arXiv subjects

Israel Quiros

Publications and source records attributed to Israel Quiros.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Gauge invariant approach to nonmetricity theories and the second clock effect

In this paper we discuss on recent attempts aimed at demonstrating that, contrary to well-known results, the second clock effect (SCE) does not take place in generalized Weyl spaces -- spaces with arbitrary nonmetricity -- denoted here as $W_4$ spaces. These attempts include Weyl gauge theories of gravity, as well as the symmetric teleparallel theories (STTs). Our approach to this issue is based on the adoption of Weyl gauge symmetry (WGS) which is a manifest symmetry of the basic laws of Weyl geometry. We shall consistently adapt mathematical and geometrical quantities and concepts so that the resulting geometrical framework be gauge invariant. This issue is of special relevance for the fate of nonmetricity theories, including a class of the STTs which is being intensively applied in the cosmological framework. As we shall show, if realize that WGS is a manifest symmetry of generalized Weyl spaces $W_4$, and identify physical vectors and tensors with corresponding hypothetical vectors and tensors living in $W_4$, neither the Weyl gauge theories nor the nonmetricity theories are free of the SCE, unless Weyl integrable geometry (WIG) spaces are considered.

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arXiv2021

Avoiding the cosmological constant issue in a class of phenomenologically viable $F(R,{\cal G})$ theories

In this paper we investigate a class of phenomenologically viable $F(R,{\cal G})$ theories that are able to avoid the cosmological constant issue. While the absence of ghosts and other kinds of instability issues is of prime importance, other reasonable requirements such as vanishing effective (low curvature) cosmological constant, including the flat space as a stable vacuum solution, are also imposed on the viable models. These are free of the cosmological constant problem thanks to the following outstanding feature: the de Sitter space is an attractor of the asymptotic cosmological dynamics, with the resulting constant Hubble rate being unrelated both to the energy density of vacuum and to the low-curvature effective cosmological constant.

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arXiv2021

Bayesian model selection on Scalar $ε$-Field Dark Energy

The main aim of this paper is to analyse minimally-coupled scalar-fields -- quintessence and phantom -- as the main candidates to explain the accelerated expansion of the universe and compare its observables to current cosmological observations; as a byproduct we present its python module. This work includes a parameter $ε$ which allows to incorporate both quintessence and phantom fields within the same analysis. Examples of the potentials, so far included, are $V(ϕ)=V_0ϕ^μe^{βϕ^α}$ and $V(ϕ)=V_0(\cosh(αϕ)+β)$ with $α$, $μ$ and $β$ being free parameters, but the analysis can be easily extended to any other scalar field potential. Additional to the field component and the standard content of matter, the study also incorporates the contribution from spatial curvature ($Ω_k$), as it has been the focus in recent studies. The analysis contains the most up-to-date datasets along with a nested sampler to produce posterior distributions along with the Bayesian evidence, that allows to perform a model selection. In this work we constrain the parameter-space describing the two generic potentials, and among several combinations, we found that the best-fit to current datasets is given by a model slightly favouring the quintessence field with potential $V(ϕ)=V_0ϕ^μe^{βϕ}$ with $β=0.22\pm 1.56$, $μ= -0.41\pm 1.90$, and slightly negative curvature $Ω_{k,0}=-0.0016\pm0.0018$, which presents deviations of $1.6σ$ from the standard $Λ$CDM model. Even though this potential contains three extra parameters, the Bayesian evidence $\mathcal{B}_{Λ, ϕ} =2.0$ is unable to distinguish this model compared to the $Λ$CDM with curvature ($Ω_{k,0}=0.0013\pm0.0018$). The potential that provides the minimal Bayesian evidence corresponds to $V(ϕ)=V_0 \cosh(αϕ)$ with $α=-0.61\pm 1.36$.

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arXiv2020

On the quantum origin of inflation in the geometric inflation model

In this paper we investigate the cosmological dynamics of geometric inflation by means of the tools of the dynamical systems theory. We focus in the study of two explicit models where it is possible to sum the infinite series of higher curvature corrections that arises in the formalism. These would be very interesting possibilities since, if regard gravity as a quantum effective theory, a key feature is that higher powers of the curvature invariants are involved at higher loops. Hence, naively, consideration of the whole infinite tower of curvature invariants amounts to consideration of all of the higher order loops. The global dynamics of these toy models in the phase space is discussed and the quantum origin of primordial inflation is exposed.

