arXiv subjects

Hermano Velten

Publications and source records attributed to Hermano Velten.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Cosmology from a new non-conservative gravity

In this paper we present a cosmological model arising from a non-conservative gravitational theory proposed in [PRD 95, 101501(R) (2017)]. The novel feature where comparing with previous implementations of dissipative effects in gravity is the possible arising of such phenomena from a least action principle, so they are of a purely geometric nature. We derive the dynamical equations describing the behaviour of the cosmic background, considering a single fluid model composed by pressureles matter, whereas the dark energy is conceived as an outcome of the "geometric" dissipative process emerging in the model. Besides, adopting the synchronous gauge we obtain the first-order perturbative equations which shall describe the evolution of the matter perturbations within the linear regime.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Reply to Comment [arXiv:1707.00747] by P. H. R. S. Moraes, R. A. C. Correa and G. Ribeiro on "Cosmological inviability of $f(R,T)$ gravity" [H. Velten and Thiago R. P. Caramês, Phys. Rev. D 95 (2017) 123536, arXiv:1702.07710]

In this Reply we reassert the failure of the model $f(R,T)=R+αT+ βT^2$ in providing a transition from deceleration to an accelerated stage as we have pointed out in [H. Velten and Thiago R. P. Caramês, Phys. Rev. D 95 (2017) 123536]. We remark that the such a Comment is essentially based on a typo which clearly does not propagate to the rest of the equations and then does not affect our conclusions. Besides, the authors mentioned an equation for the evolution of the scale factor, already previously used in [P.H.R.S. Moraes, G. Ribeiro and R.A.C. Correa, Astrophys. Space Sci. {\bf 361} 227, (2016)], which we have shown to be wrong and dimensionally inconsistent.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Revealing the non-adiabatic nature of dark energy perturbations from galaxy clustering data

We study structure formation using relativistic cosmological linear perturbation theory in the presence of intrinsic and relative (with respect to matter) non-adiabatic dark energy perturbations. For different dark energy models we assess the impact of non-adiabaticity on the matter growth promoting a comparison with growth rate data. The dark energy models studied lead to peculiar signatures of the (non)adiabatic nature of dark energy perturbations in the evolution of the $f σ_{8}(z)$ observable. We show that non-adiabatic DE models become close to be degenerated with respect to the $Λ$CDM model at first order in linear perturbations. This would avoid the identification of the non-adiabatic nature of dark energy using current available data. Therefore, such evidence indicates that new probes are necessary to reveal the non-adiabatic features in the dark energy sector.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2017

Cosmological inviability of $f(R,T)$ gravity

Among many alternative gravitational theories to General Relativity (GR), $f(R,T)$ gravity (where $R$ is the Ricci scalar and $T$ the trace of the energy-momentum tensor) has been widely studied recently. By adding a matter contribution to the gravitational Lagrangian, $f(R,T)$ theories have become an interesting extension to GR displaying a broad phenomenology in astrophysics and cosmology. In this paper, we discuss however the difficulties appearing in explaining a viable and realistic cosmology within the $f(R,T)$ class of theories. Our results challenge the viability of $f(R,T)$ as an alternative modification of gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Limits on the anomalous speed of gravitational waves from binary pulsars

A large class of modified theories of gravity used as models for dark energy predict a propagation speed for gravitational waves which can differ from the speed of light. This difference of propagations speeds for photons and gravitons has an impact in the emission of gravitational waves by binary systems. Thus, we revisit the usual quadrupolar emission of binary system for an arbitrary propagation speed of gravitational waves and obtain the corresponding period decay formula. We then use timing data from the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar and obtain that the speed of gravitational waves can only differ from the speed of light at the percentage level. This bound places tight constraints on dark energy models featuring an anomalous propagations speed for the gravitational waves.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Equilibrium and stability of relativistic stars in extended theories of gravity

We study static, spherically symmetric equilibrium configurations in extended theories of gravity (ETG) following the notation introduced by Capozziello et {\it al}. We calculate the differential equations for the stellar structure in such theories in a very generic form i.e., the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff generalization for any ETG is introduced. Stability analysis is also investigated with special focus on the particular example of scalar-tensor gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Degeneracy between warm and coupled cold dark matter: A clarifying note

Wei et al [PRD 88, 043510 (2013)] have proposed the existence of a cosmological degeneracy between warm dark matter (WDM), modified gravity and coupled cold dark matter (CDM) cosmologies at both the background expansion and the growth of density perturbation levels, i.e., corresponding cosmological data would not be able to differentiate such scenarios. Here, we will focus on the specific indistinguishability between a warm dark matter plus cosmological constant ($Λ$) and coupled scalar field-CDM scenarios. Although the statement of Wei et al is true for very specific conditions we present a more complete discussion on this issue and show in more detail that these models are indeed distinguishable. We show that the degeneracy breaks down since coupled models leave a specific signature in the redshift space distortion data which is absent in the uncoupled warm dark matter cosmologies. Furthermore, we complement our claim by providing the reasons which suggest that even at nonlinear level a breaking of such apparent equivalence is also expected.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

