arXiv subjects

O. Bertolami

Publications and source records attributed to O. Bertolami.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Generalized Chaplygin Gas, Accelerated Expansion and Dark Energy-Matter Unification

We consider the scenario emerging from the dynamics of a generalized $d$-brane in a $(d+1, 1)$ spacetime. The equation of state describing this system is given in terms of the energy density, $ρ$, and pressure, $p$, by the relationship $p = - A/ρ^α$, where $A$ is a positive constant and $0 < α\le 1$. We discuss the conditions under which homogeneity arises and show that this equation of state describes the evolution of a universe evolving from a phase dominated by non-relativistic matter to a phase dominated by a cosmological constant via an intermediate period where the effective equation of state is given by $p = αρ$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2001

A Two-Field Quintessence Model

We study the dynamics of a quintessence model based on two interacting scalar fields. The model can account for the (recent) accelerated expansion of the Universe suggested by astronomical observations. Acceleration can be permanent or temporary and, for both scenarios, it is possible to obtain suitable values for the cosmological parameters while satisfying the nucleosynthesis constraint on the quintessence energy density. We argue that the model dynamics can be made consistent with a stable zero-energy relaxing supersymmetric vacuum.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Cosmological Bounds on an Invisibly Decaying Higgs Boson

We derive bounds on the Higgs boson coupling $g^{\prime}$ to a stable light scalar which is regarded as a collisional dark matter candidate. We study the behaviour of this scalar, that we refer to as phion ($ϕ$), in the early Universe for different ranges of its mass. We find that a phion in the mass range of $100 \mev$ is excluded, while if its mass is about $1 \gev$, a rather large coupling constant, $g^{\prime} \gsim 2$, and $m_h \lsim 130 \gev$ are required in order to avoid overabundance. In the latter case, the invisible decay mode of the Higgs boson is dominant.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Quintessence with Coupled Scalar Fields

We discuss the dynamics of a quintessence model involving two coupled scalar fields. The model presents two types of solutions, namely solutions that correspond to eternal and transient acceleration of the universe. In both cases, we obtain values for the cosmological parameters that satisfy current observational bounds as well as the nucleosynthesis constraint on the quintessence energy density.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2001

N=1 Supergravity Chaotic Inflation in the Braneworld Scenario

We study a N=1 Supergravity chaotic inflationary model, in the context of the braneworld scenario. It is shown that successful inflation and reheating consistent with phenomenological constraints can be achieved via the new terms in the Friedmann equation arising from brane physics. Interestingly, the model satisfies observational bounds with sub-Planckian field values, implying that chaotic inflation on the brane is free from the well known difficulties associated with the presence of higher order non-renormalizable terms in the superpotential. A bound on the mass scale of the fifth dimension, $M_5 \gsim 1.3 \times 10^{-6} M_P$, is obtained from the requirement that the reheating temperature be higher than the temperature of the electroweak phase transition.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Cosmological Constraints on an Invisibly Decaying Higgs Boson

Working in the context of a proposal for collisional dark matter, we derive bounds on the Higgs boson coupling $g^{\prime}$ to a stable light scalar particle, which we refer to as phion ($ϕ$), required to solve problems with small scale structure formation which arise in collisionless dark matter models. We discuss the behaviour of the phion in the early universe for different ranges of its mass. We find that a phion in the mass range of 100 MeV is excluded and that a phion in the mass range of 1 GeV requires a large coupling constant, $g^{\prime} \gsim 2$, and $m_h \lsim 130$ GeV in order to avoid overabundance, in which case the invisible decay mode of the Higgs boson would be dominant.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays and Symmetries of Spacetime

High energy cosmic rays allow probing phenomena that are inacessible to accelerators. Observation of cosmic rays, presumebly protons, with energies beyond $4 \times 10^{19} eV$, the so-called Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin (GZK) cut-off, give origin to two puzzles: How do particles accelerate to such energies ? Are their sources within $50 - 100 Mpc$ from Earth, or Lorentz invariance is actually a broken symmetry ?

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Self-Interacting Scalar Dark Matter and Higgs Decay

Self-interacting dark matter has been suggested in order to overcome the difficulties of the Cold Dark Matter model on galactic scales. We argue that a scalar gauge singlet coupled to the Higgs boson, leading to an invisibly decaying Higgs, is an interesting candidate for this self-interacting dark matter particle.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Fitting BOOMERANG and MAXIMA-1 data with a Einstein-Yang-Mills Cosmological Model

We analyse the implications of recent Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) data for a specific cosmological model, based on the higher-dimensional Einstein-Yang-Mills System compactified on a $R\times S^3\times S^d$ topology and conclude that the model parameters are tightly constrained by CMB spectra. Moreover, the model predicts a relationship between the deceleration parameter at present, $q_0$, and some characteristic features of CMB spectra, namely the height of the first peak and the location of the second peak, that is consistent with the observations and which can be further tested by future CMB and other experiments.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Self-interacting Dark Matter and Invisibly Decaying Higgs

Self-interacting dark matter has been suggested in order to overcome the difficulties of the Cold Dark Matter model on galactic scales. We argue that a scalar gauge singlet coupled to the Higgs boson, which could lead to an invisibly decaying Higgs, is an interesting candidate for this self-interacting dark matter particle. We also present estimates on the abundance of these particles today as well as consequences to non-Newtonian forces.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Proposed astrophysical test of Lorentz invariance