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arXiv2020

Inflationary equilibrium configurations of scalar-tensor theories of gravity

In this paper we investigate the asymptotic dynamics of inflationary cosmological models that are based in scalar-tensor theories of gravity. Our main aim is to explore the global structure of the phase space in the framework of single-field inflation models. For this purpose we make emphasis in the adequate choice of the variables of the phase space. Our results indicate that, although single-field inflation is generic in the sense that the corresponding critical point in the phase space exists for a wide class of potentials, along given phase space orbits -- representing potential cosmic histories -- the occurrence of the inflationary stage is rather dependent on the initial conditions. We have been able to give quantitative estimates of the relative probability (RP) for initial conditions leading to slow-roll inflation. For the non-minimal coupling model with the $ϕ^2$-potential our rough estimates yield to an almost vanishing relative probability: $10^{-13}\,\%\lesssim RP\ll 10^{-8}\,\%$. These bonds are greatly improved in the scalar-tensor models, including the Brans-Dicke theory, where the relative probability $1\,\%\lesssim RP\leq 100\,\%$. Hence slow-roll inflation is indeed a natural stage of the cosmic expansion in Brans-Dicke models of inflation. It is confirmed as well that the dynamics of vacuum Brans-Dicke theories with arbitrary potentials are non-chaotic.

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arXiv2020

On the physical consequences of a Weyl invariant theory of gravity

In this paper we explore the physical consequences of assuming Weyl invariance of the laws of gravity from the classical standpoint exclusively. Actual Weyl invariance requires to replace the underlying Riemannian geometrical structure of the background spacetimes by Weyl integrable geometry (WIG). We show that gauge freedom, a distinctive feature of Weyl invariant theories of gravity, leads to very unusual consequences. For instance, within the cosmological setting in a WIG-based conformal invariant gravity theory, also known as conformal general relativity (CGR), a static universe is physically equivalent to a universe undergoing de Sitter expansion. It happens also that spherically symmetric black holes are physically equivalent to singularity-free wormholes. Another outstanding consequence of gauge freedom in the framework of CGR is that inflation is not required to explain the flatness, horizon and relict particle abundances, among other puzzles that arise in standard GR-based cosmology. Besides, the cosmological constant and the mass hierarchy problems do not arise neither in this setup.

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arXiv2020

Global asymptotic dynamics of Cosmological Einsteinian Cubic Gravity

In this paper we investigate the cosmological dynamics of an up to cubic curvature correction to General Relativity (GR) known as Cosmological Einsteinian Cubic Gravity (CECG), whose vacuum spectrum consists of the graviton exclusively and its cosmology is well-posed as an initial value problem. We are able to uncover the global asymptotic structure of the phase space of this theory. It is revealed that an inflationary matter-dominated bigbang is the global past attractor which means that inflation is the starting point of any physically meaningful cosmic history. Given that higher order curvature corrections to GR are assumed to influence the cosmological dynamics at early times -- high energies/large curvature limit -- the late-time inflation can not be a consequence of the up to cubic order curvature modifications. We confirm this assumption by showing that late-time acceleration of the expansion in the CECG model is possible only if add a cosmological constant term.

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arXiv2020

An issue with the classification of the scalar-tensor theories of gravity

In the bibliography a certain confusion arises in what regards to the classification of the gravitational theories into scalar-tensor theories and general relativity with a scalar field either minimally or non-minimally coupled to matter. Higher-derivatives Horndeski and beyond Horndeski theories that at first sight do not look like scalar-tensor theories only add to the confusion. To further complicate things, the discussion on the physical equivalence of the different conformal frames in which a given scalar-tensor theory may be formulated, makes even harder to achieve a correct classification. In this paper we propose a specific criterion for an unambiguous identification of scalar-tensor theories and discuss its impact on the conformal transformations issue. The present discussion carries not only pedagogical but also scientific interest since an incorrect classification of a given theory as a scalar-tensor theory of gravity may lead to conceptual issues and to the consequent misunderstanding of its physical implications.

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arXiv2019

Equivalence between Horndeski and beyond Horndeski theories and imperfect fluids

In this paper we show that an equivalence between Horndeski and beyond Horndeski theories and general relativity with an effective imperfect fluid can be formally established. The formal equivalence is discussed for several particular cases of interest. Working in the cosmological framework, it is shown that, while the effective stress-energy tensor of viable Horndeski theories is formally equivalent to that of an imperfect fluid with anisotropic stresses and vanishing heat flux vector, the effective stress-energy tensor of beyond Horndeski theories is equivalent to the one of a perfect fluid instead.

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arXiv2019

Selected topics in scalar-tensor theories and beyond

Scalar fields have played an important role in the development of the fundamental theories of physics as well as in other branches of physics such as gravitation and cosmology. For a long time these escaped detection until 2012 year when the Higgs boson was observed for the first time. Since then alternatives to the general theory of relativity like the Brans-Dicke theory, scalar-tensor theories of gravity and their higher derivative generalizations -- collectively known as Horndeski theories -- have acquired renewed interest. In the present review we discuss on several selected topics regarding these theories, mainly from the theoretical perspective but with due mention of the observational aspect. Among the topics covered in this review we pay special attention to the following: 1) the asymptotic dynamics of cosmological models based in the Brans-Dicke, scalar-tensor and Horndeski theories, 2) inflationary models, extended quintessence and the Galileons, with emphasis in causality and stability issues, 3) the chameleon and Vainshtein screening mechanisms that may allow the elusive scalar field to evade the tight observational constraints implied by the solar system experiments, 4) the conformal frames conundrum with a brief discussion on the disformal transformations and 5) the role of Weyl symmetry and scale invariance in the gravitation theories. The review is aimed at specialists as well as at non-specialists in the subject, including postgraduate students.

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arXiv2018

On local scale invariance and the questionable theoretical basis of the conformal transformations' issue

Here we follow the mainstream of thinking about physical equivalence of different representations of a theory, regarded as the consequence of invariance of the laws of physics -- represented by an action principle and the derived motion equations -- under given transformations; be it coordinate, gauge or conformal transformations. Accordingly the conformal transformations' issue is discussed by invoking the assumed invariance of the laws of physics -- in particular the laws of gravity -- under conformal transformations of the metric. It is shown that Brans-Dicke and scalar-tensor theories are not well-suited to address physical equivalence of the conformal frames since the corresponding laws of gravity are not invariant under the conformal transformations or Weyl rescalings. The search for conformal symmetry leads us to explore the physical consequences of Weyl-invariant theories of gravity, that represent a natural arena where to discuss on physical equivalence of the conformally related representations. We show that conformal invariance of the action of a (supposedly conformal invariant) theory and of the derived motion equations is not enough to ensure actual Weyl invariance. It is required, also, that the underlying geometrical structure of the background spacetime be, at least, Weyl-integrable. Otherwise, if assume (as usual) spacetimes of (pseudo)Riemannian geometrical structure, the resulting -- apparently conformal invariant -- theory is anomalous in that, only massless matter fields can be consistently coupled. Gauge freedom, a distinctive feature of actually Weyl-invariant theories of gravity, leads to very unusual consequences.

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arXiv2018

Dynamical systems analysis of the cubic galileon beyond the exponential potential and the cosmological analogue of the vDVZ discontinuity

In this paper we generalize the dynamical systems analysis of the cubic galileon model previously investigated in \cite{rtgui} by including self-interaction potentials beyond the exponential one. It will be shown that, consistently with the results of \cite{rtgui}, the cubic self-interaction of the galileon vacuum appreciably modifies the late-time cosmic dynamics by the existence of a phantom-like attractor (among other super-accelerated solutions that are not of interest in the present investigation). In contrast, in the presence of background matter the late-time cosmic dynamics remains practically the same as in the standard quintessence scenario. This means that we can not recover the cubic galileon vacuum continuously from the more general cubic quintessence with background matter, by setting to zero the matter energy density (and the pressure). This happens to be a kind of cosmological vDVZ discontinuity that can be evaded by means of the cosmological version of the Vainshtein screening mechanism.

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arXiv2018

Black hole formation from the gravitational collapse of a non-spherical network of structures

We examine the gravitational collapse and black hole formation of multiple non--spherical configurations constructed from Szekeres dust models with positive spatial curvature that smoothly match to a Schwarzschild exterior. These configurations are made of an almost spherical central core region surrounded by a network of "pancake-like" overdensities and voids with spatial positions prescribed through standard initial conditions. We show that a full collapse into a focusing singularity, without shell crossings appearing before the formation of an apparent horizon, is not possible unless the full configuration becomes exactly or almost spherical. Seeking for black hole formation, we demand that shell crossings are covered by the apparent horizon. This requires very special fine-tuned initial conditions that impose very strong and unrealistic constraints on the total black hole mass and full collapse time. As a consequence, non-spherical non-rotating dust sources cannot furnish even minimally realistic toy models of black hole formation at astrophysical scales: demanding realistic collapse time scales yields huge unrealistic black hole masses, while simulations of typical astrophysical black hole masses collapse in unrealistically small times. We note, however, that the resulting time--mass constraint is compatible with early Universe models of primordial black hole formation, suitable in early dust-like environments. Finally, we argue that the shell crossings appearing when non-spherical dust structures collapse are an indicator that such structures do not form galactic mass black holes but virialise into stable stationary objects.

