arXiv subjects

Paulo Moniz

Publications and source records attributed to Paulo Moniz.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Non-Markovian Memory-Induced Effects in Quantum Cosmology

We study memory effects in quantum cosmology by extending the semiclassical Wheeler-DeWitt framework beyond its usual local form. The main idea is to introduce a causal memory kernel at sub leading order, rather than imposing fractional derivatives directly by hand. In this setting, fractional time evolution appears as an effective description of the underlying nonlocal dynamics. We apply the framework to cosmological perturbations in de Sitter space and find a correction to the primordial power spectrum with a characteristic $k^{3/4}$ scaling. This contribution mainly affects high $l$ CMB temperature anisotropies, in contrast with standard semiclassical quantum gravitational corrections, which are strongest at large angular scales. We also discuss how the same memory-dependent dynamics may affect primordial non-Gaussianity, producing scale dependent corrections to the bispectrum and possible deviations from the usual squeezed limit consistency relation. Since the memory coefficient controls short scale power, it may also influence structure formation and could require some tuning in order to give phenomenologically acceptable astrophysical environments. Finally, we suggest that a cyclic extension of the Hawking-Hartle no-boundary proposal may provide a setting in which the effective memory strength can evolve across successive cosmological histories. In this way, the framework gives a concrete realization of fractional quantum cosmology based on memory effects and also points to possible observational signatures of nonlocal quantum gravitational dynamics.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Power-Law Inflation in n-Dimensional Fractional Scalar Field Cosmology: Observational Constraints and Dynamical Analysis

Power-law inflation with $a(t) \propto t^m$ is conceptually simple and predicts a scalar tilt $n_s = 1 - 2/m$ compatible with CMB data, but in four-dimensional Einstein gravity it typically yields a tensor-to-scalar ratio $r = 16/m$ that is too large to satisfy current bounds. We show that a minimal extension based on fractional scalar-field cosmology resolves this tension. Introducing a fractional order $\alpha \neq 1$ generates non-local (memory) corrections in the Friedmann and Klein-Gordon dynamics that suppress $r$ while keeping $n_s$ essentially unchanged. We derive an explicit mapping $\alpha(n,m)$ and recover the standard power-law limit as $\alpha \to 1$. For observationally favored values $\alpha \approx 0.8$-$0.9$ in four dimensions we obtain $n_s \approx 0.965$ and $r \lesssim 0.04$, bringing power-law inflation into agreement with data. The scalar potential follows self-consistently as an exponential, and a dynamical-systems analysis shows the fractional power-law solutions form stable inflationary attractors over the viable parameter range. These results establish fractional power-law inflation as a predictive and testable framework, with clear targets for forthcoming CMB polarization measurements.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Inflation and Primordial Perturbations in Fractal Cosmology

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.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Future Rip Scenarios in Fractional Holographic Dark Energy

In this paper, we investigate the occurrence of late-time cosmological singularities, namely, the rip scenarios within the framework of interacting Fractional Holographic Dark Energy (FHDE). We start our investigation with the Granda-Oliveros (GO) cutoff, i.e., $L=(\gamma H^{2}+\delta\dot{H})^{-\frac{1}{2}}$, and highlight the range of allowed $\alpha$ (L\'evy's index) values for which big, little and pseudo rip can occur. In particular, we highlight the occurrence of a big rip for fractional values of the L\'evy's index in the allowed range $1<\alpha\leq2$. Moreover, we conclude that the occurrence of a pseudo-rip requires L\'evy's index to be $\alpha>2$. Therefore, we reject the possibility of pseudo-rip within the GO cutoff. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the occurrence of the little rip in FHDE equipped with a GO cutoff is rather contrived and requires a specific functional form of the IR cutoff $L\sim(\gamma H^{2}+g(H))^{-\frac{1}{2}}$, which belongs to a larger class of Nojiri-Odintsov (NO) cutoffs. To extend our perspective beyond the GO cutoff, we investigate the interacting FHDE framework equipped with the Hubble cutoff, i.e., $L=H^{-1}$, in developing an ansatz-based approach to the little and pseudo-rip singularities as they fail to appear in the GO cutoff. Within this approach, we invoke the expression of the Hubble parameter, $H(t)$, which corresponds to the little and pseudo-rip, into the cosmological parameters such as the Equation of State (EoS) and Squared Sound Speed (SSS) as a function of cosmic time $t$. We produce numerical plots of these parameters in both linear and non-linear $Q$ regimes, which supplement our theoretical findings. In summary, our results highlight the occurrence of little and pseudo-rip singularities within a Hubble cutoff for a non-linear $Q$ term within the FHDE framework.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Reconstructing FHDE with Scalar and Gauge Fields

