arXiv subjects

Douglas J. Shaw

Publications and source records attributed to Douglas J. Shaw.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2012

Modified Gravity Makes Galaxies Brighter

We investigate the effect of modifed gravity with screening mechanisms, such as the chameleon or symmetron models, upon the structure of main sequence stars. We find that unscreened stars can be significantly more luminous and ephemeral than their screened doppelgangers. By embedding these stars into dwarf galaxies, which can be unscreened for values of the parameters not yet ruled out observationally, we show that the cumulative effect of their increased luminosity can enhance the total galactic luminosity. We estimate this enhancement and find that it can be considerable given model parameters that are still under experimental scrutiny. By looking for systematic offsets between screened dwarf galaxies in clusters and unscreened galaxies in voids, these effects could form the basis of an independent observational test that can potentially lower the current experimental bounds on the model independent parameters of these theories by and order of magnitude or more.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Linear Growth of Structure in the Symmetron Model

In the symmetron mechanism, the fifth force mediated by a coupled scalar field (the symmetron) is suppressed in high-density regions due to the restoration of symmetry in the symmetron potential. In this paper we study the background cosmology and large scale structure formation in the linear perturbation regime of the symmetron model. Analytic solutions to the symmetron in the cosmological background are found, which agree well with numerical results. We discuss the effect of the symmetron perturbation on the growth of matter perturbation, in particular the implications of the brief period of tachyonic instability caused by the negative mass squared of the symmetron during symmetry breaking. Our analysis and numerical results show that this instability has only very small effects on the growth of structures on sub-horizon scales, and even at horizon scales its influence is not as drastic as naively expected. The symmetron fifth force in the non-tachyonic regime does affect the formation of structure in a nontrivial way which could be cosmologically observable.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

The Value of the Cosmological Constant

We make the cosmological constant, Λ, into a field and restrict the variations of the action with respect to it by causality. This creates an additional Einstein constraint equation. It restricts the solutions of the standard Einstein equations and is the requirement that the cosmological wave function possess a classical limit. When applied to the Friedmann metric it requires that the cosmological constant measured today, t_{U}, be Λ ~ t_{U}^(-2) ~ 10^(-122), as observed. This is the classical value of Λ that dominates the wave function of the universe. Our new field equation determines Λ in terms of other astronomically measurable quantities. Specifically, it predicts that the spatial curvature parameter of the universe is Ω_{k0} \equiv -k/a_(0)^(2)H^2= -0.0055, which will be tested by Planck Satellite data. Our theory also creates a new picture of self-consistent quantum cosmological history.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Nonlinear Structure Formation with the Environmentally Dependent Dilaton

We have studied the nonlinear structure formation of the environmentally dependent dilaton model using $N$-body simulations. We find that the mechanism of suppressing the scalar fifth force in high-density regions works very well. Within the parameter space allowed by the solar system tests, the dilaton model predicts small deviations of the matter power spectrum and the mass function from their $Λ$CDM counterparts. The importance of taking full account of the nonlinearity of the model is also emphasized.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

A Testable Solution of the Cosmological Constant and Coincidence Problems

We present a new solution to the cosmological constant (CC) and coincidence problems in which the observed value of the CC, $Λ$, is linked to other observable properties of the universe. This is achieved by promoting the CC from a parameter which must to specified, to a field which can take many possible values. The observed value of Lambda ~ 1/(9.3 Gyrs)^2$ (approximately 10^(-120) in Planck units) is determined by a new constraint equation which follows from the application of a causally restricted variation principle. When applied to our visible universe, the model makes a testable prediction for the dimensionless spatial curvature of Omega_k0 = -0.0056 s_b/0.5; where s_b ~ 1/2 is a QCD parameter. Requiring that a classical history exist, our model determines the probability of observing a given Lambda. The observed CC value, which we successfully predict, is typical within our model even before the effects of anthropic selection are included. When anthropic selection effects are accounted for, we find that the observed coincidence between t_Lambda = Lambda^(-1/2) and the age of the universe, t_U, is a typical occurrence in our model. In contrast to multiverse explanations of the CC problems, our solution is independent of the choice of a prior weighting of different $Λ$-values and does not rely on anthropic selection effects. Our model includes no unnatural small parameters and does not require the introduction of new dynamical scalar fields or modifications to general relativity, and it can be tested by astronomical observations in the near future.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

