arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Maxim Khlopov.
One of the fundamental questions we ask in cosmology is what the spatial curvature of the universe is. Experimental observations show that the universe is very close to being spatially flat. However, new results, mainly from measurements by the Planck satellite, indicate that the curvature parameter might be positive. We will, however, examine completely new theoretical results that suggest that we actually live in a closed Universe.
We perform four independent decompositions of the deceleration parameter $q_0$ using 1564 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) from the Pantheon+ catalogue: by redshift bin, sky hemisphere, host galaxy mass, and supernova colour, correcting a coordinate error identified by Sah, Rameez & Sarkar (SRS26) in the sky-hemisphere direction used in our original analysis. Without any progenitor-age correction, the full sample yields $q_m=-0.490$, consistent with the $\Lambda$CDM expectation of $-0.55$. Applying the Son et al. (S25) progenitor-age correction shifts this to $q_m=-0.267$, remaining in the accelerating regime. The sky hemisphere test, using the corrected CMB dipole direction (RA$=167.80^\circ$, Dec$=-7.10^\circ$), shows consistent results between the CMB dipole ($q_m=-0.527$) and anti-dipole ($q_m=-0.464$) hemispheres, supporting isotropy but not the strong deceleration values reported previously. Our revised results are consistent with \lcdm{} and do not support either the original claim of near-zero baseline acceleration or the S25/SRS26 claim of a decelerating universe.
In the present work, we explore an observationally constrained cosmological model in the framework of $f(Q,\mathcal{L}_{m})$ gravity, where $Q$ denotes the non-metricity scalar and $\mathcal{L}_{m}$ represents the matter Lagrangian density. To derive the modified Friedmann field equations, we consider a flat FLRW space-time. We have considered a specific parameterization of the Hubble parameter $H(z)$ to explore the cosmic evolution, which successfully describes the shift of the cosmos from its initial decelerated expansion period to the current accelerated scenario. The free model parameters are constrained using recent observational datasets including Cosmic Chronometers (CC), Pantheon+SH0ES, Union 3.0, DESI-BAO, and CMB distance priors using MCMC approach through the $\chi^2$-minimization process. The derived results indicate that the present model remains consistent with recent cosmological observations. We note that the deceleration parameter exhibits a signature flipping behavior at transition redshift $z_t \approx 0.643$, confirming the transition from matter-dominated deceleration to dark-energy-driven acceleration. The equation of state (EOS) parameter remains in the quintessence region and exhibits an asymptotical approach to the $\Lambda$CDM limit at late times. Moreover, the estimated cosmic age can be found as $13.724^{+0.087}_{-0.048}$ Gyr, which agrees well with recent observational estimations. The statefinder and Om diagnostics support the quintessence nature of the model. At the same time, the examination of energy conditions reveals that two specific energy conditions, viz. Null Energy Condition (NEC) and Dominant Energy Condition (DEC) are fulfilled, while the Strong Energy Condition (SEC) is violated, validating the accelerated expansion of the universe.
We study how local measurements constrain light scalar fields that are relevant in late time cosmic acceleration and are often discussed in connection with swampland criteria. Starting from a scalar-tensor framework, we define the swampland slope and curvature variables in the canonically normalized Einstein frame and relate them to Solar System tracking, Lunar Laser Ranging, equivalence principle tests and atomic clock comparisons. These measurements do not constrain the scalar velocity by itself, but products of that velocity with microscopic couplings to matter, gravity and atomic parameters. For coupling directions visible to local experiments, the scalar is driven into an ultra slow present regime. This severely restricts the possibility of realizing an $\mathcal{O}(1)$ de Sitter gradient through unscreened visible sector couplings alone. The refined de Sitter alternative remains possible, but in the single field hilltop realization it requires proximity to the maximum or a tuned suppression of the growing mode.