Piercing the Vainshtein screen with anomalous gravitational wave speed: Constraints on modified gravity from binary pulsars

By using observations of the Hulse-Taylor pulsar we constrain the gravitational wave (GW) speed to the level of $10^{-2}$. We apply this result to scalar-tensor theories that generalize Galileon 4 and 5 models, which display anomalous propagation speed and coupling to matter for GWs. We argue that this effect survives conventional screening due to the persistence of a scalar field gradient inside virialized overdensities, which effectively "pierces" the Vainshtein screening. In specific branches of solutions, our result allows to directly constrain the cosmological couplings in the effective field theory of dark energy formalism.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

A free parametrized TOV: Modified Gravity from Newtonian to Relativistic Stars

We test a free {\it ad hoc} parametrization of the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equation. We do not have in mind any specific extended theory of gravity (ETG) but each new parameter introduced has a physical interpretation. Our aim is fully pedagogical rather than a proposal for a new ETG. Given a realistic neutron star equation of state we map the contributions of each new parameter into a shift in trajectories of the mass-radius diagram. This exercise allows us to make the correspondence between each TOV sector with possible modifications of gravity and clarifies how neutron star observations are helpful for distinguishing theories.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Non-linear clustering during the BEC dark matter phase transition

Spherical collapse of the Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) dark matter model is studied in the Thomas Fermi approximation. The evolution of the overdensity of the collapsed region and its expansion rate are calculated for two scenarios. We consider the case of a sharp phase transition (which happens when the critical temperature is reached) from the normal dark matter state to the condensate one and the case of a smooth first order phase transition where there is a continuous conversion of "normal" dark matter to the BEC phase. We present numerical results for the physics of the collapse for a wide range of the model's space parameter, i.e. the mass of the scalar particle $m_χ$ and the scattering length $l_s$. We show the dependence of the transition redshift on $m_χ$ and $l_s$. Since small scales collapse earlier and eventually before the BEC phase transition the evolution of collapsing halos in this limit is indeed the same in both the CDM and the BEC models. Differences are expected to appear only on the largest astrophysical scales. However, we argue that the BEC model is almost indistinguishable from the usual dark matter scenario concerning the evolution of nonlinear perturbations above typical clusters scales, i.e., $\gtrsim 10^{14}M_{\odot}$. This provides an analytical confirmation for recent results from cosmological numerical simulations [H.-Y. Schive {\it et al.}, Nature Physics, {\bf10}, 496 (2014)].

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Structure formation in a $Λ$ $viscous$ CDM universe

The possibility of dark matter being a dissipative component represents an option for the standard view where cold dark matter (CDM) particles behave on large scales as an ideal fluid. By including a physical mechanism to the dark matter description like viscosity we construct a more realistic model for the universe. Also, the known small scale pathologies of the standard CDM model either disappear or become less severe. We study clustering properties of a $Λ$CDM-like model in which dark matter is described as a bulk viscous fluid. The linear power spectrum, the nonlinear spherical "top hat" collapse and the mass functions are presented. We use the analysis with such structure formation tools in order to place an upper bound on the magnitude of the dark matter's viscosity.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

Exploring non-linear cosmological matter diffusion coefficients

Since microscopic velocity diffusion can be incorporated into general relativity in a consistent way, we study cosmological background solutions when the diffusion phenomena takes place in an expanding universe. Our focus here relies on the nature of the diffusion coefficient $σ$ which measures the magnitude of such transport phenomena. We test dynamics where $σ$ has a phenomenological dependence on the scale factor, the matter density, the dark energy and the expansion rate.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Phantom dark energy as an effect of bulk viscosity

In a homogeneous and isotropic universe bulk viscosity is the unique viscous effect capable to modify the background dynamics. Effects like shear viscosity or heat conduction can only change the evolution of the perturbations. The existence of a bulk viscous pressure in a fluid, which in order to obey to the second law of thermodynamics is negative, reduces its effective pressure. We discuss in this study the degeneracy in bulk viscous cosmologies and address the possibility that phantom dark energy cosmology could be caused by the existence of non-equilibrium pressure in any cosmic component. We establish the conditions under which either matter or radiation viscous cosmologies can be mapped into the phantom dark energy scenario with constraints from multiple observational data-sets

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Cosmology with matter diffusion