We revisit the Fractional Holographic Dark Energy (FHDE) model to reconstruct it by means of dynamic candidates such as ($i$) Quintessence, ($ii$) K-essence, ($iii$) Dilaton, ($iv$) Yang-Mills condensate, ($v$) DBI-essence, and ($vi$) Tachyonic fields in a flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) Universe. In particular, the dark-energy possibilities ($i$)-($vi$) are formulated through suitable field descriptions. Being concrete, we establish a comprehensive correspondence between FHDE and suitable scalar and gauge field frameworks that co-substantiate our investigation and subsequent discussion. In more detail, we methodically compute the corresponding Equation of State (EoS) parameters and field (kinetic and potential) features for the fractional parameter ($\alpha$) range, viz. $1<\alpha\leq2$. Conclusively, our results show that the modifications brought by the fractional features satisfactorily enable late-time cosmic acceleration, together with avoiding quantum instabilities by preventing the EoS from entering the phantom divide i.e., $\omega(z)\rightarrow-\infty$, which is a common issue in standard scalar field models without fractional dynamics (e.g., K-essence field). Our findings further indicate that fractional calculus attributes can be significant in addressing the challenges of dark-energy models by offering a robust framework to prospect late-time acceleration and properly fitting observational constraints. Notably, we find that as the fractional features start to dominate, the EoS parameter of all the effective field configurations asymptotically approaches a $\Lambda$CDM behaviour in the far-future limit $z\rightarrow-1$. In summary, the recent perspective introduced by FHDE \citep{Trivedi:2024inb} can indeed be cast as a promising aspirant through the use of prominent field frameworks.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Visions in Quantum Gravity

To deepen our understanding of Quantum Gravity and its connections with black holes and cosmology, building a common language and exchanging ideas across different approaches is crucial. The Nordita Program "Quantum Gravity: from gravitational effective field theories to ultraviolet complete approaches" created a platform for extensive discussions, aimed at pinpointing both common grounds and sources of disagreements, with the hope of generating ideas and driving progress in the field. This contribution summarizes the twelve topical discussions held during the program and collects individual thoughts of speakers and panelists on the future of the field in light of these discussions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Fractional Holographic Dark Energy

Holographic dark energy theories present a fascinating interface to probe late-time cosmology, as guided by contemporary ideas about quantum gravity. In this work, we present a new holographic dark energy scenario designated Fractional Holographic Dark Energy (FHDE). This model extends the conventional framework of HDEs by incorporating specific features from fractional calculus recently applied, e.g., in cosmological settings. In this manner, we retrieve a novel form of HDE energy density. We then show how FHDE can provide a consistent picture of the evolution of the late-time universe even with the simple choice of the Hubble horizon as the IR (infrared) cutoff. We provide detailed descriptions of the cosmological evolution, showing how the fractional calculus ingredients can alleviate quite a few issues associated with the conventional HDE scenario. Concretely, we compute and plot diagrams using the Hubble horizon cutoff for HDE. The density parameters for DE and dark matter (DM), the deceleration parameter, and the DE EoS parameter indicate how the universe may evolve within our FHDE model, fitting within an appropriate scenario of late-time cosmology.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Observations in Quantum Cosmology

In this review, we focus on whether a canonical quantization of general relativity can produce testable predictions for cosmology. In particular, we examine how this approach can be used to model the evolution of primordial perturbations. This program of quantum geometrodynamics, first advocated by John Wheeler and Bryce DeWitt, has a straightforward classical limit, and it describes the quantum dynamics of all fields, gravitational and matter. In this context, in which a classical background metric is absent, it is necessary to discuss what constitutes an observation. We first address this issue in the classical theory and then turn to the quantum theory. We argue that predictions are relational, that is, relative to physical clocks and rods, and that they can be straightforwardly obtained in a perturbative approach with respect to Newton's constant, which serves as a coupling parameter. This weak-coupling expansion leads to a perturbative Hilbert space for quantum cosmology, and to corrections to the dynamics of quantum fields on a classical, fixed background metric. These corrections imply modifications of primordial power spectra, which may lead to signatures in the anisotropy spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, for which we discuss concrete results. We conclude that the subject of quantum geometrodynamics, the oldest and most conservative approach to canonical quantum gravity, not only illuminates conceptual issues in quantum gravitation, but may also lead to observational prospects in cosmology and elsewhere.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2005

Semiclassical approximation to supersymmetric quantum gravity

We develop a semiclassical approximation scheme for the constraint equations of supersymmetric canonical quantum gravity. This is achieved by a Born-Oppenheimer type of expansion, in analogy to the case of the usual Wheeler-DeWitt equation. The formalism is only consistent if the states at each order depend on the gravitino field. We recover at consecutive orders the Hamilton-Jacobi equation, the functional Schrodinger equation, and quantum gravitational correction terms to this Schrodinger equation. In particular, the following consequences are found: (i) the Hamilton-Jacobi equation and therefore the background spacetime must involve the gravitino, (ii) a (many fingered) local time parameter has to be present on $SuperRiem Σ$ (the space of all possible tetrad and gravitino fields), (iii) quantum supersymmetric gravitational corrections affect the evolution of the very early universe. The physical meaning of these equations and results, in particular the similarities to and differences from the pure bosonic case, are discussed.

gr-qc↗