Working in the context of a Lorentz-violating extension of the standard model we show that estimates of Lorentz symmetry violation extracted from ultra-high energy cosmic rays beyond the Greisen-Kuzmin-Zatsepin (GZK) cutoff allow for setting bounds on parameters of that extension. Furthermore, we argue that a correlated measurement of the difference in the arrival time of gamma-ray photons and neutrinos emitted from active galactic nuclei or gamma-ray bursts may provide a signature of possible violation of Lorentz symmetry. We have found that this time delay is energy independent, however it has a dependence on the chirality of the particles involved. We also briefly discuss the known settings where the mechanism for spontaneous violation of Lorentz symmetry in the context of string/M-theory may take place.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

On the spontaneous breaking of Lorentz invariance

We show that estimates of the Lorentz symmetry violation extracted from ultra-high energy cosmic rays beyond the GZK cut-off set bounds on the parameters of a Lorentz-violating extension of the Standard Model. Moreover, we argue that correlated measurements of the difference in the arrival time of gamma-ray photons and neutrinos emitted from Active Galactic Nuclei or Gamma-Ray Bursts may provide a signature for a possible violation of the Lorentz symmetry. We find that this time delay is energy independent, but that it has a dependence on the chirality of the particles involved.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Nonminimal coupling and quintessence

Recent studies of Type Ia Supernovae with redshifts up to about $z~\laq~1$ reveal evidence for a cosmic acceleration in the expansion of the Universe. The most straightforward explanation to account for this acceleration is a cosmological constant dominating the recent history of our Universe; however, a more interesting suggestion is to consider an evolving vacuum energy. Several proposals have been put forward along these lines, most of them in the context of General Relativity. In this work we analyse the conditions under which the dynamics of a self-interacting Brans-Dicke field can account for this accelerated expansion of the Universe. We show that accelerated expanding solutions can be achieved with a quadratic self-coupling of the Brans-Dicke field and a negative coupling constant $ω$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1999

Compactification, Vacuum Energy and Quintessence

We study the possibility that the vacuum energy density of scalar and internal-space gauge fields arising from the process of dimensional reduction of higher dimensional gravity theories plays the role of quintessence. We show that, for the multidimensional Einstein-Yang-Mills system compactified on a $R \times S^3 \times S^d$ topology, there are classically stable solutions such that the observed accelerated expansion of the Universe at present can be accounted for without upsetting structure formation scenarios or violating observational bounds on the vacuum energy density.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1999

Primordial Magnetic Fields via Spontaneous Breaking of Lorentz Invariance

Spontaneous breaking of Lorentz invariance compatible with observational limits may realistically take place in the context of string theories, possibly endowing the photon with a mass. In this process the conformal symmetry of the electromagnetic action is broken allowing for the possibility of generating large scale ($\sim Mpc$) magnetic fields within inflationary scenarios. We show that for reheating temperatures safe from the point of view of the gravitino and moduli problem, $T_{RH} \laq 10^{9} GeV$ for $m_{3/2} \approx 1 TeV$, the strength of the generated seed fields is, in our mechanism, consistent with amplification by the galactic dynamo processes and can be even as large as to explain the observed galactic magnetic fields through the collapse of protogalactic clouds.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1999

Nucleosynthesis Constraints on a Scale-Dependent New Intermediate Range Interaction

We derive constraints on the strength of a new intermediate range interaction that couples to baryon number from primordial nucleosynthesis yields. The nucleosysnthesis limits here used arise from matching observations and predictions of standard and inhomogeneous primordial scenarios. We show that the standard nucleosynthesis scenario is more restrictive ($α_5 \lsim 0.2$) when the range of the interaction is greater than about 1 m. We further discuss the implications of considering the scalar particle responsible for the new interaction as the main component of the dark matter in the galactic halo such that its decay can account for the ionization of hydrogen in the interstellar medium and the temperature of Lyman-$α$ clouds.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1999

Seed Magnetic Fields from the Breaking of Lorentz Invariance

Spontaneous breaking of Lorentz invariance may take place in string theories, possibly endowing the photon with a mass. This leads to the breaking of the conformal symmetry of the electromagnetic action allowing for the generation within inflationary scenarios of magnetic fields over $Mpc$ scales. We show that the generated fields are consistent with amplification by the galactic dynamo processes and can be as large as to explain the observed galactic magnetic fields through the collapse of protogalactic clouds.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1999

Gamma-ray bursts, axion emission and string theory dilaton

The emission of axions from supernovae is an interesting possibility to account for the Gamma-Ray Bursts provided their energy can be effectively converted into electromagnetic energy elsewhere. The connection between supernova and gamma-ray bursts has been recently confirmed by the observed correlation between the burst of April 25, 1998 and the supernova SN1998bw. We argue that the axion convertion into photons can be more efficient if one considers the coupling between an intermediate scale axion and the string theory dilaton along with the inclusion of string loops. We also discuss the way dilaton dynamics may allow for a more effective energy exchange with electromagnetic radiation in the expansion process of fireballs.

astro-ph↗