A New Solution of The Cosmological Constant Problems

We extend the usual gravitational action principle by promoting the bare cosmological constant (CC) from a parameter to a field which can take many possible values. Variation leads to a new integral constraint equation which determines the classical value of the effective CC that dominates the wave function of the universe. In a realistic cosmological model, the expected value of the effective CC, is calculated from measurable quantities to be O(t_U), as observed, where t_U is the present age of the universe in Planck units,. Any application of our model produces a falsifiable prediction for $Λ$ in terms of other measurable quantities. This leads to a specific falsifiable prediction for the observed spatial curvature parameter of Omega_k0=-0.0055. Our testable proposal requires no fine tunings or extra dark-energy fields but does suggest a new view of time and cosmological evolution.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

The Chameleonic Contribution to the SZ Radial Profile of the Coma Cluster

We constrain the chameleonic Sunyaev--Zel'dovich (CSZ) effect in the Coma cluster from measurements of the Coma radial profile presented in the WMAP 7-year results. The CSZ effect arises from the interaction of a scalar (or pseudoscalar) particle with the cosmic microwave background in the magnetic field of galaxy clusters. We combine this radial profile data with SZ measurements towards the centre of the Coma cluster in different frequency bands, to find Delta T_{SZ,RJ}(0)=-400+/-40 microKelvin and Delta T_{CSZ}^{204 GHz}(0)=-20+/-15 microKelvin (68% CL) for the thermal SZ and CSZ effects in the cluster respectively. The central value leads to an estimate of the photon to scalar (or pseudoscalar) coupling strength of g = (5.2 - 23.8) x 10^{-10} GeV^{-1}, while the 95% confidence bound is estimated to be g < (8.7 - 39.4) x 10^{-10} GeV^{-1}.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Dark spinor models in gravitation and cosmology

We introduce and carefully define an entire class of field theories based on non-standard spinors. Their dominant interaction is via the gravitational field which makes them naturally dark; we refer to them as Dark Spinors. We provide a critical analysis of previous proposals for dark spinors noting that they violate Lorentz invariance. As a working assumption we restrict our analysis to non-standard spinors which preserve Lorentz invariance, whilst being non-local and explicitly construct such a theory. We construct the complete energy-momentum tensor and derive its components explicitly by assuming a specific projection operator. It is natural to next consider dark spinors in a cosmological setting. We find various interesting solutions where the spinor field leads to slow roll and fast roll de Sitter solutions. We also analyse models where the spinor is coupled conformally to gravity, and consider the perturbations and stability of the spinor.

hep-th↗

arXiv2010

The Dilaton and Modified Gravity

We consider the dilaton in the strong string coupling limit and elaborate on the original idea of Damour and Polyakov whereby the dilaton coupling to matter has a minimum with a vanishing value at finite field-value. Combining this type of coupling with an exponential potential, the effective potential of the dilaton becomes matter density dependent. We study the background cosmology, showing that the dilaton can play the role of dark energy. We also analyse the constraints imposed by the absence of violation of the equivalence principle. Imposing these constraints and assuming that the dilaton plays the role of dark energy, we consider the consequences of the dilaton on large scale structures and in particular the behaviour of the slip functions and the growth index at low redshift.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Varying Constants: Constraints from Seasonal Variations

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Searching for Axion-like Particles with Active Galactic Nuclei

Strong mixing between photons and axion-like particles in the magnetic fields of clusters of galaxies induces a scatter in the observed luminosities of compact sources in the cluster. This is used to construct a new test for axion-like particles; applied to observations of active galactic nuclei it is strongly suggestive of the existence of a light axion-like particle.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

The Effect of a Chameleon Scalar Field on the Cosmic Microwave Background

We show that a direct coupling between a chameleon-like scalar field and photons can give rise to a modified Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). The coupling induces a mixing between chameleon particles and the CMB photons when they pass through the magnetic field of a galaxy cluster. Both the intensity and the polarization of the radiation are modified. The degree of modification depends strongly on the properties of the galaxy cluster such as magnetic field strength and electron number density. Existing SZ measurements of the Coma cluster enable us to place constraints on the photon-chameleon coupling. The constrained conversion probability in the cluster is P_Coma(204 GHz) < 6.2 * 10^{-5} at 95% confidence, corresponding to an upper bound on the coupling strength of g_eff < 2.2 * 10^{-8} GeV^-1 or g_eff < 7.2-32.5 * 10^{-10} GeV^-1, depending on the model that is assumed for the cluster magnetic field structure. We predict the radial profile of the chameleonic CMB intensity decrement. We find that the chameleon effect extends further towards the edges of the cluster than the thermal SZ effect. Thus we might see a discrepancy between the X-ray emission data and the observed SZ intensity decrement. We further predict the expected change to the CMB polarization arising from the existence of a chameleon-like scalar field. These predictions could be verified or constrained by future CMB experiments.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Detecting Chameleons: The Astronomical Polarization Produced by Chameleon-like Scalar Fields