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arXiv2018

On the phantom barrier crossing and the bounds on the speed of sound in non-minimal derivative coupling theories

In this paper we investigate the so called "phantom barrier crossing" issue in a cosmological model based in the scalar-tensor theory with non-minimal derivative coupling to the Einstein's tensor. Special attention will be paid to the physical bounds on the squared sound speed. The numeric results are geometrically illustrated by means of a qualitative procedure of analysis that is based on the mapping of the orbits in the phase plane onto the surfaces that represent physical quantities in the extended phase space, that is: the phase plane complemented with an additional dimension relative to the given physical parameter. We find that the cosmological model based in the non-minimal derivative coupling theory -- this includes both the quintessence and the pure derivative coupling cases -- has serious causality problems related with superluminal propagation of the scalar and tensor perturbations. Even more disturbing is the finding that, despite that the underlying theory is free of the Ostrogradsky instability, the corresponding cosmological model is plagued by the Laplacian (classical) instability related with negative squared sound speed. This instability leads to an uncontrollable growth of the energy density of the perturbations that is inversely proportional to their wavelength. We show that independent of the self-interaction potential, for the positive coupling the tensor perturbations propagate superluminally, while for the negative coupling a Laplacian instability arises. This latter instability invalidates the possibility for the model to describe the primordial inflation.

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arXiv2016

Brans-Dicke Galileon and the Variational Principle

This paper is aimed at a (mostly) pedagogical exposition of the derivation of the motion equations of certain modifications of general relativity. Here we derive in all detail the motion equations in the Brans-Dicke theory with the cubic self-interaction. This is a modification of the Brans-dicke theory by the addition of a term in the Lagrangian which is non-linear in the derivatives of the scalar field: it contains second-order derivatives. This is the basis of the so-called Brans-Dicke Galileon. We pay special attention to the variational principle and to the algebraic details of the derivation. It is shown how higher order derivatives of the fields appearing in the intermediate computations cancel out leading to second order motion equations. The reader will find useful tips for the derivation of the field equations of modifications of general relativity such as the scalar-tensor theories and $f(R)$ theories, by means of the (stationary action) variational principle. The content of this paper is specially recommended to those graduate and postgraduate students who are interested in the study of the mentioned modifications of general relativity.

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arXiv2015

Cubic Derivative Interactions and Asymptotic Dynamics of the Galileon Vacuum

In this paper we apply the tools of the dynamical systems theory in order to uncover the whole asymptotic structure of the vacuum interactions of a galileon model with a cubic derivative interaction term. It is shown that, contrary to what occurs in the presence of background matter, the galileon interactions of vacuum appreciably modify the late-time cosmic dynamics. In particular, a local late-time attractor representing phantom behavior arises which is inevitably associated with a big rip singularity. It seems that the gravitational interactions of the background matter with the galileon screen the effects of the gravitational self-interactions of the galileon, thus erasing any potential modification of the late-time dynamics by the galileon vacuum processes. Unlike other galileon models inspired in the DGP scenario, self-accelerating solutions do not arise in this model.

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arXiv2015

The Chameleon Effect in the Jordan Frame of the Brans--Dicke Theory

In this paper we investigate the chameleon effect in the different conformal frames of the Brans--Dicke theory. Given that, in the standard literature on the subject, the chameleon is described in the Einstein frame almost exclusively, here we pay special attention to the description of this effect in the Jordan and in the string frames. It is shown that, in general, terrestrial and solar system bounds on the mass of the BD scalar field, and bounds of cosmological origin, are difficult to reconcile at once through a single chameleon potential. We point out that, in a cosmological context, provided that the effective chameleon potential has a minimum within a region of constant density of matter, the Brans--Dicke theory transmutes into general relativity with a cosmological constant, in that region. This result, however, can be only locally valid. In cosmological settings de Sitter--general relativity is a global attractor of the Brans--Dicke theory only for the quadratic potential $V(ϕ)=M^2ϕ^2$, or for potentials that asymptote to $M^2ϕ^2$.

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arXiv2015

Brans--Dicke cosmology does not have the $Λ$CDM phase as an universal attractor

In this paper we seek for relevant information on the asymptotic cosmological dynamics of the Brans--Dicke theory of gravity for several self-interaction potentials. By means of the simplest tools of the dynamical systems theory, it is shown that the general relativity de Sitter solution is an attractor of the Jordan frame (dilatonic) Brans--Dicke theory only for the exponential potential $U(\vphi)\propto\exp\vphi$, which corresponds to the quadratic potential $V(ϕ)\proptoϕ^2$ in terms of the original Brans--Dicke field $ϕ=\exp\vphi$, or for potentials which asymptote to $\exp\vphi$. At the stable de Sitter critical point, as well as at the stiff-matter equilibrium configurations, the dilaton is necessarily massless. We find bounds on the Brans--Dicke coupling constant $ω_\textsc{bd}$, which are consistent with well-known results.

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