arXiv subjects

Laur Jarv

Publications and source records attributed to Laur Jarv.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Stability of symmetric teleparallel scalar-tensor cosmologies with alternative connections

In symmetric teleparallel geometry the curvature and torsion tensors are assumed to vanish identically, while the dynamics of gravity is encoded by nonmetricity. Here the spatially homogeneous and isotropic connections that can accompany flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker metric come in three sets. As the trivial set has received much attention, we focus on the two alternative sets which introduce an extra degree of freedom into the equations. Working in the context of symmetric teleparallel scalar-tensor gravity with generic nonminimal coupling and potential, we show that the extra free function in the connection can not play the role of dark matter nor dark energy, but it drastically alters the scalar field behavior. We determine the restrictions on the model functions which permit the standard cosmological scenario of successive radiation, dust matter, and scalar potential domination eras to be stable. However, the alternative connections also introduce a rather general possibility of the system meeting a singularity in finite time.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

From inflation to dark energy in scalar-tensor cosmology

The methods of dynamical systems have found wide applications in cosmology, with focus either upon inflation or upon the passage into dark energy era. In this paper, we endeavor to capture the whole history of the universe into a dynamical system by considering generic scalar tensor gravity with radiation and dust matter fluids in flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker spacetime. We construct the dynamical variables in such a way that the main stages of the cosmic evolution, viz. inflation, radiation domination, matter domination, and dark energy domination can be represented by the respective fixed points in the phase space. As the evolution of solutions is ruled by the sequence of these fixed points with appropriate properties, we can determine the conditions that the scalar potential and nonminimal coupling must satisfy for the model to deliver viable cosmic history in a generic manner. We illustrate the construction by a scalar field with quartic potential, with and without quadratic nonminimal coupling to curvature.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Dynamical systems approach and generic properties of $f(T)$ cosmology

We present a systematic analysis of the dynamics of flat Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker cosmological models with radiation and dust matter in generalized teleparallel $f(T)$ gravity. We show that the cosmological dynamics of this model is fully described by a function $W(H)$ of the Hubble parameter, which is constructed from the function $f(T)$. After reducing the phase space to two dimensions we derive the conditions on $W(H)$ for the occurrence of de Sitter fixed points, accelerated expansion, crossing the phantom divide, and finite time singularities. Depending on the model parameters it is possible to have a bounce (from contraction to expansion) or a turnaround (from expansion to contraction), but cyclic or oscillating scenarios are prohibited. As an illustration of the formalism we consider power law $f(T) = T + α(-T)^n$ models, and show that these allow only one period of acceleration and no phantom divide crossing.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Post-Newtonian parameter $γ$ for multiscalar-tensor gravity with a general potential

We compute the parametrized post-Newtonian parameter $γ$ in the case of a static point source for multiscalar-tensor gravity with completely general nonderivative couplings and potential in the Jordan frame. Similarly to the single massive field case $γ$ depends exponentially on the distance from the source and is determined by the length of a vector of non-minimal coupling in the space of scalar fields and its orientation relative to the mass eigenvectors. Using data from the Cassini tracking experiment, we estimate bounds on a general theory with two scalar fields. Our formalism can be utilized for a wide range of models, which we illustrate by applying it to nonminimally coupled Higgs SU(2) doublet, general hybrid metric-Palatini gravity, linear ($\Box^{-1}$) and quadratic ($\Box^{-2}$) nonlocal gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

General relativity as an attractor for scalar-torsion cosmology

We study flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker cosmological models for a scalar field coupled nonminimally to teleparallel gravity with generic coupling and potential functions. The goal of this paper is to determine the conditions under which the cosmological evolution tends to the limit where the variation of the gravitational "constant" ceases and the system evolves close to general relativity. These conditions can be read off from the approximate analytical solutions describing the process in matter and potential domination eras. Only those models where the GR limit exists and is an attractor can be considered viable. We expect the results to hold in the original "pure tetrad" formulation as well as in the recently suggested covariant formulation of the teleparallel theory. In the former case the GR attractor simultaneously provides a mechanism how cosmological evolution suppresses the problematic degrees of freedom stemming from the lack of local Lorentz invariance.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Invariant quantities in the multiscalar-tensor theories of gravitation

