Gravitational reheating in quintessential inflation

We provide a detailed study of gravitational reheating in quintessential inflation generalizing previous analyses only available for the standard case when inflation is followed by an era dominated by the energy density of radiation. Quintessential inflation assumes a common origin for inflation and the dark energy of the Universe. In this scenario reheating can occur through gravitational particle production during the inflation-kination transition. We calculate numerically the amount of the radiation energy density, and determine the temperature $T_*$ at which radiation starts dominating over kination. The value of $T_*$ is controlled by the Hubble parameter $H_0$ during inflation and the transition time $\Delta t$, scaling as $H_0^2 [\ln(1/H_0\Delta t)]^{3/4}$ for $H_0 \Delta t \ll1$ and $H_0^2 (H_0 \Delta t)^{-c}$ for $H_0\Delta t \gg 1$. The model-dependent parameter $c$ is found to be around 0.5 in two different parametrizations for the transition between inflation and kination.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Validity of Generalized Second Law of Thermodynamics in the Logamediate and Intermediate scenarios of the Universe

In this work, we have investigated the validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics in logamediate and intermediate scenarios of the universe bounded by the Hubble, apparent, particle and event horizons using and without using first law of thermodynamics. We have observed that the GSL is valid for Hubble, apparent, particle and event horizons of the universe in the logamediate scenario of the universe using first law and without using first law. Similarly the GSL is valid for all horizons in the intermediate scenario of the universe using first law. Also in the intermediate scenario of the universe, the GSL is valid for Hubble, apparent and particle horizons but it breaks down whenever we consider the universe enveloped by the event horizon

Generalised second law of thermodynamics for interacting dark energy in the DGP brane world

In this paper, we investigate the validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSLT) in the DGP brane world when universe is filled with interacting two fluid system: one in the form of cold dark matter and other is holographic dark energy. The boundary of the universe is assumed to be enclosed by the dynamical apparent horizon or the event horizon. The universe is chosen to be homogeneous and isotropic FRW model and the validity of the first law has been assumed here

Cosmological evolution of interacting dark energy in Lorentz violation

The cosmological evolution of an interacting scalar field model in which the scalar field interacts with dark matter, radiation, and baryon via Lorentz violation is investigated. We propose a model of interaction through the effective coupling $\bar{\beta}$. Using dynamical system analysis, we study the linear dynamics of an interacting model and show that the dynamics of critical points are completely controlled by two parameters. Some results can be mentioned as follows. Firstly, the sequence of radiation, the dark matter, and the scalar field dark energy exist and baryons are sub dominant. Secondly, the model also allows the possibility of having a universe in the phantom phase with constant potential. Thirdly, the effective gravitational constant varies with respect to time through $\bar{\beta}$. In particular, we consider a simple case where $\bar{\beta}$ has a quadratic form and has a good agreement with the modified $\Lambda$CDM and quintessence models. Finally, we also calculate the first post--Newtonian parameters for our model.Comment: 14 pages, published versio

Generalized Second Law of Thermodynamics on the Event Horizon for Interacting Dark Energy

Here we are trying to find the conditions for the validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSLT) assuming the first law of thermodynamics on the event horizon in both cases when the FRW universe is filled with interacting two fluid system- one in the form of cold dark matter and the other is either holographic dark energy or new age graphic dark energy. Using the recent observational data we have found that GSLT holds both in quintessence era as well as in phantom era for new age graphic model while for holographic dark energy GSLT is valid only in phantom era.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Observable Effects of Scalar Fields and Varying Constants

We show by using the method of matched asymptotic expansions that a sufficient condition can be derived which determines when a local experiment will detect the cosmological variation of a scalar field which is driving the spacetime variation of a supposed constant of Nature. We extend our earlier analyses of this problem by including the possibility that the local region is undergoing collapse inside a virialised structure, like a galaxy or galaxy cluster. We show by direct calculation that the sufficient condition is met to high precision in our own local region and we can therefore legitimately use local observations to place constraints upon the variation of "constants" of Nature on cosmological scales.Comment: Invited Festscrift Articl

Modified f(G) gravity models with curvature-matter coupling

A modified f(G) gravity model with coupling between matter and geometry is proposed, which is described by the product of the Lagrange density of the matter and an arbitrary function of the Gauss-Bonnet term. The field equations and the equations of motion corresponding to this model show the non-conservation of the energy-momentum tensor, the presence of an extra-force acting on test particles and the non-geodesic motion. Moreover, the energy conditions and the stability criterion at de Sitter point in the modified f(G) gravity models with curvature-matter coupling are derived, which can degenerate to the well-known energy conditions in general relativity. Furthermore, in order to get some insight on the meaning of these energy conditions, we apply them to the specific models of f(G) gravity and the corresponding constraints on the models are given. In addition, the conditions and the candidate for late-time cosmic accelerated expansion in the modified f(G) gravity are studied by means of conditions of power-law expansion and the equation of state of matter less than -1/ 3 .Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure