arXiv subjects

Georgios Kofinas

Publications and source records attributed to Georgios Kofinas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2021

Effective field equations and scale-dependent couplings in gravity

A new set of field equations for a space-time dependent Newton's constant $G(x)$ and cosmological constant $Λ(x)$ in the presence of matter is presented. We prove that it represents the most general mathematically consistent, physically plausible, set of evolution equations assuming at most second derivatives in the dynamical variables. In the new Einstein's equations, only $Λ$-kinetic terms arise, while in the modified conservation equation, derivative terms of $G$ also appear. As an application, this formalism is applied in the context of the Asymptotic Safety scenario to the early universe, assuming a perfect fluid with a radiation equation of state. Cosmological solutions are obtained for all types of spatial curvature, displaying a variety of interesting cosmic evolutions. As an indication of such behaviours, bouncing solutions, recollapsing solutions or non-singular expanding solutions with a transient acceleration era are discussed in details.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

IR quantum gravity solves naturally cosmic acceleration and its coincidence problem

The novel idea is that the undergoing accelerated expansion of the universe happens due to infrared quantum gravity modifications at intermediate astrophysical scales of galaxies or galaxy clusters, within the framework of Asymptotically Safe gravity. The reason is that structures of matter are associated with a scale-dependent positive cosmological constant of quantum origin. In this context, no extra unproven energy scales or fine-tuning are used. Furthermore, this model was confronted with the most recent observational data from a variety of probes, and with the aid of Bayesian analysis, the most probable values of the free parameters were extracted. Finally, the model proved to be statistically equivalent with $Λ$CDM, and thus being able to resolve naturally the concept of dark energy and its associated cosmic coincidence problem.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Singularities and Phenomenological aspects of Asymptotic Safe Gravity

Asymptotic Safety (AS) Program for quantum gravity keeps the same fields and symmetries with General Relativity and studies the associated gravitational action as a fundamental part of the complete theory at the nonperturbative level with the help of functional renormalization group (RG) techniques. An important phenomenological task that can test the new point of view of AS approach is the discovery of RG improved cosmologies and black holes. In this work, we analyze the properties of recently found non-singular spherically symmetric and non-singular cosmological solutions. Furthermore, we derive a novel consistent set of modified Einstein field equations, in the spirit of AS, which respects the Bianchi identities. This new set of equations extend previously published modified Einstein equations which arise by adding appropriate covariant kinetic terms to the action.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Constraining the Asymptotically Safe Cosmology: cosmic acceleration without dark energy

A recently proposed Asymptotically Safe cosmology provides an elegant mechanism towards understanding the nature of dark energy and its associated cosmic coincidence problem. The underlying idea is that the accelerated expansion of the universe can occur due to infrared quantum gravity modifications at intermediate astrophysical scales (galaxies or galaxy clusters) which produce local anti-gravity sources. In this cosmological model no extra unproven energy scales or fine-tuning are used. In this study the Asymptotically Safe model is confronted with the most recent observational data from low-redshift probes, namely measurements of the Hubble parameter, standard candles (Pantheon SnIa, Quasi-stellar objects), Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAOs) and high redshift probes (CMB shift parameters). Performing an overall likelihood analysis we constrain the free parameters of the model and we test its performance against the concordance model (flat $Λ$CDM) utilizing a large family of information criteria. We find that the Asymptotically Safe model is statistically equivalent with $Λ$CDM, hence it can be seen as a viable and very efficient cosmological alternative.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2018

A solution of the dark energy and its coincidence problem based on local antigravity sources without fine-tuning or new scales

A novel idea is proposed for a natural solution of the dark energy and its cosmic coincidence problem. The existence of local antigravity sources, associated with astrophysical matter configurations distributed throughout the universe, can lead to a recent cosmic acceleration effect. Various physical theories can be compatible with this idea, but here, in order to test our proposal, we focus on quantum originated spherically symmetric metrics matched with the cosmological evolution through the simplest Swiss cheese model. In the context of asymptotically safe gravity, we have explained the observed amount of dark energy using Newton's constant, the galaxy or cluster length scales, and dimensionless order one parameters predicted by the theory, without fine-tuning or extra unproven energy scales. The interior modified Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric allows us to approximately interpret this result as that the standard cosmological constant is a composite quantity made of the above parameters, instead of a fundamental one.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Is the use of Christoffel connection in gravity theories conceptually correct?

