arXiv subjects

Mariam Bouhmadi-López

Publications and source records attributed to Mariam Bouhmadi-López.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Cosmological perturbations in an effective and genuinely phantom dark energy Universe

We carry out an analysis of the cosmological perturbations in general relativity for three different models which are good candidates to describe the current acceleration of the Universe. These three set-ups are described classically by perfect fluids with a phantom nature and represent deviations from the most widely accepted $Λ$CDM model. In addition, each of the models under study induce different future singularities or abrupt events known as (i) Big Rip, (ii) Little Rip and (iii) Little Sibling of the Big Rip. Only the first one is regarded as a true singularity since it occurs at a finite cosmic time. For this reason, we refer to the others as abrupt events. With the aim to find possible footprints of this scenario in the Universe matter distribution, we not only obtain the evolution of the cosmological scalar perturbations but also calculate the matter power spectrum for each model. We have carried the perturbations in the absence of any anisotropic stress and within a phenomenological approach for the speed of sound. We constrain observationally these models using several measurements of the growth rate function, more precisely $fσ_8$, and compare our results with the observational ones.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2017

Cosmic infinity: A dynamical system approach

Dynamical system techniques are extremely useful to study cosmology. It turns out that in most of the cases, we deal with finite isolated fixed points corresponding to a given cosmological epoch. However, it is equally important to analyse the asymptotic behaviour of the universe. On this paper, we show how this can be carried out for 3-forms model. In fact, we show that there are fixed points at infinity mainly by introducing appropriate compactifications and defining a new time variable that washes away any potential divergence of the system. The richness of 3-form models allows us as well to identify normally hyperbolic non-isolated fixed points.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Interacting 3-form dark energy models: distinguishing interactions and avoiding the Little Sibling of the Big Rip

In this paper we consider 3-form dark energy (DE) models with interactions in the dark sector. We aim to distinguish the phenomenological interactions that are defined through the dark matter (DM) and the DE energy densities. We do our analysis mainly in two stages. In the first stage, we identify the non-interacting 3-form DE model which generically leads to an abrupt late-time cosmological event which is known as the little sibling of the Big Rip (LSBR). We classify the interactions which can possibly avoid this late-time abrupt event. We also study the parameter space of the model that is consistent with the interaction between DM and DE energy densities at present as indicated by recent studies based on BAO and SDSS data. In the later stage, we observationally distinguish those interactions using the statefinder hierarchy parameters $\{ S_{3}^{(1)}\,,\, S_{4}^{(1)}\} \,,\,\{ S_{3}^{(1)}\,,\, S_{5}^{(1)}\} .$ We also compute the growth factor parameter $ε(z)$ for the various interactions we consider herein and use the composite null diagnostic (CND) $\{ S_{3}^{(1)}\,,\,ε(z)\} $ as a tool to characterise those interactions by measuring their departures from the concordance model. In addition, we make a preliminary analysis of our model in light of the recently released data by SDSS~III on the measurement of the linear growth rate of structure.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Towards the Quantization of Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld Theory

The quantum effects close to the classical big rip singularity within the Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld theory (EiBI) are investigated through quantum geometrodynamics. It is the first time that this approach is applied to a modified theory constructed upon Palatini formalism. The Wheeler-DeWitt (WDW) equation is obtained and solved based on an alternative action proposed in Ref.[1], under two different factor ordering choices. This action is dynamically equivalent to the original EiBI action while it is free of square root of the spacetime curvature. We consider a homogeneous, isotropic and spatially flat universe, which is assumed to be dominated by a phantom perfect fluid whose equation of state is a constant. We obtain exact solutions of the WDW equation based on some specific conditions. In more general cases, we propose a qualitative argument with the help of a Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approximation to get further solutions. Besides, we also construct an effective WDW equation by simply promoting the classical Friedmann equations. We find that for all the approaches considered, the DeWitt condition hinting singularity avoidance is satisfied. Therefore the big rip singularity can be avoided through the quantum approach within the EiBI theory.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Coupled scalar fields in the late Universe: The mechanical approach and the late cosmic acceleration

In this paper, we consider the Universe at the late stage of its evolution and deep inside the cell of uniformity. At these scales, we consider the Universe to be filled with dust-like matter in the form of discretely distributed galaxies, a minimally coupled scalar field and radiation as matter sources. We investigate such a Universe in the mechanical approach. This means that the peculiar velocities of the inhomogeneities (in the form of galaxies) as well as fluctuations of other perfect fluids are non-relativistic. Such fluids are designated as coupled because they are concentrated around inhomogeneities. In the present paper we investigate the conditions under which a scalar field can become coupled, and show that, at the background level, such coupled scalar field behaves as a two component perfect fluid: a network of frustrated cosmic strings with EoS parameter $w=-1/3$ and a cosmological constant. The potential of this scalar field is very flat at the present time. Hence, the coupled scalar field can provide the late cosmic acceleration. The fluctuations of the energy density and pressure of this field are concentrated around the galaxies screening their gravitational potentials. Therefore, such scalar fields can be regarded as coupled to the inhomogeneities.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Classical and quantum cosmology of the little rip abrupt event

