of the vortex and of the central frequency of the wavepacket. The results show that theoretical tools recently developed for gravitational waves can be brought to fruition in the study of other problems in which strong anisotropies are present.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Ekpyrotic collapse with multiple fields

A scale invariant spectrum of isocurvature perturbations is generated during collapse in the scaling solution in models where two or more fields have steep negative exponential potentials. The scale invariance of the spectrum is realised by a tachyonic instability in the isocurvature field. We show that this instability is due to the fact that the scaling solution is a saddle point in the phase space. The late time attractor is identified with a single field dominated ekpyrotic collapse in which a steep blue spectrum for isocurvature perturbations is found. Although quantum fluctuations do not necessarily to disrupt the classical solution, an additional preceding stage is required to establish classical homogeneity

More on ghosts in DGP model

It is shown by an explicit calculation that the excitations about the self-accelerating cosmological solution of the Dvali--Gabadaze--Porrati model contain a ghost mode. This raises serious doubts about viability of this solution. Our analysis reveals the similarity between the quadratic theory for the perturbations around the self-accelerating Universe and an Abelian gauge model with two Stueckelberg fields.Comment: Revtex, 9 pages, no figure

Exactly solvable model for cosmological perturbations in dilatonic brane worlds

We construct a model where cosmological perturbations are analytically solved based on dilatonic brane worlds. A bulk scalar field has an exponential potential in the bulk and an exponential coupling to the brane tension. The bulk scalar field yields a power-law inflation on the brane. The exact background metric can be found including the back-reaction of the scalar field. Then exact solutions for cosmological perturbations which properly satisfy the junction conditions on the brane are derived. These solutions provide us an interesting model to understand the connection between the behavior of cosmological perturbations on the brane and the geometry of the bulk. Using these solutions, the behavior of an anisotropic stress induced on the inflationary brane by bulk gravitational fields is investigated.Comment: 30 pages, typos corrected, reference adde