arXiv subjects

L. Perivolaropoulos

Publications and source records attributed to L. Perivolaropoulos.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Comparison of Standard Ruler and Standard Candle constraints on Dark Energy Models

We compare the dark energy model constraints obtained by using recent standard ruler data (Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) at z=0.2 and z=0.35 and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) shift parameters R and l_a) with the corresponding constraints obtained by using recent Type Ia Supernovae (SnIa) standard candle data (ESSENCE+SNLS+HST from Davis et. al.). We find that, even though both classes of data are consistent with LCDM at the 2σlevel, there is a systematic difference between the two classes of data. In particular, we find that for practically all values of the parameters (Ω_0m,Ω_b) in the 2σrange of the the 3-year WMAP data (WMAP3) best fit, LCDM is significantly more consistent with the SnIa data than with the CMB+BAO data. For example for (Ω_0m,Ω_b)=(0.24,0.042) corresponding to the best fit values of WMAP3, the dark energy equation of state parametrization w(z)=w_0 + w_1 (z/(1+z)) best fit is at a 0.5σdistance from LCDM (w_0=-1,w_1=0) using the SnIa data and 1.7σaway from LCDM using the CMB+BAO data. There is a similar trend in the earlier data (SNLS vs CMB+BAO at z=0.35). This trend is such that the standard ruler CMB+BAO data show a mild preference for crossing of the phantom divide line w=-1, while the recent SnIa data favor LCDM. Despite of this mild difference in trends, we find no statistically significant evidence for violation of the cosmic distance duality relation η\equiv d_L(z)/(d_A(z) (1+z)^2)=1. For example, using a prior of Ω_0m=0.24, we find η=0.95 \pm 0.025 in the redshift range 0<z<2, which is consistent with distance duality at the 2σlevel.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Testing LCDM with the Growth Function δ(a): Current Constraints

We have compiled a dataset consisting of 22 datapoints at a redshift range (0.15,3.8) which can be used to constrain the linear perturbation growth rate f=\frac{d\lnδ}{d\ln a}. Five of these data-points constrain directly the growth rate f through either redshift distortions or change of the power spectrum with redshift. The rest of the datapoints constrain f indirectly through the rms mass fluctuation σ_8(z) inferred from Ly-αat various redshifts. Our analysis tests the consistency of the LCDM model and leads to a constraint of the Wang-Steinhardt growth index γ(defined from f=Ω_m^γ) as γ=0.67^{+0.20}_{-0.17}. This result is clearly consistent at $1σ$ with the value γ={6/11}=0.55 predicted by LCDM. A first order expansion of the index γin redshift space leads to similar results.We also apply our analysis on a new null test of LCDM which is similar to the one recently proposed by Chiba and Nakamura (arXiv:0708.3877) but does not involve derivatives of the expansion rate $H(z)$. This also leads to the fact that LCDM provides an excellent fit to the current linear growth data.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Cosmic Acceleration Data and Bulk-Brane Energy Exchange

We consider a braneworld model with bulk-brane energy exchange. This allows for crossing of the w=-1 phantom divide line without introducing phantom energy with quantum instabilities. We use the latest SnIa data included in the Gold06 dataset to provide an estimate of the preferred parameter values of this braneworld model. We use three fitting approaches which provide best fit parameter values and hint towards a bulk energy component that behaves like relativistic matter which is propagating in the bulk and is moving at a speed v along the fifth dimension, while the bulk-brane energy exchange component corresponds to negative pressure and signifies energy flowing from the bulk into the brane. We find that the best fit effective equation of state parameter $w_{eff}$ marginally crosses the phantom divide line w=-1. Thus, we have demonstrated both the ability of this class of braneworld models to provide crossing of the phantom divide and also that cosmological data hint towards natural values for the model parameters.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Reconstruction of the Scalar-Tensor Lagrangian from a LCDM Background and Noether Symmetry