Christoffel connection did not enter gravity as an axiom of minimal length for the free fall of particles (where anyway length action is not defined for massless particles), nor out of economy, but from the weak equivalence principle (gravitational force is equivalent to acceleration according to Einstein) together with the identification of the local inertial frame with the local Lorentz one. This identification implies that the orbits of all particles are given by the geodesics of the Christoffel connection. Here, we show that in the presence of only massless particles (absence of massive particles) the above identification is inconsistent and does not lead to any connection. The proof is based on the existence of projectively equivalent connections and the absence of proper time for null particles. If a connection derived by some kinematical principles for the particles is to be applied in the world, it is better these principles to be valid in all relevant spacetime rather than different principles to give different connections in different spacetime regions. Therefore, our result stated above may imply a conceptual insufficiency of the use of the Christoffel connection in the early universe where only massless particles are expected to be present (whenever at least some notions, like orbits, are meaningful), and thus of the total use of this connection. If in the early universe the notion of a massive particle, which appears latter in time, cannot be used, in an analogous way in a causally disconnected high-energy region (maybe deep interior of astrophysical objects or black holes) the same conclusions could be extracted if only massless particles are present.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2017

Dynamics of cosmological perturbations in modified Brans-Dicke cosmology with matter-scalar field interaction

In this work we focus on a novel completion of the well-known Brans-Dicke theory that introduces an interaction between the dark energy and dark matter sectors, known as complete Brans-Dicke (CBD) theory. We obtain viable cosmological accelerating solutions that fit Supernovae observations with great precision without any scalar potential $V(ϕ)$. We use these solutions to explore the impact of the CBD theory on the large scale structure by studying the dynamics of its linear perturbations. We observe a growing behavior of the lensing potential $Φ_{+}$ at late-times, while the growth rate is actually suppressed relatively to $Λ$CDM, which allows the CBD theory to provide a competitive fit to current RSD measurements of $fσ_{8}$. However, we also observe that the theory exhibits a pathological change of sign in the effective gravitational constant concerning the perturbations on sub-horizon scales that could pose a challenge to its validity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Modified Brans-Dicke cosmology with matter-scalar field interaction

We discuss the cosmological implications of an extended Brans-Dicke theory presented recently, in which there is an energy exchange between the scalar field and ordinary matter, determined by the theory. A new mass scale is generated in the theory which modifies the Friedmann equations with field-dependent corrected kinetic terms. In a radiation universe the general solutions are found and there are branches with complete removal of the initial singularity, while at the same time a transient accelerating period can occur within deceleration. Entropy production is also possible in the early universe. In the dust era, late-times acceleration has been found numerically in agreement with the correct behaviour of the density parameters and the dark energy equation of state, while the gravitational constant has only a slight variation over a large redshift interval in agreement with observational bounds.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

On the action of the complete Brans-Dicke theory

Recently the most general completion of Brans-Dicke theory was appeared with energy exchanged between the scalar field and ordinary matter, given that the equation of motion for the scalar field keeps the simple wave form of Brans-Dicke. This class of theories contain undetermined functions, but there exist only three theories which are unambiguously determined from consistency. Here, for the first such theory, it is found the action of the vacuum theory which arises as the limit of the full matter theory. A symmetry transformation of this vacuum action in the Jordan frame is found which consists of a conformal transformation of the metric together with a redefinition of the scalar field. Since the general family of vacuum theories is parametrized by an arbitrary function of the scalar field, the action of this family is also found. As for the full matter theory it is only found the action of the system when the matter Lagrangian vanishes on-shell, as for example for pressureless dust. Due to the interaction, this matter Lagrangian is non-minimally coupled either in the Jordan or the Einstein frame.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

The complete Brans-Dicke theories

Given that the simple wave equation of Brans-Dicke theory for the scalar field is preserved, we have investigated, through exhaustively analyzing the Bianchi identities, the consistent theories which violate the exact energy conservation equation. It is found that only three theories exist which are unambiguously determined from consistency, without imposing arbitrary functions by hand. Each of these theories possesses a specific interaction term which controls the energy exchange between the scalar field and ordinary matter. The theories contain new parameters (integration constants from the integration procedure) and when these are switched-off, Brans-Dicke theory emerges. As usually, the vacuum theories can be defined from the complete Brans-Dicke theories when the matter energy-momentum tensor vanishes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Asymptotically Safe gravity and non-singular inflationary Big Bang with vacuum birth

General non-singular accelerating cosmological solutions for an initial cosmic period of pure vacuum birth era are derived. This vacuum era is described by a varying cosmological "constant" suggested by the Renormalisation Group flow of Asymptotic Safety scenario near the ultraviolet fixed point. In this scenario, natural exit from inflation to the standard decelerating cosmology occurs when the energy scale lowers and the cosmological "constant" becomes insignificant. In the following period where matter is also present, cosmological solutions with characteristics similar to the vacuum case are generated. Remarkably the set of equations allow for particle production and entropy generation. Alternatively, in the case of non-zero bulk viscosity, entropy production and reheating is found. As for the equations of motion, they modify Einstein equations by adding covariant kinetic terms of the cosmological "constant" which respect the Bianchi identities. An advance of the proposed framework is that it ensures a consistent description of both a quantum vacuum birth of the universe and a subsequent cosmic era in the presence of matter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Hyperscaling violating black holes in scalar-torsion theories

