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Jorge Páramos

Publications and source records attributed to Jorge Páramos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2020

Using a non-minimal coupling between matter and curvature to sequester the Cosmological Constant

We present a novel mechanism for generating a Cosmological Constant and suitably sequestering the vacuum contribution to it, so that the eponymous Cosmological Constant problem is avoided. We do so by resorting to a model endowed with a non-minimal coupling between curvature and matter in an appropriately defined relaxed regime, and show that this shares features with both Unimodular gravity as well as a recent proposal to sequester the vacuum contribution through the use of an external term to the action functional.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2019

Nonminimally coupled curvature-matter gravity models and Solar System constraints

We discuss constraints to some nonminimally (NMC) coupled curvature-matter models of gravity by means of Solar System experiments. First we discuss a NMC gravity model which constitutes a natural extension of $1/R^n$ gravity to the nonminimally coupled case. Such a NMC gravity model is able to predict the observed accelerated expansion of the Universe. Differently from the $f(R)=1/R^n$ gravity case, which is not compatible with Solar System observations, it turns out that this NMC model is a viable theory of gravity. Then we consider a further NMC gravity model which admits Minkowski spacetime as a background, and we derive the $1/c$ expansion of the metric. The nonrelativistic limit of the model is not Newtonian, but contains a Yukawa correction. We look for trajectories around a static, spherically symmetric body. Since in NMC gravity the energy-momentum tensor of matter is not conserved, then the trajectories deviate from geodesics. We use the NMC gravity model to compute the perihelion precession of planets and we constrain the parameters of the model from radar observations of Mercury.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2017

Visible and Dark Matter Profiles in a Non-Minimally Coupled Model

A previous work found that a nonminimally coupled theory of gravity can, under appropriate conditions, give rise to an additional contribution to the field equations interpreted as dark matter [1]: in particular, the density of this dark matter component was found to scale as a power of the density of visible matter. However, no explicit solution for the modified field equations was provided, so that a direct computation of the specific density profile followed by visible matter is missing. This question is now addressed: analytical solutions to the modified field equations are derived in the appropriate perturbative regime and characterised, with an emphasis on directly obtaining the visible matter profile in a self-consistent way. We compare with known profiles for visible and dark matter and obtain constraints on the parameters of the model.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

The 1/c expansion of nonminimally coupled curvature-matter gravity model and constraints from planetary precession

The effects of a nonminimally coupled curvature-matter model of gravity on a perturbed Minkowski metric are presented. The action functional of the model involves two functions $f^1(R)$ and $f^2(R)$ of the Ricci scalar curvature $R$. This work expands upon previous results, extending the framework developed there to compute corrections up to order $O(1/c^4)$ of the $00$ component of the metric tensor. It is shown that additional contributions arise due to both the non-linear form $f^1(R)$ and the nonminimal coupling $f^2(R)$, including exponential contributions that cannot be expressed as an expansion in powers of $1/r$. Some possible experimental implications are assessed with application to perihelion precession.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

Viability of nonminimally coupled f (R) gravity

In this work we explore the viability of nonminimally coupled matter- curvature gravity theories, namely the conditions required for the absence of tachyon instabilities and ghost degrees of freedom. We contrast our finds with recent claims of a pathological behaviour of this class of models, which resorted to, in our view, an incorrect analogy with k-essence.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2015

Cosmological implications of Bumblebee vector models

The Bumblebee Model of spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking is explored in a cosmological context, considering a single non-zero time component for the vector field. The relevant dynamic equations for the evolution of the Universe are derived and its properties and physical significance studied. We conclude that a late-time de Sitter expansion of the Universe can be replicated, and attempt to constrain the parameter of the potential driving the spontaneous symmetry breaking.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2015

Dynamical analysis of nonminimal coupled theories

In this work a dynamical system approach to nonminimal coupled f(R) theories is made. The solutions of three distinct models are obtained and their stability and physical interpretation are studied to ascertain their viability as candidates for dark energy. Comparison is drawn with previous works in the context of f(R) and nonminimally coupled models.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2014

Astrophysical Constraints on the Bumblebee Model

In this work the Bumblebee model for spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking is considered in the context of spherically symmetric astrophysical bodies. A discussion of the modified equations of motion is presented and constraints on the parameters of the model are perturbatively obtained.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Perturbation of the metric around a spherical body from a nonminimal coupling between matter and curvature

