Testing general relativity by micro-arcsecond global astrometry

The global astrometric observations of a GAIA-like satellite were modeled within the PPN formulation of Post-Newtonian gravitation. An extensive experimental campaign based on realistic end-to-end simulations was conducted to establish the sensitivity of global astrometry to the PPN parameter \gamma, which measures the amount of space curvature produced by unit rest mass. The results show that, with just a few thousands of relatively bright, photometrically stable, and astrometrically well behaved single stars, among the ~10^9 objects that will be observed by GAIA, \gamma can be estimated after 1 year of continuous observations with an accuracy of ~10^{-5} at the 3\sigma level. Extrapolation to the full 5-year mission of these results based on the scaling properties of the adjustment procedure utilized suggests that the accuracy of \simeq 2x10^{-7}, at the same 3\sigma level, can be reached with \~10^6 single stars, again chosen as the most astrometrically stable among the millions available in the magnitude range V=12-13. These accuracies compare quite favorably with recent findings of scalar-tensor cosmological models, which predict for \gamma a present-time deviation, |1-\gamma|, from the General Relativity value between 10^{-5} and 10^{-7}.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, to be published in A&

Generalized Galileon cosmology

We study the cosmology of a generalized Galileon field $\phi$ with five covariant Lagrangians in which $\phi$ is replaced by general scalar functions $f_{i}(\phi)$ (i=1,...,5). For these theories, the equations of motion remain at second-order in time derivatives. We restrict the functional forms of $f_{i}(\phi)$ from the demand to obtain de Sitter solutions responsible for dark energy. There are two possible choices for power-law functions $f_{i}(\phi)$, depending on whether the coupling $F(\phi)$ with the Ricci scalar $R$ is independent of $\phi$ or depends on $\phi$. The former corresponds to the covariant Galileon theory that respects the Galilean symmetry in the Minkowski space-time. For generalized Galileon theories we derive the conditions for the avoidance of ghosts and Laplacian instabilities associated with scalar and tensor perturbations as well as the condition for the stability of de Sitter solutions. We also carry out detailed analytic and numerical study for the cosmological dynamics in those theories.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figures, version to appear in Physical Review

Tracing a relativistic Milky Way within the RAMOD measurement protocol

Advancement in astronomical observations and technical instrumentation implies taking into account the general relativistic effects due the gravitational fields encountered by the light while propagating from the star to the observer. Therefore, data exploitation for Gaia-like space astrometric mission (ESA, launch 2013) requires a fully relativistic interpretation of the inverse ray-tracing problem, namely the development of a highly accurate astrometric models in accordance with the geometrical environment affecting light propagation itself and the precepts of the theory of measurement. This could open a new rendition of the stellar distances and proper motions, or even an alternative detection perspective of many subtle relativistic effects suffered by light while it is propagating and subsequently recorded in the physical measurements.Comment: Proceeding for "Relativity and Gravitation, 100 Years after Einstein in Prague" to be published by Edition Open Access, revised versio

A general relativistic model for the light propagation in the gravitational field of the Solar System: the dynamical case

Modern astrometry is based on angular measurements at the micro-arcsecond level. At this accuracy a fully general relativistic treatment of the data reduction is required. This paper concludes a series of articles dedicated to the problem of relativistic light propagation, presenting the final microarcsecond version of a relativistic astrometric model which enable us to trace back the light path to its emitting source throughout the non-stationary gravity field of the moving bodies in the Solar System. The previous model is used as test-bed for numerical comparisons to the present one. Here we also test different versions of the computer code implementing the model at different levels of complexity to start exploring the best trade-off between numerical efficiency and the micro-arcsecond accuracy needed to be reached.Comment: 40 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication on The Astrophysical Journal. Manuscript prepared with AASLaTeX macros v.5.

Enhancing immunity by engineering DAMPs

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Five-Dimensional f(R) Braneworld Models

After incorporating the f(R) gravity into the general braneworld sum rules scope, it is shown that some particular class of warped five dimensional nonlinear braneworld models, which may be interesting for the hierarchy problem solution, still require a negative tension brane. For other classes of warp factors (suitable and not suitable for approaching the hierarchy problem) it is not necessary any negative brane tension in the compactification scheme. In this vein, it is argued that in the bulk f(R) gravity context, some types of warp factors may be useful for approaching the hierarchy problem and for evading the necessity of a negative brane tension in the compactification scheme.Comment: 10 pages, references updated, small modifications. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

The post-Newtonian limit in C-theories of gravitation

C-theory provides a unified framework to study metric, metric-affine and more general theories of gravity. In the vacuum weak-field limit of these theories, the parameterized post-Newtonian (PPN) parameters $\beta$ and $\gamma$ can differ from their general relativistic values. However, there are several classes of models featuring long-distance modifications of gravity but nevertheless passing the Solar system tests. Here it is shown how to compute the PPN parameters in C-theories and also in nonminimally coupled curvature theories, correcting previous results in the literature for the latter.Comment: 5 pages, no figures; To appear in PRD as a rapid communicatio

A note on the factorization conjecture

We give partial results on the factorization conjecture on codes proposed by Schutzenberger. We consider finite maximal codes C over the alphabet A = {a, b} with C \cap a^* = a^p, for a prime number p. Let P, S in Z , with S = S_0 + S_1, supp(S_0) \subset a^* and supp(S_1) \subset a^*b supp(S_0). We prove that if (P,S) is a factorization for C then (P,S) is positive, that is P,S have coefficients 0,1, and we characterize the structure of these codes. As a consequence, we prove that if C is a finite maximal code such that each word in C has at most 4 occurrences of b's and a^p is in C, then each factorization for C is a positive factorization. We also discuss the structure of these codes. The obtained results show once again relations between (positive) factorizations and factorizations of cyclic groups

Cosmological dynamics of fourth order gravity with a Gauss-Bonnet term

We consider cosmological dynamics in fourth order gravity with both $f(R)$ and $\Phi(\mathcal {G})$ correction to the Einstein gravity ($\mathcal{G}$ is the Gauss-Bonnet term). The particular case for which both terms are equally important on power-law solutions is described. These solutions and their stability are studied using the dynamical system approach. We also discuss condition of existence and stability of de Sitter solution in a more general situation of power-law $f$ and $\Phi$.Comment: published version, references update