arXiv subjects

Margus Saal

Publications and source records attributed to Margus Saal.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Scalar-tensor cosmologies with a potential in the general relativity limit: time evolution

We consider Friedmann-Lema\^ıtre-Robertson-Walker flat cosmological models in the framework of general Jordan frame scalar-tensor theories of gravity with arbitrary coupling function and potential. For the era when the cosmological energy density of the scalar potential dominates over the energy density of ordinary matter, we use a nonlinear approximation of the decoupled scalar field equation for the regime close to the so-called limit of general relativity where the local weak field constraints are satisfied. We give the solutions in cosmological time with a particular attention to the classes of models asymptotically approaching general relativity. The latter can be subsumed under two types: (i) exponential convergence, and (ii) damped oscillations around general relativity. As an illustration we present an example of oscillating dark energy.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

Potential dominated scalar-tensor cosmologies in the general relativity limit: phase space view

We consider the potential dominated era of Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker flat cosmological models in the framework of general Jordan frame scalar-tensor theories of gravity with arbitrary coupling functions, and focus upon the phase space of the scalar field. To study the regime suggested by the local weak field tests (i.e. close to the so-called limit of general relativity) we propose a nonlinear approximation scheme, solve for the phase trajectories, and provide a complete classification of possible phase portraits. We argue that the topology of trajectories in the nonlinear approximation is representative of those of the full system, and thus can tell for which scalar-tensor models general relativity functions as an attractor.

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↗

arXiv2002

Long-wavelength approximation for string cosmology with barotropic perfect fluid

The field equations derived from the low energy string effective action with a matter tensor describing a perfect fluid with a barotropic equation of state are solved iteratively using the long-wavelength approximation, i.e. the field equations are expanded by the number of spatial gradients. In the zero order, a quasi-isotropic solution is presented and compared with the general solution of the pure dilaton gravity. Possible cosmological models are analyzed from the point of view of the pre-big bang scenario. The second order solutions are found and their growing and decaying parts are studied.

gr-qc↗