We consider scalar-tensor theories and reconstruct their potential U(Φ) and coupling F(Φ) by demanding a background LCDM cosmology. In particular we impose a background cosmic history H(z) provided by the usual flat LCDM parameterization through the radiation (w_{eff}=1/3), matter (w_{eff}=0) and deSitter (w_{eff}=-1) eras. The cosmological dynamical system which is constrained to obey the LCDM cosmic history presents five critical points in each era, one of which corresponding to the standard General Relativity (GR). In the cases that differ from GR, the reconstructed coupling and potential are of the form F(Φ)\sim Φ^2 and U(Φ)\sim F(Φ)^m where m is a constant. This class of scalar tensor theories is also theoretically motivated by a completely independent approach: imposing maximal Noether symmetry on the scalar-tensor Lagrangian. This approach provides independently: i) the form of the coupling and the potential as F(Φ)\sim Φ^2 and U(Φ)\sim F(Φ)^m, ii) a conserved charge related to the potential and the coupling and iii) allows the derivation of exact solutions by first integrals of motion.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Can f(R) Modified Gravity Theories Mimic a LCDM Cosmology?

We consider f(R) modified gravity theories in the metric variation formalism and attempt to reconstruct the function f(R) by demanding a background LCDM cosmology. In particular we impose the following requirements: a. A background cosmic history H(z) provided by the usual flat LCDM parametrization though the radiation (w_eff=1/3), matter (w_eff=0) and deSitter (w_eff=-1) eras. b. Matter and radiation dominate during the `matter' and `radiation' eras respectively i.e. Ω_m =1 when w_eff=0 and Ω_r=1 when w_eff=1/3. We have found that the cosmological dynamical system constrained to obey the LCDM cosmic history has four critical points in each era which correspondingly lead to four forms of f(R). One of them is the usual general relativistic form f(R)=R-2Λ. The other three forms in each era, reproduce the LCDM cosmic history but they do not satisfy requirement b. stated above. Only one of these forms (different from general relativity) is found to be an attractor of the dynamical cosmological evolution. It has (Ω_DE=1, Ω_r=0, Ω_m=0) throughout the evolution. Its phase space trajectory is numerically obtained.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Tension and Systematics in the Gold06 SnIa Dataset

The Gold06 SnIa dataset recently released in astro-ph/0611572 consists of five distinct subsets defined by the group or instrument that discovered and analyzed the corresponding data. These subsets are: the SNLS subset (47 SnIa), the HST subset (30 SnIa), the HZSST subset (41 SnIa), the SCP subset (26 SnIa) and the Low Redshift (LR) subset (38 SnIa). These subsets sum up to the 182 SnIa of the Gold06 dataset. We use Monte-Carlo simulations to study the statistical consistency of each one of the above subsets with the full Gold06 dataset. In particular, we compare the best fit $w(z)$ parameters (w_0,w_1) obtained by subtracting each one of the above subsets from the Gold06 dataset (subset truncation), with the corresponding best fit parameters (w^r_0,w^r_1) obtained by subtracting the same number of randomly selected SnIa from the same redshift range of the Gold06 dataset (random truncation). We find that the probability for (w^r_0,w^r_1)=(w_0,w_1) is large for the Gold06 minus SCP (Gold06-SCP) truncation but is less than 5% for the Gold06-SNLS, Gold06-HZSST and Gold06-HST truncations. This result implies that the Gold06 dataset is not statistically homogeneous. By comparing the values of the best fit (w_0,w_1) for each subset truncation we find that the tension among subsets is such that the SNLS and HST subsets are statistically consistent with each other and `pull' towards LCDM (w_0=-1,w_1=0) while the HZSST subset is statistically distinct and strongly `pulls' towards a varying w(z) crossing the line $w=-1$ from below (w_0<-1,w_1>0). We also isolate six SnIa that are mostly responsible for this behavior of the HZSST subset.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

The Limits of Extended Quintessence

We use a low redshift expansion of the cosmological equations of extended (scalar-tensor) quintessence to divide the observable Hubble history parameter space in four sectors: A forbidden sector I where the scalar field of the theory becomes imaginary (the kinetic term becomes negative), a forbidden sector II where the scalar field rolls up (instead of down) its potential, an allowed `freezing' quintessence sector III where the scalar field is currently decelerating down its potential towards freezing and an allowed `thawing' sector IV where the scalar field is currently accelerating down its potential. The dividing lines between the sectors depend sensitively on the time derivatives of the Newton's constant G over powers of the Hubble parameter. For minimally coupled quintessence which appears as a special case for a constant G our results are consistent with previous studies. Observable parameter χ^2 contours based on current data (SNLS dataset) are also constructed on top of the sectors, for a prior of Ω_m=0.24. By demanding that the observed 2σχ^2 parameter contours do not lie entirely in the forbidden sectors we derive stringent constraints on the current second time derivative of Newton's constant G. In particular we find {\ddot G}/G >-1.91 H_0^2=-2 10^{-20}h^2 yrs^{-2} at the 2σlevel which is complementary to solar system tests which constrain only the first derivative of G as |{\dot G}/G|<10^{-14}yrs^{-1} at 1σ.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Crossing the Phantom Divide: Theoretical Implications and Observational Status