We study a gravity theory where a scalar field with potential, beyond its minimal coupling, is also coupled through a non-minimal derivative coupling with the torsion scalar which is the teleparallel equivalent of Einstein gravity. This theory provides second order equations of motion and we find large-distance non-perturbative static spherically symmetric four-dimensional solutions. Among them a general class of black hole solutions is found for some range of the parameters/integration constants with asymptotics of the form of hyperscaling violating Lifshitz spacetime with spherical horizon topology. Although the scalar field diverges at the horizon, its energy density and pressures are finite there. From the astrophysical point of view, this solution provides extra deflection of light compared to the Newtonian deflection.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Avoidance of singularities in asymptotically safe Quantum Einstein Gravity

New general spherically symmetric solutions have been derived with a cosmological "constant" Λas a source. This Λfield is not constant but it satisfies the properties of the asymptotically safe gravity at the ultraviolet fixed point. The importance of these solutions comes from the fact that they describe the near to the centre region of black hole spacetimes as this is modified by the Renormalization Group scaling behaviour of the fields. The consistent set of field equations which respect the Bianchi identities is derived and solved. One of the solutions (with conventional sign of temporal-radial metric components) is timelike geodesically complete, and although there is still a curvature divergent origin, this is never approachable by an infalling massive particle which is reflected at a finite distance due to the repulsive origin. Another family of solutions (of both signatures) range from a finite radius outwards, they cannot be extended to the centre of spherical symmetry, and the curvature invariants are finite at the minimum radius.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Conformal mass in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet AdS gravity

In this paper, we show that the physical information given by conserved charges for asymptotically AdS spacetimes in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet AdS gravity is encoded in the electric part of the Weyl tensor. This result generalizes the conformal mass definition by Ashtekar-Magnon-Das (AMD) to a gravity theory with a Gauss-Bonnet term. This proof makes use of the Noether charges obtained from an action renormalized by the addition of counterterms which depend on the extrinsic curvature (Kounterterms). If the asymptotic fall-off behaviour of the Weyl tensor is same as the one considered in the AMD method, then the Kounterterm charges and the AMD charges agree in any dimension.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Efficient electroweak baryogenesis by black holes

A novel cosmological scenario, capable to generate the observed baryon number at the electroweak scale for very small CP violating angles, is presented. The proposed mechanism can be applied in conventional FRW cosmology, but becomes extremely efficient due to accretion in the context of early cosmic expansion with high energy modifications. Assuming that our universe is a Randall-Sundrum brane, baryon asymmetry can easily be produced by Hawking radiation of very small primordial black holes. The Hawking radiation reheats a spherical region around every black hole to a high temperature and the electroweak symmetry is restored there. A domain wall is formed separating the region with the symmetric vacuum from the asymmetric region where electroweak baryogenesis takes place. First order phase transition is not needed. The black holes's lifetime is prolonged due to accretion, resulting to strong efficiency of the baryon producing mechanism. The allowed by the mechanism black hole mass range includes masses that are energetically favoured to be produced from interactions around the higher dimensional Planck scale.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Self-Gravitating Spherically Symmetric Solutions in Scalar-Torsion Theories

We studied spherically symmetric solutions in scalar-torsion gravity theories in which a scalar field is coupled to torsion with a derivative coupling. We obtained the general field equations from which we extracted a decoupled master equation, the solution of which leads to the specification of all other unknown functions. We first obtained an exact solution which represents a new wormhole-like solution dressed with a regular scalar field. Then, we found large distance linearized spherically symmetric solutions in which the space asymptotically is AdS.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Cosmological solutions and observational constraints on 5-dimensional braneworld cosmology with gravitating Nambu-Goto matching conditions

We investigate the cosmological implications of the recently constructed 5-dimensional braneworld cosmology with gravitating Nambu-Goto matching conditions. Inserting both matter and radiation sectors, we first extract the analytical cosmological solutions. Additionally, we use observational data from Type Ia Supernovae (SNIa) and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), along with requirements of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), in order to impose constraints on the parameters of the model. We find that the scenario at hand is in very good agreement with observations, and thus a small departure from the standard Randall-Sundrum scenario is allowed.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Cosmological applications of $F(T,T_G)$ gravity

We investigate the cosmological applications of $F(T,T_G)$ gravity, which is a novel modified gravitational theory based on the torsion invariant $T$ and the teleparallel equivalent of the Gauss-Bonnet term $T_{G}$. $F(T,T_{G})$ gravity differs from both $F(T)$ theories as well as from $F(R,G)$ class of curvature modified gravity, and thus its corresponding cosmology proves to be very interesting. In particular, it provides a unified description of the cosmological history from early-times inflation to late-times self-acceleration, without the inclusion of a cosmological constant. Moreover, the dark energy equation-of-state parameter can be quintessence or phantom-like, or experience the phantom-divide crossing, depending on the parameters of the model.

gr-qc↗