We construct a viable cosmological model based on velocity diffusion of matter particles. In order to ensure the conservation of the total energy-momentum tensor in the presence of diffusion, we include a cosmological scalar field $ϕ$ which we identify with the dark energy component of the Universe. The model is characterized by only one new degree of freedom, the diffusion parameter $σ$. The standard $Λ$CDM model can be recovered by setting $σ=0$. If diffusion takes place ($σ>0$) the dynamics of the matter and of the dark energy fields are coupled. We argue that the existence of a diffusion mechanism in the Universe can serve as a theoretical motivation for interacting models. We constrain the background dynamics of the diffusion model with Supernovae, H(z) and BAO data. We also perform a perturbative analysis of this model in order to understand structure formation in the Universe. We calculate the impact of diffusion both on the CMB spectrum, with particular attention to the integrated Sachs-Wolfe signal, and on the matter power spectrum $P(k)$. The latter analysis places strong constraints on the magnitude of the diffusion mechanism but does not rule out the model.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Viscous Cold Dark Matter in agreement with observations

We discuss bulk viscous cosmological models. Since the bulk viscous pressure is negative, viable viscous cosmological scenarios with late time accelerated expansion can in principle be constructed. After discussing some alternative models based on bulk viscous effects we will focus on a model very similar to the standard $Λ$CDM. We argue that a $Λ${\rm v}CDM model, where we assign a very small (albeit perceptible) bulk viscosity to dark matter is in agreement with available cosmological observations. Hence, we work with the concept of viscous Cold Dark Matter ({\rm v}CDM). At the level of the perturbations, the growth of {\rm v}CDM structures is slightly suppressed when compared with the standard CDM ones. Having in mind that the small scale problems of the $Λ$CDM model are related to an excess of clustering, our proposal seems to indicate a possible direction for solving the serious drawbacks of the CDM paradigm within the standard cosmological model.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Does Chaplygin gas have salvation?

We investigate the unification scenario provided by the generalised Chaplygin gas model (a perfect fluid characterized by an equation of state p = -A/ρ^α). Our concerns lie with a possible tension existing between background kinematic tests and those related to the evolution of small perturbations. We analyse data from the observation of the differential age of the universe, type Ia supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillations and the position of the first peak of the angular spectrum of the cosmic background radiation. We show that these tests favour negative values of the parameter α: we find α= - 0.089^{+0.161}_{-0.128} at the 2σ level and that α< 0 with 85% confidence. These would correspond to negative values of the square speed of sound which are unacceptable from the point of view of structure formation. We discuss a possible solution to this problem, when the generalised Chaplygin gas is framed in the modified theory of gravity proposed by Rastall. We show that a fluid description within this theory does not serve the purpose, but it is necessary to frame the generalised Chaplygin gas in a scalar field theory. Finally, we address the standard general relativistic unification picture provided by the generalised Chaplygin gas in the case α= 0: this is usually considered to be undistinguishable from the standard ΛCDM model, but we show that the evolution of small perturbations, governed by the Mészáros equation, is indeed different and the formation of sub-horizon GCG matter halos may be importantly affected in comparison with the ΛCDM scenario.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

GRB Hubble diagram and constraints on a Λ(t)CDM model

In previous papers, a cosmological model with constant-rate particle creation and vacuum term decaying linearly with the Hubble parameter was shown to lead to a good concordance when tested against precise observations: the position of the first peak in the spectrum of anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the Hubble diagram for supernovas of type Ia (SNe Ia), the distribution of large-scale structures (LSS) and the distance to the baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO). That model has the same number of parameters as the spatially flat standard model and seems to alleviate some observational/theoretical tensions appearing in the later. In this letter we complement those tests with 109 gamma ray bursters (GRB), 59 of them with redshifts above $z=1.4$, which permits to extend the Hubble diagram to redshifts up to $z\approx 8$. For the calibration of the 50 GRBs with $z<1.4$ we use the 288 supernovas of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) project, calibrated with the MLCS2k2 fitter, less model-dependent than other samples like Union2. Our results show a good concordance with the previous tests and, again, less tensions between SNe Ia and GRB best fits as compared to the standard model.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Dissipation of dark matter

Fluids often display dissipative properties. We explore dissipation in the form of bulk viscosity in the cold dark matter fluid. We constrain this model using current data from supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillations and the cosmic microwave background. Considering the isotropic and homogeneous background only, viscous dark matter is allowed to have a bulk viscosity $\lesssim 10^7$ Pa$\cdot$s, also consistent with the expected integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect (which plagues some models with bulk viscosity). We further investigate the small-scale formation of viscous dark matter halos, which turns out to place significantly stronger constraints on the dark matter viscosity. The existence of dwarf galaxies is guaranteed only for much smaller values of the dark matter viscosity, $\lesssim 10^{-3}$ Pa$\cdot$s.

astro-ph.CO↗