Dark Energy, Inflation and Extra Dimensions

We consider how accelerated expansion, whether due to inflation or dark energy, imposes strong constraints on fundamental theories obtained by compactification from higher dimensions. For theories that obey the null energy condition (NEC), we find that inflationary cosmology is impossible for a wide range of compactifications; and a dark energy phase consistent with observations is only possible if both Newton's gravitational constant and the dark energy equation-of-state vary with time. If the theory violates the NEC, inflation and dark energy are only possible if the NEC-violating elements are inhomogeneously distributed in thecompact dimensions and vary with time in precise synchrony with the matter and energy density in the non-compact dimensions. Although our proofs are derived assuming general relativity applies in both four and higher dimensions and certain forms of metrics, we argue that similar constraints must apply for more general compactifications.Comment: 26 pages, 1 figure. v2: reference added, typos correcte

Cosmological Imprint of an Energy Component with General Equation of State

We examine the possibility that a significant component of the energy density of the universe has an equation-of-state different from that of matter, radiation or cosmological constant ($\Lambda$). An example is a cosmic scalar field evolving in a potential, but our treatment is more general. Including this component alters cosmic evolution in a way that fits current observations well. Unlike $\Lambda$, it evolves dynamically and develops fluctuations, leaving a distinctive imprint on the microwave background anisotropy and mass power spectrum.Comment: revised version, with added references, to appear in Phys. Rev. Lett. (4 pages Latex, 2 postscript figures

Halo Properties in Cosmological Simulations of Self-Interacting Cold Dark Matter

We present a comparison of halo properties in cosmological simulations of collisionless cold dark matter (CDM) and self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) for a range of dark matter cross sections. We find, in agreement with various authors, that CDM yields cuspy halos that are too centrally concentrated as compared to observations. Conversely, SIDM simulations using a Monte Carlo N-body technique produce halos with significantly reduced central densities and flatter cores with increasing cross section. We introduce a concentration parameter based on enclosed mass that we expect will be straightforward to determine observationally, unlike that of Navarro, Frenk & White, and provide predictions for SIDM and CDM. SIDM also produces more spherical halos than CDM, providing possibly the strongest observational test of SIDM. We discuss our findings in relation to various relevant observations as well as SIDM simulations of other groups. Taking proper account of simulation limitations, we find that a dark matter cross section per unit mass of sigma_DM ~= 10^{-23}-10^{-24} cm^2/GeV is consistent with all current observational constraints.Comment: 14 pages, submitted to Ap

Kasner and Mixmaster behavior in universes with equation of state w \ge 1

We consider cosmological models with a scalar field with equation of state $w\ge 1$ that contract towards a big crunch singularity, as in recent cyclic and ekpyrotic scenarios. We show that chaotic mixmaster oscillations due to anisotropy and curvature are suppressed, and the contraction is described by a homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann equation if $w>1$. We generalize the results to theories where the scalar field couples to p-forms and show that there exists a finite value of $w$, depending on the p-forms, such that chaotic oscillations are suppressed. We show that $Z_2$ orbifold compactification also contributes to suppressing chaotic behavior. In particular, chaos is avoided in contracting heterotic M-theory models if $w>1$ at the crunch.Comment: 25 pages, 2 figures, minor changes, references adde

Cosmology in Nonlinear Born-Infeld Scalar Field Theory With Negative Potentials

The cosmological evolution in Nonlinear Born-Infeld(hereafter NLBI) scalar field theory with negative potentials was investigated. The cosmological solutions in some important evolutive epoches were obtained. The different evolutional behaviors between NLBI and linear(canonical) scalar field theory have been presented. A notable characteristic is that NLBI scalar field behaves as ordinary matter nearly the singularity while the linear scalar field behaves as "stiff" matter. We find that in order to accommodate current observational accelerating expanding universe the value of potential parameters $|m|$ and $|V_0|$ must have an {\it upper bound}. We compare different cosmological evolutions for different potential parameters $m, V_0$.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, some references added, revised version for Int.J.Mod.Phys.A, appeared in Int.J.Mod.Phys.

The Evolution of Universe with th B-I Type Phantom Scalar Field

We considered the phantom cosmology with a lagrangian $\displaystyle L=\frac{1}{\eta}[1-\sqrt{1+\eta g^{\mu\nu}\phi_{, \mu}\phi_{, \nu}}]-u(\phi)$, which is original from the nonlinear Born-Infeld type scalar field with the lagrangian $\displaystyle L=\frac{1}{\eta}[1-\sqrt{1-\eta g^{\mu\nu}\phi_{, \mu}\phi_{, \nu}}]-u(\phi)$. This cosmological model can explain the accelerated expansion of the universe with the equation of state parameter $w\leq-1$. We get a sufficient condition for a arbitrary potential to admit a late time attractor solution: the value of potential $u(X_c)$ at the critical point $(X_c,0)$ should be maximum and large than zero. We study a specific potential with the form of $u(\phi)=V_0(1+\frac{\phi}{\phi_0})e^{(-\frac{\phi}{\phi_0})}$ via phase plane analysis and compute the cosmological evolution by numerical analysis in detail. The result shows that the phantom field survive till today (to account for the observed late time accelerated expansion) without interfering with the nucleosynthesis of the standard model(the density parameter $\Omega_{\phi}\simeq10^{-12}$ at the equipartition epoch), and also avoid the future collapse of the universe.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures,typos corrected, references added,figures added and enriched, title changed, main result remaine

Ultralocality and Slow Contraction

We study the detailed process by which slow contraction smooths and flattens the universe using an improved numerical relativity code that accepts initial conditions with non-perturbative deviations from homogeneity and isotropy along two independent spatial directions. Contrary to common descriptions of the early universe, we find that the geometry first rapidly converges to an inhomogeneous, spatially-curved and anisotropic ultralocal state in which all spatial gradient contributions to the equations of motion decrease as an exponential in time to negligible values. This is followed by a second stage in which the geometry converges to a homogeneous, spatially flat and isotropic spacetime. In particular, the decay appears to follow the same history whether the entire spacetime or only parts of it are smoothed by the end of slow contraction

Is Random Close Packing of Spheres Well Defined?

Despite its long history, there are many fundamental issues concerning random packings of spheres that remain elusive, including a precise definition of random close packing (RCP). We argue that the current picture of RCP cannot be made mathematically precise and support this conclusion via a molecular dynamics study of hard spheres using the Lubachevsky-Stillinger compression algorithm. We suggest that this impasse can be broken by introducing the new concept of a maximally random jammed state, which can be made precise.Comment: 6 pages total, 2 figure