Dark energy cosmology from higher-order, string-inspired gravity and its reconstruction

In this paper we investigate the cosmological effects of modified gravity with string curvature corrections added to Einstein-Hilbert action in the presence of a dynamically evolving scalar field coupled to Riemann invariants. The scenario exhibits several features of cosmological interest for late universe. It is shown that higher order stringy corrections can lead to a class of dark energy models consistent with recent observations. The model can give rise to quintessence, deSitter or phantom dark energy, in last case without recourse to negative kinetic energy field. The detailed treatment of reconstruction program for general scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity is presented for any given cosmology. The explicit examples of reconstructed scalar potentials are given for accelerated (quintessence, cosmological constant or phantom) universe. Finally, the relation with modified $F(G)$ gravity is established on classical level and is extended to include third order terms on curvature.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, minor changes, published versio

Effective Action of Composite Fields for General Gauge Theories in BLT-Covariant Formalism

The gauge dependence of the effective action of composite fields for general gauge theories in the framework of the quantization method by Batalin, Lavrov and Tyutin is studied. The corresponding Ward identities are obtained. The variation of composite fields effective action is found in terms of new set of operators depending on composite field. The theorem of the on-shell gauge fixing independence for the effective action of composite fields in such formalism is proved. brief discussion of gravitational-vector induced interaction for Maxwell theory with composite fields is given.Comment: Typos corrected. Latex fil

Classifying and avoiding singularities in the alternative gravity dark energy models

The future finite-time singularities emerging in alternative gravity dark energy models are classified and studied in Jordan and Einstein frames. It is shown that such singularity may occur even in flat spacetime for the specific choice of the effective potential. The conditions for the avoidance of finite-time singularities are presented and discussed. The problem is reduced to the study of a scalar field evolving on an effective potential by using the conformal transformations. Some viable modified gravity models are analyzed in detail and the way to cure singularity is considered by introducing the higher-order curvature corrections. These results maybe relevant for the resolution of the conjectured problem in the relativistic star formation in such modified gravity where finite-time singularity is also manifested.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, published version in PR

Hydrostatic equilibrium and stellar structure in f(R)-gravity

We investigate the hydrostatic equilibrium of stellar structure by taking into account the modi- fied La\'e-Emden equation coming out from f(R)-gravity. Such an equation is obtained in metric approach by considering the Newtonian limit of f(R)-gravity, which gives rise to a modified Poisson equation, and then introducing a relation between pressure and density with polytropic index n. The modified equation results an integro-differential equation, which, in the limit f(R) \rightarrow R, becomes the standard La\'e-Emden equation. We find the radial profiles of gravitational potential by solving for some values of n. The comparison of solutions with those coming from General Relativity shows that they are compatible and physically relevant.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Universal features of the holographic duality: conformal anomaly and brane gravity trapping from 5d AdS Black Hole

We calculate the holographic conformal anomaly and brane Newton potential when bulk is 5d AdS BH. It is shown that such anomaly is the same as in the case of pure AdS or (asymptotically) dS bulk spaces, i.e. it is (bulk) metric independent one. While Newton potential on the static brane in AdS BH is different from the one in pure AdS space, the gravity trapping still occurs for two branes system. This indicates to metric independence of gravity localization.Comment: LaTeX file, 14 page

Dark Energy: Vacuum Fluctuations, the Effective Phantom Phase, and Holography

We aim at the construction of dark energy models without exotic matter but with a phantom-like equation of state (an effective phantom phase). The first model we consider is decaying vacuum cosmology where the fluctuations of the vacuum are taken into account. In this case, the phantom cosmology (with an effective, observational $\omega$ being less than -1) emerges even for the case of a real dark energy with a physical equation of state parameter $\omega$ larger than -1. The second proposal is a generalized holographic model, which is produced by the presence of an infrared cutoff. It also leads to an effective phantom phase, which is not a transient one as in the first model. However, we show that quantum effects are able to prevent its evolution towards a Big Rip singularity.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures, revtex4, version to appear in Physical Review

Zeta-function approach to Casimir energy with singular potentials

In the framework of zeta-function approach the Casimir energy for three simple model system: single delta potential, step function potential and three delta potentials is analyzed. It is shown that the energy contains contributions which are peculiar to the potentials. It is suggested to renormalize the energy using the condition that the energy of infinitely separated potentials is zero which corresponds to subtraction all terms of asymptotic expansion of zeta-function. The energy obtained in this way obeys all physically reasonable conditions. It is finite in the Dirichlet limit and it may be attractive or repulsive depending on the strength of potential. The effective action is calculated and it is shown that the surface contribution appears. The renormalization of the effective action is discussed.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures, added reference, address correcte