Anthony W. Brookfield

arXiv2008

Neutrino Dark Energy -- Revisiting the Stability Issue

A coupling between a light scalar field and neutrinos has been widely discussed as a mechanism for linking (time varying) neutrino masses and the present energy density and equation of state of dark energy. However, it has been pointed out that the viability of this scenario in the non-relativistic neutrino regime is threatened by the strong growth of hydrodynamic perturbations associated with a negative adiabatic sound speed squared. In this paper we revisit the stability issue in the framework of linear perturbation theory in a model independent way. The criterion for the stability of a model is translated into a constraint on the scalar-neutrino coupling, which depends on the ratio of the energy densities in neutrinos and cold dark matter. We illustrate our results by providing meaningful examples both for stable and unstable models.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Viability of f(R) Theories with Additional Powers of Curvature

We consider a modified gravity theory, f(R)=R-a/R^n+bR^m, in the metric formulation, which has been suggested to produce late time acceleration in the Universe, whilst satisfying local fifth-force constraints. We investigate the parameter range for this theory, considering the regimes of early and late-time acceleration, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and fifth-force constraints. We conclude that it is difficult to find a unique range of parameters for consistency of this theory.

hep-th↗