If the dark energy equation of state parameter w(z) crosses the phantom divide line w=-1 (or equivalently if the expression d(H^2(z))/dz - 3Ω_m H_0^2 (1+z)^2 changes sign) at recent redshifts, then there are two possible cosmological implications: Either the dark energy consists of multiple components with at least one non-canonical phantom component or general relativity needs to be extended to a more general theory on cosmological scales. The former possibility requires the existence of a phantom component which has been shown to suffer from serious theoretical problems and instabilities. Therefore, the later possibility is the simplest realistic theoretical framework in which such a crossing can be realized. After providing a pedagogical description of various dark energy observational probes, we use a set of such probes (including the Gold SnIa sample, the first year SNLS dataset, the 3-year WMAP CMB shift parameter, the SDSS baryon acoustic oscillations peak (BAO), the X-ray gas mass fraction in clusters and the linear growth rate of perturbations at z=0.15 as obtained from the 2dF galaxy redshift survey) to investigate the priors required for cosmological observations to favor crossing of the phantom divide. We find that a low Ω_m prior (0.2<Ω_m <0.25) leads, for most observational probes (except of the SNLS data), to an increased probability (mild trend) for phantom divide crossing. An interesting degeneracy of the ISW effect in the CMB perturbation spectrum is also pointed out.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Evolving Newton's Constant, Extended Gravity Theories and SnIa Data Analysis

If Newton's constant G evolves on cosmological timescales as predicted by extended gravity theories then Type Ia supernovae (SnIa) can not be treated as standard candles. The magnitude-redshift datasets however can still be useful. They can be used to simultaneously fit for both H(z) and G(z) (so that local G(z) constraints are also satisfied) in the context of appropriate parametrizations. Here we demonstrate how can this analysis be done by applying it to the Gold SnIa dataset. We compare the derived effective equation of state parameter w(z) at best fit with the corresponding result obtained by neglecting the evolution G(z). We show that even though the results clearly differ from each other, in both cases the best fit w(z) crosses the phantom divide w=-1. We then attempt to reconstruct a scalar tensor theory that predicts the derived best fit forms of H(z) and G(z). Since the best fit G(z) fixes the scalar tensor potential evolution F(z), there is no ambiguity in the reconstruction and the potential U(z) can be derived uniquely. The particular reconstructed scalar tensor theory however, involves a change of sign of the kinetic term $Φ'(z)^2$ as in the minimally coupled case.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Accelerating Universe: Observational Status and Theoretical Implications

This is a pedagogical review of the recent observational data obtained from type Ia supernova surveys that support the accelerating expansion of the universe. The methods for the analysis of the data are reviewed and some of the theoretical implications obtained from their analysis are discussed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Comparison of the Legacy and Gold SnIa Dataset Constraints on Dark Energy Models

We have performed a comparative analysis of three recent and reliable SnIa datasets available in the literature: the Full Gold (FG) dataset (157 data points $0<z<1.75$), a Truncated Gold (TG) dataset (140 data points $0<z<1$) and the most recent Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS) dataset (115 data points $0<z<1$). We have analyzed and compared the likelihood of cosmological constant and dynamical dark energy parametrizations allowing for crossing of the phantom divide line (PDL). We find that even though the constraints obtained using the three datasets are consistent with each other at the 95% confidence level, the latest (SNLS) dataset shows distinct trends which are not shared by the Gold datasets. We find that the best fit dynamical $w(z)$ obtained from the SNLS dataset does not cross the PDL $w=-1$ and remains above and close to the $w=-1$ line for the whole redshift range $0<z<1$ showing no evidence for phantom behavior. The LCDM parameter values ($w_0=-1$, $w_1=0$) almost coincide with the best fit parameters of the dynamical $w(z)$ parametrizations. In contrast, the best fit dynamical $w(z)$ obtained from the Gold datasets (FG and TG) clearly crosses the PDL and departs significantly from the PDL $w=-1$ line while the LCDM parameter values are about $2σ$ away from the best fit $w(z)$. In addition, the $(Ω_{0m},Ω_Λ)$ parameters in a LCDM parametrization without a flat prior, fit by the SNLS dataset, favor the minimal flat LCDM concordance model. The corresponding fit with the Gold datasets mildly favors a closed universe and the flat LCDM parameter values are $1σ- 2σ$ away from the best fit $(Ω_{0m},Ω_Λ)$.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Exploring Cosmological Expansion Parametrizations with the Gold SnIa Dataset