We analyze from a classical and quantum point of view the behavior of the universe close to a little rip, which can be interpreted as a big rip sent towards the infinite future. Like a big rip singularity, a little rip implies the destruction of all bounded structure in the Universe and is thus an event where quantum effects could be important. We present here a new phantom scalar field model for the little rip. The quantum analysis is performed in quantum geometrodynamics, with the Wheeler-DeWitt equation as its central equation. We find that the little rip can be avoided in the sense of the DeWitt criterion, that is, by having a vanishing wave function at the place of the little rip. Therefore our analysis completes the answer to the question: can quantum cosmology smoothen or avoid the divergent behavior genuinely caused by phantom matter? We show that this can indeed happen for the little rip, similar to the avoidance of a big rip and a little sibling of the big rip.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

The late Universe with non-linear interaction in the dark sector: the coincidence problem

We study the Universe at the late stage of its evolution and deep inside the cell of uniformity. At such a scale the Universe is highly inhomogeneous and filled with discretely distributed inhomogeneities in the form of galaxies and groups of galaxies. As a matter source, we consider dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE) with a non-linear interaction $Q = 3\mathcal{H}γ\bar\varepsilon_{\mathrm{DE}} \bar\varepsilon_{\mathrm{DM}} / (\bar\varepsilon_{\mathrm{DE}} + \bar\varepsilon_{\mathrm{DM}})$, where $γ$ is a constant. We assume that DM is pressureless and DE has a constant equation of state parameter $w$. In the considered model, the energy densities of the dark sector components present a scaling behaviour with $\bar\varepsilon_{\mathrm{DM}} / \bar\varepsilon_{\mathrm{DE}} \sim \left({a_0} / {a} \right)^{-3(w+γ)}$. We investigate the possibility that the perturbations of DM and DE, which are interacting among themselves, could be coupled to the galaxies with the former being concentrated around them. To carry our analysis, we consider the theory of scalar perturbations (within the mechanical approach), and obtain the sets of parameters $(w,γ)$ which do not contradict it. We conclude that two sets: $(w=-2/3,γ=1/3)$ and $(w=-1,γ=1/3)$ are of special interest. First, the energy densities of DM and DE on these cases are concentrated around galaxies confirming that they are coupled fluids. Second, we show that for both of them, the coincidence problem is less severe than in the standard $Λ$CDM. Third, the set $(w=-1,γ=1/3)$ is within the observational constraints. Finally, we also obtain an expression for the gravitational potential in the considered model.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

$K$-essence model from the mechanical approach point of view: coupled scalar field and the late cosmic acceleration

In this paper, we consider the Universe at the late stage of its evolution and deep inside the cell of uniformity. At these scales, we can consider the Universe to be filled with dust-like matter in the form of discretely distributed galaxies, a $K$-essence scalar field, playing the role of dark energy, and radiation as matter sources. We investigate such a Universe in the mechanical approach. This means that the peculiar velocities of the inhomogeneities (in the form of galaxies) as well as the fluctuations of the other perfect fluids are non-relativistic. Such fluids are designated as coupled because they are concentrated around the inhomogeneities. In the present paper, we investigate the conditions under which the $K$-essence scalar field with the most general form for its action can become coupled. We investigate at the background level three particular examples of the $K$-essence models: (i) the pure kinetic $K$-essence field, (ii) a $K$-essence with a constant speed of sound and (iii) the $K$-essence model with the Lagrangian $bX+cX^2-V(ϕ)$. We demonstrate that if the $K$-essence is coupled, all these $K$-essence models take the form of multicomponent perfect fluids where one of the component is the cosmological constant. Therefore, they can provide the late-time cosmic acceleration and be simultaneously compatible with the mechanical approach.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Cosmological singularities in Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld theory and its possible extension

The Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity, which is formulated within the Palatini formalism, is characterized by its ability to cure the big bang singularity in the very beginning of the Universe. We further analyze the EiBI phantom model, and investigate the possible avoidance or alleviation of other dark energy related singularities. We find that except for the big rip singularity and little rip event, most of the cosmological singularities of interest can be partially alleviated in this model. Furthermore, we generalize the EiBI theory by adding a pure trace term to the determinant of the action. This amendment is the most general rank-two tensor composed of up to first order of the Riemann curvature. We find that this model allows the occurrence of primitive bounces and some smoother singularities than that of big bang. Most interestingly, for certain parameter space, the big bang singularity can be followed naturally by an inflationary stage in a radiation dominated universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

A novel approach to thin-shell wormholes and applications

A novel framework is presented that can be adapted to a wide class of generic spherically symmetric thin-shell wormholes. By using the Darmois--Israel formalism, we analyze the stability of arbitrary spherically symmetric thin-shell wormholes to linearized perturbations around static solutions. We demonstrate in full generality that the stability of the wormhole is equivalent to choosing suitable properties for the exotic material residing on the wormhole throat. As an application, we consider the thin-shell variant of the Ellis wormhole for the cases of a vanishing momentum flux and non-zero external fluxes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Scalar perturbations in the late Universe: viability of the Chaplygin gas models

