Cosmological Constraints on a Dynamical Electron Mass

Motivated by recent astrophysical observations of quasar absorption systems, we formulate a simple theory where the electron to proton mass ratio $\mu =m_{e}/m_{p}$ is allowed to vary in space-time. In such a minimal theory only the electron mass varies, with $\alpha$ and $m_{p}$ kept constant. We find that changes in $\mu$ will be driven by the electronic energy density after the electron mass threshold is crossed. Particle production in this scenario is negligible. The cosmological constraints imposed by recent astronomical observations are very weak, due to the low mass density in electrons. Unlike in similar theories for spacetime variation of the fine structure constant, the observational constraints on variations in $\mu$ imposed by the weak equivalence principle are much more stringent constraints than those from quasar spectra. Any time-variation in the electron-proton mass ratio must be less than one part in $10^{9}$since redshifts $z\approx 1.$This is more than one thousand times smaller than current spectroscopic sensitivities can achieve. Astronomically observable variations in the electron-proton must therefore arise directly from effects induced by varying fine structure 'constant' or by processes associated with internal proton structure. We also place a new upper bound of $2\times 10^{-8}$ on any large-scale spatial variation of $\mu$ that is compatible with the isotropy of the microwave background radiation.Comment: New bounds from weak equivalence principle experiments added, conclusions modifie

New Isotropic and Anisotropic Sudden Singularities

We show the existence of an infinite family of finite-time singularities in isotropically expanding universes which obey the weak, strong, and dominant energy conditions. We show what new type of energy condition is needed to exclude them ab initio. We also determine the conditions under which finite-time future singularities can arise in a wide class of anisotropic cosmological models. New types of finite-time singularity are possible which are characterised by divergences in the time-rate of change of the anisotropic-pressure tensor. We investigate the conditions for the formation of finite-time singularities in a Bianchi type $VII_{0}$ universe with anisotropic pressures and construct specific examples of anisotropic sudden singularities in these universes.Comment: Typos corrected. Published versio

On the Possibility of Anisotropic Curvature in Cosmology

In addition to shear and vorticity a homogeneous background may also exhibit anisotropic curvature. Here a class of spacetimes is shown to exist where the anisotropy is solely of the latter type, and the shear-free condition is supported by a canonical, massless 2-form field. Such spacetimes possess a preferred direction in the sky and at the same time a CMB which is isotropic at the background level. A distortion of the luminosity distances is derived and used to test the model against the CMB and supernovae (using the Union catalog), and it is concluded that the latter exhibit a higher-than-expected dependence on angular position. It is shown that future surveys could detect a possible preferred direction by observing ~ 20 / (\Omega_{k0}^2) supernovae over the whole sky.Comment: Extended SNe analysis and corrected some CMB results. Text also extended and references added. 8 pages, 5 figure

Cosmic Evolution and Primordial Black Hole Evaporation

A cosmological model in which primordial black holes (PBHs) are present in the cosmic fluid at some instant t=t_0 is investigated. The time t_0 is naturally identified with the end of the inflationary period. The PBHs are assumed to be nonrelativistic in the comoving fluid, to have the same mass, and may be subject to evaporation for t>t_0. Our present work is related to an earlier paper of Zimdahl and Pavon [Phys. Rev. D {\bf 58}, 103506 (1998)], but in contradistinction to these authors we assume that the (negative) production rate of the PBHs is zero. This assumption appears to us to be more simple and more physical. Consequences of the formalism are worked out. In particular, the four-divergence of the entropy four-vector in combination with the second law in thermodynamics show in a clear way how the the case of PBH evaporation corresponds to a production of entropy. Accretion of radiation onto the black holes is neglected. We consider both a model where two different sub-fluids interact, and a model involving one single fluid only. In the latter case an effective bulk viscosity naturally appears in the formalism.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX, no figures. Extended discussion of the black hole evaporation process. Version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Covariant and locally Lorentz-invariant varying speed of light theories

We propose definitions for covariance and local Lorentz invariance applicable when the speed of light $c$ is allowed to vary. They have the merit of retaining only those aspects of the usual definitions which are invariant under unit transformations, and which can therefore legitimately represent the outcome of an experiment. We then discuss some possibilities for invariant actions governing the dynamics of such theories. We consider first the classical action for matter fields and the effects of a changing $c$ upon quantization. We discover a peculiar form of quantum particle creation due to a varying $c$. We then study actions governing the dynamics of gravitation and the speed of light. We find the free, empty-space, no-gravity solution, to be interpreted as the counterpart of Minkowksi space-time, and highlight its similarities with Fock-Lorentz space-time. We also find flat-space string-type solutions, in which near the string core $c$ is much higher. We label them fast-tracks and compare them with gravitational wormholes. We finally discuss general features of cosmological and black hole solutions, and digress on the meaning of singularities in these theories.Comment: To be published in Physical Review

Scaling Solutions and reconstruction of Scalar Field Potentials

Starting from the hypothesis of scaling solutions, the general exact form of the scalar field potential is found. In the case of two fluids, it turns out to be a negative power of hyperbolic sine. In the case of three fluids the analytic form is not found, but is obtained by quadratures.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, some changes in references and figures caption

Non-universal scalar-tensor theories and big bang nucleosynthesis

We investigate the constraints that can be set from big-bang nucleosynthesis on two classes of models: extended quintessence and scalar-tensor theories of gravity in which the equivalence principle between standard matter and dark matter is violated. In the latter case, and for a massless dilaton with quadratic couplings, the phase space of theories is investigated. We delineate those theories where attraction toward general relativity occurs. It is shown that big-bang nucleosynthesis sets more stringent constraints than those obtained from Solar system tests.Comment: 28 pages, 20 figure

Thin accretion disks onto brane world black holes

The braneworld description of our universe entails a large extra dimension and a fundamental scale of gravity that might be lower by several orders of magnitude as compared to the Planck scale. An interesting consequence of the braneworld scenario is in the nature of the vacuum solutions of the brane gravitational field equations, with properties quite distinct as compared to the standard black hole solutions of general relativity. One possibility of observationally discriminating between different types of black holes is the study of the emission properties of the accretion disks. In the present paper we obtain the energy flux, the emission spectrum and accretion efficiency from the accretion disks around several classes of static and rotating brane world black holes, and we compare them to the general relativistic case. Particular signatures can appear in the electromagnetic spectrum, thus leading to the possibility of directly testing extra-dimensional physical models by using astrophysical observations of the emission spectra from accretion disks.Comment: 37 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in PR

Cosmological dynamics of exponential gravity

We present a detailed investigation of the cosmological dynamics based on $\exp (-R/{\Lambda})$ gravity. We apply the dynamical system approach to both the vacuum and matter cases and obtain exact solutions and their stability in the finite and asymptotic regimes. The results show that cosmic histories exist which admit a double de-Sitter phase which could be useful for describing the early and the late-time accelerating universe.Comment: 17 pages LaTeX, 3 figure

Structure and stability of the Lukash plane-wave spacetime

We study the vacuum, plane-wave Bianchi $VII{}_{h}$ spacetimes described by the Lukash metric. Combining covariant with orthonormal frame techniques, we describe these models in terms of their irreducible kinematical and geometrical quantities. This covariant description is used to study analytically the response of the Lukash spacetime to linear perturbations. We find that the stability of the vacuum solution depends crucially on the background shear anisotropy. The stronger the deviation from the Hubble expansion, the more likely the overall linear instability of the model. Our analysis addresses rotational, shear and Weyl curvature perturbations and identifies conditions sufficient for the linear growth of these distortions.Comment: Revised version, references added. To appear in Class. Quantum Gra