We show that a coupling between chameleon-like scalar fields and photons induces linear and circular polarization in the light from astrophysical sources. In this context chameleon-like scalar fields includes those of the Olive-Pospelov (OP) model describing a varying fine structure constant. We determine the form of this polarization numerically and give analytic expressions in two useful limits. By comparing the predicted signal with current observations we are able to improve the constraints on the chameleon-photon coupling and the coupling in the OP model by over two orders of magnitude. It is argued that, if observed, the distinctive form of the chameleon induced circular polarization would represent a smoking gun for the presence of a chameleon. We also report a tentative statistical detection of a chameleon-like scalar field from observations of starlight polarization in our galaxy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2009

Active Galactic Nuclei Shed Light on Axion-like-Particles

We demonstrate that the scatter in the luminosity relations of astrophysical objects can be used to search for axion-like-particles (ALPs). This analysis is applied to observations of active galactic nuclei, where we find evidence strongly suggestive of the existence of a very light ALP.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Indistinguishable Macroscopic Behaviour of Palatini Gravities and General Relativity

We show that, within some modified gravity theories, such as the Palatini models, the non-linear nature of the field equations implies that the usual naive averaging procedure (replacing the microscopic energy-momentum by its cosmological average) could be invalid. As a consequence, the relative motion of particles in Palatini theories is actually indistinguishable from that predicted by General Relativity. Moreover, there is no WEP violation. Our new and most important result is that the cosmology and astrophysics, or put more generally, the behaviours on macroscopic scales, predicted by these two theories are the same, and as a result the naturalness problems associated with the cosmological constant are not alleviated. Palatini gravity does however predict alterations to the internal structure of particles and the particle physics laws, e.g., corrections to the hydrogen energy levels. Measurements of which place strong constraints on the properties of viable Palatini gravities.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Varying Alpha: New Constraints from Seasonal Variations

We analyse the constraints obtained from new atomic clock data on the possible time variation of the fine structure `constant' and the electron-proton mass ratio and show how they are strengthened when the seasonal variation of Sun's gravitational field at the Earth's surface is taken into account. We compare these bounds with those obtainable from tests of the Weak Equivalence Principle and high-redshift observations of quasar absorption spectra consistent with time variations in the fine structure constant.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

f(R) Gravity and Chameleon Theories

We analyse f(R) modifications of Einstein's gravity as dark energy models in the light of their connection with chameleon theories. Formulated as scalar-tensor theories, the f(R) theories imply the existence of a strong coupling of the scalar field to matter. This would violate all experimental gravitational tests on deviations from Newton's law. Fortunately, the existence of a matter dependent mass and a thin shell effect allows one to alleviate these constraints. The thin shell condition also implies strong restrictions on the cosmological dynamics of the f(R) theories. As a consequence, we find that the equation of state of dark energy is constrained to be extremely close to -1 in the recent past. We also examine the potential effects of f(R) theories in the context of the Eot-wash experiments. We show that the requirement of a thin shell for the test bodies is not enough to guarantee a null result on deviations from Newton's law. As long as dark energy accounts for a sizeable fraction of the total energy density of the Universe, the constraints which we deduce also forbid any measurable deviation of the dark energy equation of state from -1. All in all, we find that both cosmological and laboratory tests imply that f(R) models are almost coincident with a Lambda-CDM model at the background level.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Microscopic and Macroscopic Behaviors of Palatini Modified Gravity Theories

We show that, within modified gravity, the non-linear nature of the field equations implies that the usual naive averaging procedure (replacing the microscopic energy-momentum by its cosmological average) is invalid. We discuss then how the averaging should be performed correctly and show that, as a consequence, at classical level the physical masses and geodesics of particles, cosmology and astrophysics in Palatini modified gravity theories are all indistinguishable from the results of general relativity plus a cosmological constant. Palatini gravity is however a different theory from general relativity and predicts different internal structures of particles from the latter. On the other hand, and in contrast to classical particles, the electromagnetic field permeates in the space, hence a different averaging procedure should be applied here. We show that in general Palatini gravity theories would then affect the propagation of photons, thus changing the behaviour of a Universe dominated by radiation. Finally, Palatini theories also predict alterations to particle physics laws. For example, it can lead to sensitive corrections to the hydrogen energy levels, the measurements of which could be used to place very strong constraints on the properties of viable Palatini gravity theories

gr-qc↗