Inflationary cosmology explains the homogeneity and large-scale structure of the universe through a brief epoch of accelerated expansion following the Big Bang. Cyclic cosmologies, in contrast, describe a universe undergoing successive phases of expansion and contraction and can generate primordial perturbations through alternative mechanisms while extending cosmic history beyond a singular beginning. Because these paradigms address different aspects of cosmic evolution, they are often treated separately. Here we explore the possibility that they may instead arise together. In a cosmological scenario involving two scalar fields, one field governs the cyclic evolution of the universe while the other drives an inflationary phase after each cosmological bounce, suggesting that inflation may be a recurring feature of a cyclic universe.
The multi-messenger exploration of dark matter and physics beyond the Standard Model has emerged as a central direction in modern astro-particle physics, particularly following the discovery of gravitational waves. In this work, we present a comprehensive review and forward-looking perspective on machine-learning-enhanced multi-messenger approaches, combining information from gravitational waves, cosmic rays, gamma rays, neutrinos, and collider experiments. We summarize the current state of the field, discuss recent methodological developments, and outline a coherent research program aimed at integrating heterogeneous datasets within a unified inference framework. Our collaboration proposes here a plan for forthcoming analyses aiming at extracting information on the properties and interactions of dark matter, and finally on its genesis, combining multi-messenger astronomy techniques and inputs from laboratory physics. The main objectives planned in this line of research comprise: i) the multi-messenger analysis of new physics in cosmology, including mainly, but not only, several different models of dark matter; ii) the phenomenology of new physics signatures in ground-based cosmic rays experiments, with cross-correlation to the corresponding physical, astrophysical and cosmological observations; iii) the development of machine learning methods for data analysis in ground-based cosmic rays experiments, in light of the new physics signatures. We note that several groups have explored the use of multi-messenger observations, including gravitational waves, to probe alternative dark matter candidates. The present work builds on these developments by focusing on the role of machine learning in integrating heterogeneous datasets. We foresee that such a cross-fertilizing approach will represent the right path to extract information about the main questions left in fundamental physics.
Reheating is essential for transforming the cold, vacuum dominated Universe at the end of inflation into the hot thermal bath required by the Standard Model. In many well motivated inflationary models, however, the inflaton has no direct couplings to other fields, raising the question of how the Universe becomes repopulated with particles. We address this question within the framework of geometric reheating, where energy transfer occurs purely through gravitational effects. Focusing on a Higgs inflationary scenario with a non-minimal curvature coupling $ξϕ^2 R$, we derive the post-inflationary dynamics and compute particle production using the Bogoliubov formalism. We show that the rapid, oscillatory evolution of the curvature scalar after inflaton acts as a time dependent gravitational pump, creating scalar spectator particles even in the absence of explicit interactions. This curvature driven production mechanism provides a natural and efficient route to reheating, demonstrating that gravity alone can initiate the standard thermal history and bridge inflation with radiation domination in minimal, coupling free models of the early Universe.
We study inflationary dynamics within the framework of fractal cosmology, where space is characterized by an effective non-integer dimension $D$. In our work, fractal effects are sourced through thermodynamic modifications at the cosmological horizon. Using the modified Friedmann and continuity equations, we then derive the modified slow roll parameter and their evolution for linear, cubic, Starobinsky ($R+R^2$) and Natural inflationary potentials, showing that the slow roll parameters get suppressed for $D<3$. We further derive a fractal extension of the Mukhanov-Sasaki equation by introducing an effective momentum $k_{\text{eff}}$, which captures the modification of spatial Laplacian due to fractality. This leads to explicit corrections to the scalar power spectrum and the spectral index $n_s$, depending on both $D$ and a fractional length scale $L$. Confrontation with Planck 2018 data constrains the effective dimension to a best-fit range of $2.7\lesssim D \lesssim 3$ for the Starobinsky model. Furthermore, in the case of Natural Inflation, fractal corrections relax the usual requirement of super-Planckian axion decay constants, opening a phenomenologically viable parameter space inaccessible in the standard $3+1$ dimensional cosmology.
