On the issue of imposing boundary conditions on quantum fields

An interesting example of the deep interrelation between Physics and Mathematics is obtained when trying to impose mathematical boundary conditions on physical quantum fields. This procedure has recently been re-examined with care. Comments on that and previous analysis are here provided, together with considerations on the results of the purely mathematical zeta-function method, in an attempt at clarifying the issue. Hadamard regularization is invoked in order to fill the gap between the infinities appearing in the QFT renormalized results and the finite values obtained in the literature with other procedures.Comment: 13 pages, no figure

Zeta-function regularization, the multiplicative anomaly and the Wodzicki residue

The multiplicative anomaly associated with the zeta-function regularized determinant is computed for the Laplace-type operators L_1=-\lap+V_1 and L_2=-\lap+V_2, with $V_1$, $V_2$ constant, in a D-dimensional compact smooth manifold $M_D$, making use of several results due to Wodzicki and by direct calculations in some explicit examples. It is found that the multiplicative anomaly is vanishing for $D$ odd and for D=2. An application to the one-loop effective potential of the O(2) self-interacting scalar model is outlined.Comment: LaTeX, 17 pages, 3 figures. Small corrections, two new formulas, and an addition to the references. To appear in Commun. Math. Phy

Zeta-Function Regularization is Uniquely Defined and Well

Hawking's zeta function regularization procedure is shown to be rigorously and uniquely defined, thus putting and end to the spreading lore about different difficulties associated with it. Basic misconceptions, misunderstandings and errors which keep appearing in important scientific journals when dealing with this beautiful regularization method ---and other analytical procedures--- are clarified and corrected.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX fil

Dark energy in modified Gauss-Bonnet gravity: late-time acceleration and the hierarchy problem

Dark energy cosmology is considered in a modified Gauss-Bonnet (GB) model of gravity where an arbitrary function of the GB invariant, $f(G)$, is added to the General Relativity action. We show that such theory is endowed with a quite rich cosmological structure: it may naturally lead to an effective cosmological constant, quintessence or phantom cosmic acceleration, with a possible transition from deceleration to acceleration. It is demonstrated in the paper that this theory is perfectly viable, since it is compliant with Solar System constraints. Specific properties of $f(G)$ gravity in a de Sitter universe, such as dS and SdS solutions, their entropy and its explicit one-loop quantization are studied. The issue of a possible solution of the hierarchy problem in modified gravities is addressed too.Comment: LaTeX file 20 pages, new subsections are adde

Beyond-one-loop quantum gravity action yielding both inflation and late-time acceleration

A unified description of early-time inflation with the current cosmic acceleration is achieved by means of a new theory that uses a quadratic model of gravity, with the inclusion of an exponential $F(R)$-gravity contribution for dark energy. High-curvature corrections of the theory come from higher-derivative quantum gravity and yield an effective action that goes beyond the one-loop approximation. It is shown that, in this theory, viable inflation emerges in a natural way, leading to a spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio that are in perfect agreement with the most reliable Planck results. At low energy, late-time accelerated expansion takes place. As exponential gravity, for dark energy, must be stabilized during the matter and radiation eras, we introduce a curing term in order to avoid nonphysical singularities in the effective equation of state parameter. The results of our analysis are confirmed by accurate numerical simulations, which show that our model does fit the most recent cosmological data for dark energy very precisely.Comment: 20 pages, to appear in NP

Black hole and de Sitter solutions in a covariant renormalizable field theory of gravity

It is shown that Schwarzschild black hole and de Sitter solutions exist as exact solutions of a recently proposed relativistic covariant formulation of (power-counting) renormalizable gravity with a fluid. The formulation without a fluid is also presented here. The stability of the solutions is studied and their corresponding entropies are computed, by using the covariant Wald method. The area law is shown to hold both for the Schwarzschild and for the de Sitter solutions found, confirming that, for the $\beta=1$ case, one is dealing with a minimal modification of GR.Comment: 7 paages, latex fil

String-inspired Gauss-Bonnet gravity reconstructed from the universe expansion history and yielding the transition from matter dominance to dark energy

We consider scalar-Gauss-Bonnet and modified Gauss-Bonnet gravities and reconstruct these theories from the universe expansion history. In particular, we are able to construct versions of those theories (with and without ordinary matter), in which the matter dominated era makes a transition to the cosmic acceleration epoch. It is remarkable that, in several of the cases under consideration, matter dominance and the deceleration-acceleration transition occur in the presence of matter only. The late-time acceleration epoch is described asymptotically by de Sitter space but may also correspond to an exact $\Lambda$CDM cosmology, having in both cases an effective equation of state parameter $w$ close to -1. The one-loop effective action of modified Gauss-Bonnet gravity on the de Sitter background is evaluated and it is used to derive stability criteria for the ensuing de Sitter universe.Comment: LaTeX20 pages, 4 figures, version to apear in PR

On structure of effective action in four-dimensional quantum dilaton supergravity

A general structure of effective action in new chiral superfield model associated with $N=1$, $D=4$ supergravity is investigated. This model corresponds to finite quantum field theory and does not demand the regularization and renormalization at effective action calculation. It is shown that in local approximation the effective action is defined by two objects called general superfield effective lagrangian and chiral superfield effective lagrangian. A proper-time method is generalized for calculation of these two effective lagrangians in superfield manner. Power expansion of the effective action in supercovariant derivatives is formulated and the lower terms of such an expansion are calculated in explicit superfield form