A new approach to the analysis of the phase space of f(R)-gravity

We propose a new dynamical system formalism for the analysis of f(R) cosmologies. The new approach eliminates the need for cumbersome inversions to close the dynamical system and allows the analysis of the phase space of f(R)-gravity models which cannot be investigated using the standard technique. Differently form previously proposed similar techniques, the new method is constructed in such a way to associate to the fixed points scale factors, which contain four integration constants (i.e. solutions of fourth order differential equations). In this way a new light is shed on the physical meaning of the fixed points. We apply this technique to some f(R) Lagrangians relevant for inflationary and dark energy models.Comment: 32 pages, 13 figures, typos corrected, updated bibliograph

Covariant gauge invariant theory of Scalar Perturbations in f(R)f(R)-gravity: a brief review

I review the state of the art of the investigation on the structure formation in $f(R)$-gravity based on the Covariant and Gauge Invariant approach to perturbations. A critical analysis of the results, in particular the presence of characteristic signature of these models, together with their meaning and their implication is given.Comment: 23 pages, 12 figures, to appear on The Open Astronomy Journa

A first-order secular theory for the post-Newtonian two-body problem with spin -- I: The restricted case

We revisit the relativistic restricted two-body problem with spin employing a perturbation scheme based on Lie series. Starting from a post-Newtonian expansion of the field equations, we develop a first-order secular theory that reproduces well-known relativistic effects such as the precession of the pericentre and the Lense-Thirring and geodetic effects. Additionally, our theory takes into full account the complex interplay between the various relativistic effects, and provides a new explicit solution of the averaged equations of motion in terms of elliptic functions. Our analysis reveals the presence of particular configurations for which non-periodical behaviour can arise. The application of our results to real astrodynamical systems (such as Mercury-like and pulsar planets) highlights the contribution of relativistic effects to the long-term evolution of the spin and orbit of the secondary body.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, Published in MNRA

On the Anisotropic Interior Solutions in Ho\v{r}ava Gravity and Einstein-{\ae}ther Theory

We find a reconstruction algorithm able to generate all the static spherically symmetric interior solutions in the framework of Ho\v{r}ava gravity and Einstein-\ae ther theory in presence of anisotropic fluids. We focus for simplicity on the case of a static \ae ther finding a large class of possible viable interior star solutions which present a very rich phenomenology. We study one illustrative example in more detail.Comment: v1: 5 pages, 1 figure; v2: 6 pages, 1 figure. Matches published version in EP

The 1+1+2 formalism for Scalar-Tensor gravity

We use the 1+1+2 covariant approach to clarify a number of aspects of spherically symmetric solutions of non-minimally coupled scalar tensor theories. Particular attention is focused on the extension of Birkhoff's theorem and the nature of quasi-local horizons in this context.Comment: 27 pages, accepted versio

On dynamical systems approaches and methods in f(R)f(R) cosmology

We discuss dynamical systems approaches and methods applied to flat Robertson-Walker models in $f(R)$-gravity. We argue that a complete description of the solution space of a model requires a global state space analysis that motivates globally covering state space adapted variables. This is shown explicitly by an illustrative example, $f(R) = R + \alpha R^2$, $\alpha > 0$, for which we introduce new regular dynamical systems on global compactly extended state spaces for the Jordan and Einstein frames. This example also allows us to illustrate several local and global dynamical systems techniques involving, e.g., blow ups of nilpotent fixed points, center manifold analysis, averaging, and use of monotone functions. As a result of applying dynamical systems methods to globally state space adapted dynamical systems formulations, we obtain pictures of the entire solution spaces in both the Jordan and the Einstein frames. This shows, e.g., that due to the domain of the conformal transformation between the Jordan and Einstein frames, not all the solutions in the Jordan frame are completely contained in the Einstein frame. We also make comparisons with previous dynamical systems approaches to $f(R)$ cosmology and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.Comment: 36 pages, 7 figures. v2: references added, matches published versio

Reconstructing exact scalar-tensor cosmologies via conformal transformations

We propose a new reconstruction method for scalar--tensor gravity based on the use of conformal transformations. The new method allows the derivation of a set of interesting exact cosmological solutions in brans Dicke gravity as well as other extensions of General Relativity.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

An analysis of the phase space of Horava-Lifshitz cosmologies

Using the dynamical system approach, properties of cosmological models based on the Horava-Lifshitz gravity are systematically studied. In particular, the cosmological phase space of the Horava-Lifshitz model is characterized. The analysis allows to compare some key physical consequences of the imposition (or not) of detailed balance. A result of the investigation is that in the detailed balance case one of the attractors in the theory corresponds to an oscillatory behavior. Such oscillations can be associated to a bouncing universe, as previously described by Brandenberger, and will prevent a possible evolution towards a de Sitter universe. Other results obtained show that the cosmological models generated by Horava-Lifshitz gravity without the detailed balance assumption have indeed the potential to describe the transition between the Friedmann and the dark energy eras. The whole analysis leads to the plausible conclusion that a cosmology compatible with the present observations of the universe can be achieved only if the detailed balance condition is broken.Comment: 12 pages, some typos corrected, some references adde

A new approach to reconstruction methods in f(R)f(R) gravity

We present a new approach of the reconstruction method based on the use of the cosmic parameters instead of a time law for the scale factor. This allows the derivation and analysis of a set of new non-trivial cosmological solutions for $f(R)$-gravity. A number of simple examples are given.Comment: 5 pages, Revtex