Scalar models for the unification of the dark sector

We review the difficulties of the generalized Chaplygin gas model to fit observational data, due to the tension between background and perturbative tests. We argue that such issues may be circumvented by means of a self-interacting scalar field representation of the model. However, this proposal seems to be successful only if the self-interacting scalar field has a non-canonical form. The latter can be implemented in Rastall's theory of gravity.Comment: Latex file, 8 pages, 3 figures in eps format. To appear in the proceedings of the CosmoSul conference, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 01-05 august of 201

Late time cosmological approach in mimetic f(R,T)f(R,T) gravity

In this paper, we investigate the late-time cosmic acceleration in mimetic $f(R,T)$ gravity with Lagrange multiplier and potential in a Universe containing, besides radiation and dark energy, a self-interacting (collisional) matter. We obtain through the modified Friedmann equations, the main equation that can describe the cosmological evolution and with several models from $Q(z)$ and the well known particular model $f(R, T)$, we perform an analysis of the late-time evolution. We examine the behavior of the Hubble parameter, the dark energy equation of state and the total effective equation of state and we compare in each case the resulting picture with the non-collisional matter (assumed as dust) and also with the collisional matter in mimetic $f(R, T)$ gravity. The results obtained are in good agreement with the observational data and show that in presence of the collisional matter the dark energy oscillations in mimetic f(R, T) gravity can be damped.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figure

Late time cosmological approach in mimetic f(R,T)f(R,T) gravity

In this paper, we investigate the late-time cosmic acceleration in mimetic $f(R,T)$ gravity with Lagrange multiplier and potential in a Universe containing, besides radiation and dark energy, a self-interacting (collisional) matter. We obtain through the modified Friedmann equations, the main equation that can describe the cosmological evolution and with several models from $Q(z)$ and the well known particular model $f(R, T)$, we perform an analysis of the late-time evolution. We examine the behavior of the Hubble parameter, the dark energy equation of state and the total effective equation of state and we compare in each case the resulting picture with the non-collisional matter (assumed as dust) and also with the collisional matter in mimetic $f(R, T)$ gravity. The results obtained are in good agreement with the observational data and show that in presence of the collisional matter the dark energy oscillations in mimetic f(R, T) gravity can be damped.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figure

Rastall Cosmology and the \Lambda CDM Model

Rastall's theory is based on the non-conservation of the energy-momentum tensor. We show that, in this theory, if we introduce a two-fluid model, one component representing vacuum energy whereas the other pressureless matter (e.g. baryons plus cold dark matter), the cosmological scenario is the same as for the \Lambda CDM model, both at background and linear perturbative levels, except for one aspect: now dark energy may cluster. We speculate that this can lead to a possibility of distinguishing the models at the non-linear perturbative level.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in Physical Review

The Brans-Dicke-Rastall theory

We formulate a theory combining the principles of a scalar-tensor gravity and Rastall's proposal of a violation of the usual conservation laws. We obtain a scalar-tensor theory with two parameters $\omega$ and $\lambda$, the latter quantifying the violation of the usual conservation laws. The only exact spherically symmetric solution is that of Robinson-Bertotti besides Schwarzschild solution. A PPN analysis reveals that General Relativity results are reproduced when $\lambda = 0$. The cosmological case displays a possibility of deceleration/acceleration or acceleration/deceleration transitions during the matter dominated phase depending on the values of the free parameters.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure