Intrinsic uncertainty on the nature of dark energy

We argue that there is an intrinsic noise on measurements of the equation of state parameter $w=p/\rho$ from large-scale structure around us. The presence of the large-scale structure leads to an ambiguity in the definition of the background universe and thus there is a maximal precision with which we can determine the equation of state of dark energy. To study the uncertainty due to local structure, we model density perturbations stemming from a standard inflationary power spectrum by means of the exact Lema\^{i}tre-Tolman-Bondi solution of Einstein's equation, and show that the usual distribution of matter inhomogeneities in a $\Lambda$CDM cosmology causes a variation of $w$ -- as inferred from distance measures -- of several percent. As we observe only one universe, or equivalently because of the cosmic variance, this uncertainty is systematic in nature.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures. Version as accepted for publication in Physics of the Dark Universe (Open Access

A back-reaction approach to dark energy

This thesis is mainly about how to set up and carry out in a physically meaningful way the idea of back-reaction, according to which dark energy could be an effective source. There are, broadly speaking, two distinct approaches. One is focused on how cosmological observables are affected by inhomogeneities, while the other is focused on a theoretical description of the inhomogeneous universe by means of a mean-field description. Both approaches, however, share the idea of smoothing out inhomogeneities. We developed this duality in the interpretation of the back-reaction by means of toy models based on the Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi solution of Einstein's equations. In particular we focused on voids expanding faster than the background solution.Comment: 128 pages, 52 figures; PhD thesi

Cosmic variance and the measurement of the local Hubble parameter

There is an approximately 9% discrepancy, corresponding to 2.4sigma, between two independent constraints on the expansion rate of the universe: one indirectly arising from the cosmic microwave background and baryon acoustic oscillations, and one more directly obtained from local measurements of the relation between redshifts and distances to sources. We argue that by taking into account the local gravitational potential at the position of the observer this tension - strengthened by the recent Planck results - is partially relieved and the concordance of the standard model of cosmology increased. We estimate that measurements of the local Hubble constant are subject to a cosmic variance of about 2.4% (limiting the local sample to redshifts z>0.010) or 1.3% (limiting it to z>0.023), a more significant correction than that taken into account already. Nonetheless, we show that one would need a very rare fluctuation to fully explain the offset in the Hubble rates. If this tension is further strengthened, a cosmology beyond the standard model may prove necessary.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. v2: added one figure, improved results and discussion, added references. v3: updated to Planck results. v4: matches version accepted for publication in PR