Hunting for Isocurvature Modes in the CMB non-Gaussianities

We investigate new shapes of local primordial non-Gaussianities in the CMB. Allowing for a primordial isocurvature mode along with the main adiabatic one, the angular bispectrum is in general a superposition of six distinct shapes: the usual adiabatic term, a purely isocurvature component and four additional components that arise from correlations between the adiabatic and isocurvature modes. We present a class of early Universe models in which various hierarchies between these six components can be obtained, while satisfying the present upper bound on the isocurvature fraction in the power spectrum. Remarkably, even with this constraint, detectable non-Gaussianity could be produced by isocurvature modes. We finally discuss the prospects of detecting these new shapes with the Planck satellite.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure

General treatment of isocurvature perturbations and non-Gaussianities

We present a general formalism that provides a systematic computation of the linear and non-linear perturbations for an arbitrary number of cosmological fluids in the early Universe going through various transitions, in particular the decay of some species (such as a curvaton or a modulus). Using this formalism, we revisit the question of isocurvature non-Gaussianities in the mixed inflaton-curvaton scenario and show that one can obtain significant non-Gaussianities dominated by the isocurvature mode while satisfying the present constraints on the isocurvature contribution in the observed power spectrum. We also study two-curvaton scenarios, taking into account the production of dark matter, and investigate in which cases significant non-Gaussianities can be produced.Comment: Substantial improvements with respect to the first version. In particular, we added a discussion on the confrontation of the models with future observational data. This version is accepted for publication in JCA

Relativistic stars in f(R) and scalar-tensor theories

We study relativistic stars in the context of scalar tensor theories of gravity that try to account for the observed cosmic acceleration and satisfy the local gravity constraints via the chameleon mechanism. More specifically, we consider two types of models: scalar tensor theories with an inverse power law potential and f(R) theories. Using a relaxation algorithm, we construct numerically static relativistic stars, both for constant energy density configurations and for a polytropic equation of state. We can reach a gravitational potential up to $\Phi\sim 0.3$ at the surface of the star, even in f(R) theories with an "unprotected" curvature singularity. However, we find static configurations only if the pressure does not exceed one third of the energy density, except possibly in a limited region of the star (otherwise, one expects tachyonic instabilities to develop). This constraint is satisfied by realistic equations of state for neutron stars.Comment: 20 pages, 10 Figs, revtex4; v2. minor corrections and changes; v3: a few changes, matches published versio

Differential rotation of relativistic superfluid in neutron stars

It is shown how to set up a mathematically elegant and fully relativistic superfluid model that can provide a realistic approximation (neglecting small anisotropies due to crust solidity, magnetic fields, et cetera, but allowing for the regions with vortex pinning) of the global structure of a rotating neutron star, in terms of just two independently moving constituents, one of which represents the differentially rotating neutron superfluid, while the other part represents the combination of all the other ingredients, including the degenerate electrons, the superfluid protons in the core, and the ions in the crust, whose electromagnetic interactions will tend to keep them locked together in a state of approximately rigid rotation. Order of magnitude estimates are provided for relevant parameters such as the resistive drag coefficient and the maximum pinning force.Comment: 35 pages, Latex, no figure, submitted to M.N.R.A.

Scalar Kaluza-Klein modes in a multiply warped braneworld

The Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes of a massive scalar field on a 3-brane embedded in six dimensional multiply warped spacetime are determined. Due to the presence of warping along both the extra dimensions the KK mass spectrum splits into two closely spaced branches which is a distinct feature of this model compared to the five dimensional Randall-Sundrum model. This new cluster of the KK mode spectrum is expected to have interesting phenomenological implications for the upcoming collider experiments. Such a scenario may also be extended for even larger number of orbifolded extra dimensions.Comment: 10 pages, Revte

Cosmological CMBR dipole in open universes ?

The observed CMBR dipole is generally interpreted as a Doppler effect arising from the motion of the Earth relative to the CMBR frame. An alternative interpretation, proposed in the last years, is that the dipole results from ultra-large scale isocurvature perturbations. We examine this idea in the context of open cosmologies and show that the isocurvature interpretation is not valid in an open universe, unless it is extremely close to a flat universe, $|\Omega_0 -1|< 10^{-4}$.Comment: 26 pages, Latex, 6 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.