This study offers a detailed analysis of domain wall formation and its cosmological consequences in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity coupled to a scalar field. A central aspect of the model is the scalar field Lagrangian's ability to spontaneously break and restore its $Z_2$ discrete symmetry. This spontaneous symmetry breaking is a fundamental prerequisite for topological defect formation. In this context, domain walls arise as kink-like, solitonic solutions that interpolate between the distinct vacuum states of the theory. We perform a detailed numerical analysis of the dynamics of a neutral scalar field non-minimally coupled to the Gauss-Bonnet invariant, exploring its behavior across different cosmological backgrounds. Our results show that coupling to the Gauss-Bonnet term enables the formation of static domain walls with a fixed proper distance within a de Sitter (inflationary) background. Furthermore, we extend our analysis to a radiation-dominated epoch, where we identify that the cosmic expansion causes the "melting" of these domain walls. To assess the potential observational signatures of this scenario, we calculate the predicted spectrum of stochastic gravitational waves generated by the network dynamics using {\it CosmoLattice} package. We also examine the possible generation of Primordial Black Holes (PBHs) associated with collapsing domain walls. Regrettably, our calculations indicate that the direct observational detection of such domain walls from this model lies beyond the reach of foreseeable experiments. Our results constitute a No-Go argument against the generation of PBHs as well as of large amplitude GW signals from domain walls in a Scalar-EGB spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism.
The lack of clear new-physics signals at the LHC searches motivates models that can guide current and future collider searches. The spectral action principle within the noncommutative geometry (NCG) framework yields such models with distinctive phenomenology. This formalism derives the actions of the Standard Model, General Relativity, and beyond from the underlying algebra, putting them on a common geometric footing. Certain versions of Pati-Salam (PS) models with gauge coupling unification and limited scalar content can be derived from an appropriate noncommutative algebra. In this paper, I review these gauge-coupling-unified Pati-Salam models and discuss their phenomenological aspects, focusing on the $S_1$ scalar leptoquark.
Primordial black holes (PBHs) are well-motivated candidates for cold dark matter and may also account for a fraction of the binary black hole mergers observed by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration. In this study, we investigate the gravitational-wave signatures of PBHs, with a particular focus on evaluating their integrated contribution to the stochastic gravitational-wave background arising from binary mergers over a broad range of redshifts. We perform a Bayesian analysis of gravitational-wave events following all Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog data, assuming a log-normal PBH mass function. We compute the merger rate distribution of PBH binaries by accounting for gravitational torques from the surrounding PBH. To constrain this rate, we employ the latest limits from the third observing run of LIGO/Virgo. Owing to their primordial origin, PBHs exhibit enhanced merger activity at high redshifts, prior to the onset of stellar formation. Our analysis yields a relatively weak inference on the redshift evolution index of the PBH merger rate, with $α= 2.19^{+0.16}_{-0.16}$ at 68\% confidence level. The local merger rate of PBH binaries is found with posterior estimates lying in the range $23.5-30.3~\mathrm{Gpc}^{-3}\,\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$, reflecting a high degree of statistical precision in the inferred distribution. Additionally, we emphasize the potential of stochastic gravitational-wave background observations to probe the cumulative history of PBH mergers across cosmic time.
We investigate particle production by a pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson (pNGB) in the spontaneous baryogenesis scenario for large misalignment angles. Since the fermionic backreaction is intrinsically nonlocal in time, the large-angle problem is in general difficult to treat directly. We argue that the adiabaticity conditions are parametrically satisfied in the model, allowing the backreaction to be described by a local Markovian approximation while retaining the nonlinear dependence of the pNGB potential on the angular field. Through a numerical study of arbitrary initial phases, we reproduce the cubic dependence of the baryon asymmetry for small oscillations and demonstrate that this behavior breaks down for large oscillations, especially for initial phases close to $\pi$. Our calculations indicate that particle production saturates as the initial phase approaches $\pi$ in Minkowski spacetime. The analysis is then extended to conformal Friedmann--Lema\^itre--Robertson--Walker (FLRW) spacetime, where the generated asymmetry shows a pronounced dependence on the damping rate of the pNGB motion. We further discuss the baryon-isocurvature bound on the ratio $H_\star/f$ and present sample parameter sets that satisfy this constraint at large misalignment. We also discuss the probability distribution of the baryon asymmetry.