In this work, the effects of a nonminimally coupled model of gravity on a perturbed Minkowski metric are presented. The action functional of the model involves two functions $f^1(R)$ and $f^2(R)$ of the Ricci scalar curvature $R$. Based upon a Taylor expansion around $R = 0$ for both functions $f^1(R)$ and $f^2(R)$, we find that the metric around a spherical object is a perturbation of the weak-field Schwarzschild metric: the time perturbation is shown to be a Newtonian plus Yukawa term, which can be constrained using the available experimental results. We conclude that the Starobinsky model for inflation complemented with a generalized preheating mechanism is not experimentally constrained by observations. The geodetic precession effects of the model are also shown to be of no relevance for the constraints.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2014

Minimal extension of General Relativity: alternative gravity model with non-minimal coupling between matter and curvature

We examine an extension of General Relativity with an explicit non-minimal coupling between matter and curvature. The purpose of this work is to present an overview of the implications of the latter to various contexts, ranging from astrophysical matter distributions to a cosmological setting. Various results are discussed, including the impact of this non-minimal coupling on the choice of Lagrangian density, on a mechanism to mimic galactic and cluster dark matter, on the possibility of accounting for the accelerated expansion of the Universe, energy density fluctuations and modifications to post-inflationary reheating. The equivalence between a model exhibiting a non-minimal coupling and multi-scalar-theories is also discussed.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2013

Modified Friedmann Equation from Nonminimally Coupled Theories of Gravity

In this work we study how nonminimally coupled theories of gravity modify the usual Friedmann equation, and develop two methods to treat these. The ambiguity in the form of the Lagrangian density of a perfect fluid is emphasized, and the impact of different dominant matter species is assessed. The Cosmological Constant problem is also discussed.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2013

Solar System constraints to nonminimally coupled gravity

We extend the analysis of Chiba, Smith and Erickcek \cite{CSE} of Solar System constraints on $f(R)$ gravity to a class of nonminimally coupled (NMC) theories of gravity. These generalize $f(R)$ theories by replacing the action functional of General Relativity (GR) with a more general form involving two functions $f^1(R)$ and $f^2(R)$ of the Ricci scalar curvature $R$. While the function $f^1(R)$ is a nonlinear term in the action, analogous to $f(R)$ gravity, the function $f^2(R)$ yields a NMC between the matter Lagrangian density $\LL_m$ and the scalar curvature. The developed method allows for obtaining constraints on the admissible classes of functions $f^1(R)$ and $f^2(R)$, by requiring that predictions of NMC gravity are compatible with Solar System tests of gravity. We apply this method to a NMC model which accounts for the observed accelerated expansion of the Universe.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2013

Cosmological perturbations in theories with non-minimal coupling between curvature and matter

In this work, one examines how the presence of a non-minimal coupling between the spacetime curvature and matter affects the evolution of cosmological perturbations around a homogeneous and isotropic Universe and hence the formation of large-scale structure. This framework places constraints on the terms which arise due to the coupling with matter and, in particular, on the modification in the growth of matter density perturbations. One obtains approximate analytical solutions for the evolution of matter overdensities during the matter dominated era and shows that these favor the presence of a coupling function that is compatible with the late-time cosmic acceleration.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2013

Mimicking dark matter in galaxy clusters through a non-minimal gravitational coupling with matter

In this work, one shows that a specific non-minimal coupling between the scalar curvature and matter can mimic the dark matter component of galaxy clusters. For this purpose, one assesses the Abell cluster A586, a massive nearby relaxed cluster of galaxies in virial equilibrium, where direct mass estimates and strong-lensing determinations are possible. One then extends the dark matter mimicking to a large sample of galaxy clusters whose density profiles are obtained from the Chandra high quality data, also in virial equilibrium. The total density, which generally follows a cusped profile and reveals a very small baryonic component, can be effectively described within this framework.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2012

Two-scalar-field model for the interaction of dark energy and dark matter

In this paper, we study the effects of an interaction between dark matter and dark energy through a two scalar field model with a potential $V(ϕ,χ)=e^{-λϕ}P(ϕ,χ)$, where $P(ϕ,χ)$ is a polynomial. We show that the cosmic expansion dynamics of the Universe is reproduced for a large range of the bare mass of the dark matter field and that there exist solutions with transient accelerated expansion. A modification in the exponential behavior of the potential is studied, with important physical implications, including the possibility of more realistic transient acceleration solutions.

gr-qc↗