The aim of the current paper is to study the multiscalar-tensor theories of gravity without derivative couplings. We construct a few basic objects that are invariant under a Weyl rescaling of the metric and transform covariantly when the scalar fields are redefined. We introduce rules to construct further such objects and put forward a scheme that allows to express the results obtained either in the Einstein frame or in the Jordan frame as general ones. These so called translation rules are used to show that the parametrized post-Newtonian approximation results obtained in the aforementioned two frames indeed are the same if expressed in a general frame.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

The formalism of invariants in scalar-tensor and multiscalar-tensor theories of gravitation

We give a brief summary of the formalism of invariants in general scalar-tensor and multiscalar-tensor gravities without derivative couplings. By rescaling of the metric and reparametrization of the scalar fields, the theory can be presented in different conformal frames and parametrizations. Due to this freedom in transformations, the scalar fields themselves do not carry independent physical meaning (in a generic parametrization). However, there are functions of the scalar fields and their derivatives which remain invariant under the transformations, providing a set of physical variables for the theory. We indicate how to construct such invariants and show how the observables like parametrized post-Newtonian parameters and characteristics of Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker cosmology can be neatly expressed in terms of the invariants.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Transformation properties and general relativity regime in scalar-tensor theories

We consider first generation scalar-tensor theories of gravitation in a completely generic form, keeping the transformation functions of the local rescaling of the metric and the scalar field redefinition explicitly distinct from the coupling functions in the action. It is well known that in the Jordan frame Brans-Dicke type parametrization the diverging kinetic coupling function $ω\rightarrow \infty$ can lead to the general relativity regime, however then the transformation functions to other parametrizations typically become singular, possibly spoiling the correspondence between different parametrizations. We give a detailed analysis of the transformation properties of the field equations with arbitrary metric and also in the Friedmann cosmology, and provide sufficient conditions under which the correspondence between different parametrizations is retained, even if the transformation is singular. It is interesting to witness the invariance of the notion of the general relativity regime and the correspondence of the perturbed cosmological equations as well as their solutions in different parametrizations, despite the fact that in some cases the perturbed equation turns out to be linear in one parametrization and nonlinear in some other.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Parametrizations in scalar-tensor theories of gravity and the limit of general relativity

We consider a general scalar-tensor theory of gravity and review briefly different forms it can be presented (different conformal frames and scalar field parametrizations). We investigate the conditions under which its field equations and the parametrized post-Newtonian parameters coincide with those of general relativity. We demonstrate that these so-called limits of general relativity are independent of the parametrization of the scalar field, although the transformation between scalar fields may be singular at the corresponding value of the scalar field. In particular, the limit of general relativity can equivalently be determined and investigated in the commonly used Jordan and Einstein frames.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Invariant quantities in the scalar-tensor theories of gravitation

We consider the general scalar-tensor gravity without derivative couplings. By rescaling of the metric and reparametrization of the scalar field, the theory can be presented in different conformal frames and parametrizations. In this work we argue, that while due to the freedom to transform the metric and the scalar field, the scalar field itself does not carry a physical meaning (in a generic parametrization), there are functions of the scalar field and its derivatives which remain invariant under the transformations. We put forward a scheme how to construct these invariants, discuss how to formulate the theory in terms of the invariants, and show how the observables like parametrized post-Newtonian parameters and characteristics of the cosmological solutions can be neatly expressed in terms of the invariants. In particular, we describe the scalar field solutions in Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker cosmology in Einstein and Jordan frames, and explain their correspondence despite the approximate equations turning out to be linear and non-linear in different frames.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Post-Newtonian parameters gamma and beta of scalar-tensor gravity with a general potential

We calculate the PPN parameters gamma and beta for scalar-tensor gravity with a generic coupling function omega and scalar potential V in the Jordan conformal frame in the case of a static spherically symmetric source. Since the potential generally introduces a radial dependence to the effective gravitational constant as well as to gamma and beta, we discuss the issue of defining these PPN parameters and compare our expressions with previous calculations in simpler cases. We confront our results with current observational constraints on the values of gamma and beta and thus draw restrictions on the form of the functions omega and V around their asymptotic background values.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

Remarks on (super-)accelerating cosmological models in general scalar-tensor gravity

We consider Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker cosmological models in the framework of general scalar-tensor theories of gravity (STG) with arbitrary coupling functions, set in the Jordan frame. First we describe the general properties of the phase space in the case of barotropic matter fluid and scalar field potential for any spatial curvature (flat, spherical, hyperbolic). Then we address the question under which conditions epochs of accelerated and super-accelerated expansion are possible in STG. For flat models filled with dust matter (and vanishing potential) we give a necessary condition on the coupling function of the scalar field which must be satisfied to allow acceleration and super-acceleration. This is illustrated by a specific example.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Scalar-tensor cosmologies: fixed points of the Jordan frame scalar field