We use the SnIa Gold dataset to compare LCDM with 10 representative parametrizations of the recent Hubble expansion history $H(z)$. For the comparison we use two statistical tests; the usual $χ_{min}^2$ which is insensitive to the parametrization number of parameters, and a statistic we call the p-test which depends on both the value of $χ_{min}^2$ and the number $n$ of the parametrization parameters. The p-test measures the confidence level to which the parameter values corresponding to LCDM are excluded from the viewpoint of the parametrization tested. For example, for a linear equation of state parametrization $w(z)=w_0 + w_1 z$ the LCDM parameter values ($w_0=-1$, $w_1=0$) are excluded at 75% confidence level. We use a flat prior and $Ω_{0m}=0.3$. All parametrizations tested are consistent with the Gold dataset at their best fit. According to both statistical tests, the worst fits among the 10 parametrizations, correspond to the Chaplygin gas, the brane world and the Cardassian parametrizations. The best fit is achieved by oscillating parametrizations which can exclude the parameter values corresponding to LCDM at 85% confidence level. Even though this level of significance does not provide a statistically significant exclusion of LCDM (it is less than $2σ$) and does not by itself constitute conclusive evidence for oscillations in the cosmological expansion, when combined with similar independent recent evidence for oscillations coming from the CMB and matter power spectra it becomes an issue worth of further investigation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Crossing the Phantom Divide Barrier with Scalar Tensor Theories

There is accumulating observational evidence (based on SnIa data) that the dark energy equation of state parameter $w$ may be evolving with time and crossing the phantom divide barrier $w=-1$ at recent times. The confirmation of these indications by future data would indicate that minimally coupled quintessence can not reproduce the observed expansion rate $H(z)$ for any scalar field potential. Here we explicitly demonstrate that scalar tensor theories of gravity (extended quintessence) can predict crossing of the phantom divide barrier. We reconstruct phenomenologically viable scalar-tensor potentials $F(Φ)$ and $U(Φ)$ that can reproduce a polynomial best fit expansion rate $H(z)$ and the corresponding dark energy equation of state parameter $w(z)$ crossing the $w=-1$ line. The form of the reconstructed scalar tensor potentials is severely constrained but is not uniquely determined. This is due to observational uncertainties in the form of $H(z)$ and also because a single observed function $H(z)$ does not suffice for the reconstruction of the two potential functions $F(Φ)$ and $U(Φ)$.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Constraints on linear-negative potentials in quintessence and phantom models from recent supernova data

We study quintessence and phantom field theory models based on linear-negative potentials of the form $V(ϕ)=s ϕ$. We investigate the predicted redshift dependence of the equation of state parameter $w(z$ for a wide range of slopes $s$ in both quintessence and phantom models. We use the gold dataset of 157 SnIa and place constraints on the allowed range of slopes $s$. We find $s=0\pm 1.6$ for quintessence and $s=\pm 0.7\pm 1$ for phantom models (the range is at the $2σ$ level and the units of $s$ are in $\sqrt{3}M_p H_0^2\simeq 10^{-38}eV^3$ where $M_p$ is the Planck mass). In both cases the best fit is very close to $s\simeq 0$ corresponding to a cosmological constant. We also show that specific model independent parametrizations of $w(z)$ which allow crossing of the phantom divide line $w=-1$ (hereafter PDL) provide significantly better fits to the data. Unfortunately such crossings are not allowed in any phantom or quintessence single field model minimally coupled to gravity. Mixed models (coupled phantom-quintessence fields) can in principle lead to a $w(z)$ crossing the PDL but a preliminary investigation indicates that this does not happen for natural initial conditions.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