We study the late-time evolution of the Universe where dark energy (DE) is parametrized by a modified generalized Chaplygin gas (mGCG) on top of cold dark matter (CDM). We also take into account the radiation content of the Universe. In this context, the late stage of the evolution of the universe refers to the epoch where CDM is already clustered into inhomogeneously distributed discrete structures (galaxies, groups and clusters of galaxies). Under these conditions, the mechanical approach is an adequate tool to study the Universe deep inside the cell of uniformity. To be more accurate, we study scalar perturbations of the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker metric due to inhomogeneities of CDM as well as fluctuations of radiation and mGCG, the later driving the late-time acceleration of the universe. Our analysis applies as well to the case where mGCG plays the role of DM and DE. We select the sets of parameters of the mGCG that are compatible with the mechanical approach. These sets define prospective mGCG models. By comparing the selected sets of models with some of the latest observational data results, we conclude that the mGCG is in tight agreement with those observations particularly for a mGCG playing the role of DE and DM.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

The quantum realm of the "Little Sibling" of the Big Rip singularity

We analyse the quantum behaviour of the "Little Sibling" of the Big Rip singularity (LSBR) [1]. The quantisation is carried within the geometrodynamical approach given by the Wheeler--DeWitt (WDW) equation. The classical model is based on a Friedmann--Lemaître--Robertson--Walker Universe filled by a perfect fluid that can be mapped to a scalar field with phantom character. We analyse the WDW equation in two setups. In the first step, we consider the scale factor as the single degree of freedom, which from a classical perspective parametrises both the geometry and the matter content given by the perfect fluid. We then solve the WDW equation within a WKB approximation, for two factor ordering choices. On the second approach, we consider the WDW equation with two degrees of freedom: the scale factor and a scalar field. We solve the WDW equation, with the Laplace--Beltrami factor-ordering, using a Born--Oppenheimer approximation. In both approaches, we impose the DeWitt (DW) condition as a potential criterion for singularity avoidance. We conclude that in all the cases analysed the DW condition can be verified, which might be an indication that the LSBR can be avoided or smoothed in the quantum approach.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Quantisation of the holographic Ricci dark energy model

While general relativity is an extremely robust theory to describe the gravitational interaction in our Universe, it is expected to fail close to singularities like the cosmological ones. On the other hand, it is well known that some dark energy models might induce future singularities; this can be the case for example within the setup of the Holographic Ricci Dark Energy model (HRDE). On this work, we perform a cosmological quantisation of the HRDE model and obtain under which conditions a cosmic doomsday can be avoided within the quantum realm. We show as well that this quantum model not only avoid future singularities but also the past Big Bang.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Are dark energy models with variable EoS parameter $w$ compatible with the late inhomogeneous Universe?

We study the late-time evolution of the Universe where dark energy (DE) is presented by a barotropic fluid on top of cold dark matter (CDM). We also take into account the radiation content of the Universe. Here by the late stage of the evolution we refer to the epoch where CDM is already clustered into inhomogeneously distributed discrete structures (galaxies, groups and clusters of galaxies). Under this condition the mechanical approach is an adequate tool to study the Universe deep inside the cell of uniformity. More precisely, we study scalar perturbations of the FLRW metric due to inhomogeneities of CDM as well as fluctuations of radiation and DE. For an arbitrary equation of state for DE we obtain a system of equations for the scalar perturbations within the mechanical approach. First, in the case of a constant DE equation of state parameter $w$, we demonstrate that our method singles out the cosmological constant as the only viable dark energy candidate. Then, we apply our approach to variable equation of state parameters in the form of three different linear parametrizations of $w$, e.g., the Chevallier-Polarski-Linder perfect fluid model. We conclude that all these models are incompatible with the theory of scalar perturbations in the late Universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Exploring the dark side of the Universe in a dilatonic brane-world scenario

We describe the late-time acceleration of the Universe within the paradigm of the brane-world scenario. More precisely, we show how a phantom-like behaviour or a crossing of the cosmological constant line can be achieved safely in a dilatonic brane-world model with an induced gravity term on the brane. The brane tension plays the role of dark energy which is coupled to the dilaton bulk scalar field. The phantom mimicry as well as the crossing of the cosmological constant line are achieved without invoking any phantom matter either on the brane or in the bulk.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

Chaplygin DGP cosmologies

A new class of braneworld models displaying late-time phantom acceleration without resorting to a phantom fluid is presented. In this scenario expansion is fuelled by dark matter together with some effective dark energy capable of crossing the phantom divide. Unlike a previous proposal of this nature, in these models the effective phantom behaviour remains valid at all redshifts for some choices of the free parameters of the models. The construction is based on the generalised Chaplygin gas, and the cosmological history interpolates between a standard CDM-like behaviour at early times and a de Sitter-like behaviour at late times, so no future singularity is reached.

astro-ph↗