BSM physics, on which the now standard inflationary cosmology with baryosynthesis and dark matter/energy is based, inevitably leads to cosmological scenarios beyond this standard model, involving specific model dependent choice of models and parameters of BSM physics. Such model dependent cosmological predictions may have already found confirmations in the positive results of direct dark matter searches by DAMA/NaI and DAMA/LIBRA experiments, interpretation of the results of Gravitational Wave experiments in terms of Primordial Black Hole merging, observation of Stochastic GravitationalWave background by Pulsar Timing Arrays, indications of early galaxy formation in the observations of James Webb Space Telescope and searches for cosmic antihelium in the AMS02 experiment. We discuss the open questions in studies of these signatures of BSM cosmology.
Interest on the possible future scenarios the universe could have has grew substantially with breakthroughs on late-time acceleration. Holographic dark energy (HDE) presents a very interesting approach towards addressing late-time acceleration, presenting an intriguing interface of ideas from quantum gravity and cosmology. In this work we present an extensive discussion of possible late-time scenarios, focusing on rips and similar events, in a universe with holographic dark energy. We discuss these events in the realm of the generalized Nojiri-Odintsov cutoff and also for the more primitive holographic cutoffs like Hubble, particle and event horizon cutoffs. We also discuss the validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics and various energy conditions in these regimes. Our work points towards the idea that it is not possible to have alternatives of the big rip consistently in the simpler HDE cutoffs, and shows the flexibility of the generalized HDE cutoff as well.
We consider Axion-like particle (ALP) model to construct numerical spatially homogeneous anisotropic Kantowski-Sachs cosmological model. We present various analytical and numerical results in this regard, discussing the evolution of various important cosmological parameters in this regard with ALP scalar field. We also present some general results for generic scalar field in a Kantowski-Sachs background.
This work comprises a study of the thermodynamic behavior of modified $f(\bar{R},\bar{T})$ gravity, which had been developed based on a non-canonical theory known as K-essence theory. In this development, we use the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) type of non-standard Lagrangian. We develop a modified first law and generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSLT) within the modified $f(\bar{R},\bar{T})$ gravity, where we consider the background metric to be the usual Friedmann-Lema$\hat{\text{i}}$tre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) type. A graphical analysis of surface gravity has been performed for the modified FLRW metric via the $f(\bar{R},\bar{T})$ theory, which is different from the usual FLRW gravity through the usual $f(R,T)$ gravity. Exponential and power law scale factors are used to analyze cosmic surface gravity. Through the investigation of the modified GSLT, using the relation of scale factor with the scalar field, we have seen that during the initial phase of the universe, the entropy's rate of change may be either negative or positive, contingent upon the value of the curvature constant. The negativity of the entropy change indicates that the modified GSLT is not feasible in that particular area for a particular curvature constant. These traits suggest that during the inflationary period, entropy might have been either negative or positive. It has also been seen that entropy saturates every curvature value at different time ranges, which indicates the heat death of the universe.
Understanding the late-time acceleration of the universe and its subtleties is one of the biggest mysteries in cosmology. A lot of different approaches have been put forward to deal with this, ranging from the conventional cosmological constant to various models of dark energy and beyond. Recently one very interesting approach to explaining the late time acceleration has been put forward, where the the expansion of the universe is driven by mergers with other "baby" universes and has been shown to be quite viable as well from the point of view of recent observational data. So in this work we examine the possibility of various rip scenarios and other future cosmological singularities in such "multiversal" scenario, probing such singularities for the first time in a multi universe scenario. We examine two models of such a baby universe merging cosmology, and show that remarkably no rip scenario or future cosmological singularity is possible in such models.
Several Pulsar Timing Array (PTA) collaborations have recently reported the evidence for a stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB), which can unveil the formation of primordial seeds of inhomogeneities in the early universe. With the SGWB parameters inferred from PTAs data, we can make a prediction of the seeds for early galaxy formation from the domain walls in the axion-like particles (ALPs) field distribution. This also naturally provides a solution to the observation of high redshifts by the James Webb Space Telescope. The predicted photon coupling of the ALP is within the reach of future experimental searches.