The Rise and Fall of the Cosmic String Theory for Cosmological Perturbations

The cosmic string theory for cosmological fluctuations is a good example of healthy scientific progress in cosmology. It is a well defined physically motivated model that has been tested by cosmological observations and has been ruled out as a primary source of primordial fluctuations. Until about fifteen years ago, the cosmic string theory of cosmological perturbations provided one of the two physically motivated candidate theories for the generation of primordial perturbations. The cosmological data that appeared during the last decade have been compared with the well defined predictions of the theory and have ruled out cosmic strings as a primary source of primordial cosmological perturbations. Since cosmic strings are predicted to form after inflation in a wide range of microphysical theories including (supersymmetric and fundamental string theories) their observational bounds may serve a source of serious constraints for these theories. This is a pedagogical review of the historical development, the main predictions of the cosmic string theory and the constraints that have been imposed on it by cosmological observations. Recent lensing events that could be attributed to lighter cosmic strings are also discussed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

The Fate of Bound Systems in Phantom and Quintessence Cosmologies

We study analytically and numerically the evolution of bound systems in universes with accelerating expansion where the acceleration either increases with time towards a Big Rip singularity (phantom cosmologies) or decreases with time (quintessence). We confirm the finding of Caldwell et. al. [arXiv:astro-ph/0302506] (hereafter CKW) that bound structures get dissociated in phantom cosmologies but we demonstrate that this happens earlier than anticipated by CKW. In particular we find that the `rip time' when a bound system gets unbounded is not the time when the repulsive phantom energy gravitational potential due to the average $(ρ+ 3p)$ balances the attractive gravitational potential of the mass M of the system. Instead, the `rip time' is the time when the minimum of the time dependent effective potential (including the centrifugal term) disappears. For the Milky Way galaxy this happens approximately 180Myrs before the Big Rip singularity instead of approximately 60Myrs indicated by CKW for a phantom cosmology with w=-1.5. A numerical reconstruction of the dissociating bound orbits is presented.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

A comparison of cosmological models using recent supernova data

We study the expansion history of the universe up to a redshift of z=1.75 using the 194 recently published SnIa data by Tonry et. al. and Barris et. al. In particular we find the best fit forms of several cosmological models and $H(z)$ ansatze, determine the best fit values of their parameters and rank them according to increasing value of $χ_{min}^2$ (the minimum value of $χ^2$ for each $H(z)$ ansatz). We use a prior of $Ω_{0m} = 0.3$ and assume flat geometry of the universe. No prior assumptions are made about validity of energy conditions. The fitted models are fourteen and include SCDM, LCDM, dark energy with constant equation of state parameter $w$ (quiessence), third order polynomial for $H(1+z)$, Chaplygin gas, Cardassian model, $w(z)=w_0 + w_1 z$, $w(z)=w_0 + z w_1/(1+z)$, an oscillating ansatz for $H(z)$ etc. All these models with the exception of SCDM are consistent with the present data. However, the quality of the fit differs significantly among them and so do the predicted forms of $w(z)$ and $H(z)$ at best fit. The worst fit among the data-consistent models considered corresponds to the simplest model LCDM ($χ_{min}^2 = 198.7$ for $Ω_{0m} = 0.34$) while the best fit is achieved by the three parameter oscillating ansatz ($χ_{min}^2 = 194.1$). Most of the best fit ansatze have an equation of state parameter $w(z)$ that varies between $w(z) \simeq -1$ for $z<0.5$ to $w(z) > 0$ for $z>1$. This implies that the sign of the pressure of the dark energy may be alternating as the redshift increases. The goodness of fit of the oscillating $H(z)$ ansatz lends further support to this possibility.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Core Structure of Global Vortices in Brane World Models

We study analytically and numerically the core structure of global vortices forming on topologically deformed brane-worlds with a single toroidally compact extra dimension. It is shown that for an extra dimension size larger than the scale of symmetry breaking the magnitude of the complex scalar field at the vortex center can dynamically remain non-zero. Singlevaluedness and regularity are not violated. Instead, the winding escapes to the extra dimension at the vortex center. As the extra dimension size decreases the field magnitude at the core dynamically decreases also and in the limit of zero extra dimension size we reobtain the familiar global vortex solution. Extensions to other types of defects and gauged symmetries are also discussed.

hep-ph↗