We study the evolution of homogeneous and isotropic, flat cosmological models within the general scalar-tensor theory of gravity with arbitrary coupling function and potential. After introducing the limit of general relativity we describe the details of the phase space geometry. Using the methods of dynamical systems for the decoupled equation of the Jordan frame scalar field we find the fixed points of flows in two cases: potential domination and matter domination. We present the conditions on the mathematical form of the coupling function and potential which determine the nature of the fixed points (attractor or other). There are two types of fixed points, both are characterized by cosmological evolution mimicking general relativity, but only one of the types is compatible with the Solar System PPN constraints. The phase space structure should also carry over to the Einstein frame as long as the transformation between the frames is regular which however is not the case for the latter (PPN compatible) fixed point.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Scalar-tensor cosmologies: general relativity as a fixed point of the Jordan frame scalar field

We study the evolution of homogeneous and isotropic, flat cosmological models within the general scalar-tensor theory of gravity with arbitrary coupling function and potential and scrutinize its limit to general relativity. Using the methods of dynamical systems for the decoupled equation of the Jordan frame scalar field we find the fixed points of flows in two cases: potential domination and matter domination. We present the conditions on the mathematical form of the coupling function and potential which determine the nature of the fixed points (attractor or other). There are two types of fixed points, both are characterized by cosmological evolution mimicking general relativity, but only one of the types is compatible with the Solar System PPN constraints.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Scalar-tensor cosmology at the general relativity limit: Jordan vs Einstein frame

We consider the correspondence between the Jordan frame and the Einstein frame descriptions of scalar-tensor theory of gravitation. We argue that since the redefinition of the scalar field is not differentiable at the limit of general relativity the correspondence between the two frames is lost at this limit. To clarify the situation we analyse the dynamics of the scalar field in different frames for two distinct scalar-tensor cosmologies with specific coupling functions and demonstrate that the corresponding scalar field phase portraits are not equivalent for regions containing the general relativity limit. Therefore the answer to the question whether general relativity is an attractor for the theory depends on the choice of the frame.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

The dynamics of scalar-tensor cosmology from RS two-brane model

We consider Randall-Sundrum two-brane cosmological model in the low energy gradient expansion approximation by Kanno and Soda. It is a scalar-tensor theory with a specific coupling function. We find a first integral of equations for the A-brane metric and estimate constraints for the dark radiation term. We perform a complementary analysis of the dynamics of the scalar field (radion) using phase space methods and examine convergence towards the limit of general relativity. We find that it is possible to stabilize the radion at a finite value with suitable negative matter densities on the B-brane.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

The dynamics of scalar-tensor cosmology from RS two-brane model

We consider a Randall-Sundrum two-brane cosmological model in the low energy gradient expansion approximation by Kanno and Soda. It is a scalar-tensor theory with a specific coupling function and a specific potential. Upon introducing the FLRW metric and perfect fluid matter on both branes in the Jordan frame, the effective dynamical equation for the the A-brane (our Universe) scale factor decouples from the scalar field and B-brane matter leaving only a non-vanishing integration constant (the dark radiation term). We find exact solutions for the A-brane scale factor for four types of matter: cosmological constant, radiation, dust, and cosmological constant plus radiation. We perform a complementary analysis of the dynamics of the scalar field (radion) using phase space methods and examine convergence towards the limit of general relativity. In particular, we find that radion stabilizes at a certain finite value for suitable negative matter densities on the B-brane. Observational constraints from Solar system experiments (PPN) and primordial nucleosynthesis (BBN) are also briefly discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2004

Phase Space Analysis of Quintessence Cosmologies with a Double Exponential Potential

We use phase space methods to investigate closed, flat, and open Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmologies with a scalar potential given by the sum of two exponential terms. The form of the potential is motivated by the dimensional reduction of M-theory with non-trivial four-form flux on a maximally symmetric internal space. To describe the asymptotic features of run-away solutions we introduce the concept of a `quasi fixed point.' We give the complete classification of solutions according to their late-time behavior (accelerating, decelerating, crunch) and the number of periods of accelerated expansion.

hep-th↗