arXiv subjects

Peter K. S. Dunsby

Publications and source records attributed to Peter K. S. Dunsby.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Model independent reconstruction of cosmological accelerated-decelerated phase

We propose two model independent methods to obtain constraints on the transition and equivalence redshifts $z_{tr}$, $z_{eq}$. In particular, we consider $z_{tr}$ as the onset of cosmic acceleration, whereas $z_{eq}$ the redshift at which the densities of dark energy and pressureless matter are equated. With this prescription, we expand the Hubble and deceleration parameters up to two hierarchical orders and show a linear correlation between transition and equivalence, from which we propose exclusion plots where $z_{eq}$ is not allowed to span. To this end, we discuss how to build up cosmographic expansions in terms of $z_{tr}$ and compute the corresponding observable quantities directly fitting the luminosity and angular distances and the Hubble rate with cosmic data. We make our computations through Monte Carlo fits involving type Ia supernova, baryonic acoustic oscillation and Hubble most recent data catalogs. We show at $1σ$ confidence level the $Λ$CDM predictions on $z_{tr}$ and $z_{eq}$ are slightly confirmed, although at $2σ$ confidence level dark energy expectations cannot be excluded. Finally, we theoretically interpret our outcomes and discuss possible limitations of our overall approach.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2021

On homothetic Killing vectors in stationary axisymmetric vacuum spacetimes

In this paper we consider homothetic Killing vectors in the class of stationary axisymmetric vacuum (SAV) spacetimes, where the components of the vectors are functions of the time and radial coordinates. In this case the component of any homothetic Killing vector along the $z$ direction must be constant. Firstly, it is shown that either the component along the radial direction is constant or we have the proportionality $g_{ϕϕ}\propto g_{ρρ}$, where $g_{ϕϕ}>0$. In both cases, complete analyses are carried out and the general forms of the homothetic Killing vectors are determined. The associated conformal factors are also obtained. The case of vanishing twist in the metric, i.e., $ω= 0$ is considered and the complete forms of the homothetic Killing vectors are determined, as well as the associated conformal factors.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Covariant density and velocity perturbations of the quasi-Newtonian cosmological model in $f(T)$ gravity

We investigate classes of shear-free cosmological dust models with irrotational fluid flows within the framework of $f(T)$ gravity. In particular, we use the $1 + 3$ covariant formalism and present the covariant linearised evolution and constraint equations describing such models. We then derive the integrability conditions describing a consistent evolution of the linearised field equations of these quasi-Newtonian universes in the $f(T)$ gravitational theory. Finally, we derive the evolution equations for the density and velocity perturbations of the quasi-Newtonian universe. We explore the behaviour of the matter density contrast for two models - $f(T)= μT_{0}(T/T_{0})^{n}$ and the more generalised case, where $f(T)= T+ μT_{0} (T/T_{0})^{n}$, with and without the application of the quasi-static approximation. Our numerical solutions show that these $f(T)$ theories can be suitable alternatives to study the background dynamics, whereas the growth of energy density fluctuations change dramatically from the expected $Λ$CDM behaviour even for small deviations away from the general relativistic limits of the underlying $f(T)$ theory. Moreover, applying the so-called quasi-static approximation yields exact-solution results that are orders of magnitude different from the numerically integrated solutions of the full system, suggesting that these approximations are not applicable here.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Geometric properties of a certain class of compact dynamical horizons in locally rotationally symmetric class II spacetimes

In this paper we study the geometry of a certain class of compact dynamical horizons with a time-dependent induced metric in locally rotationally symmetric class II spacetimes. We first obtain a compactness condition for embedded $3$-manifolds in these spacetimes, satisfying the weak energy condition, with non-negative isotropic pressure $p$. General conditions for a $3$-manifold to be a dynamical horizon are imposed, as well as certain genericity conditions, which in the case of locally rotationally symmetric class II spacetimes reduces to the statement that `the weak energy condition is strictly satisfied or otherwise violated'. The compactness condition is presented as a spatial first order partial differential equation in the sheet expansion $ϕ$, in the form $\hatϕ+(3/4)ϕ^2-cK=0$, where $K$ is the Gaussian curvature of $2$-surfaces in the spacetime and $c$ is a real number parametrizing the differential equation, where $c$ can take on only two values, $0$ and $2$. Using geometric arguments, it is shown that the case $c=2$ can be ruled out, and the $\mathbb{S}^3$ ($3$-dimensional sphere) geometry of compact dynamical horizons for the case $c=0$ is established. Finally, an invariant characterization of this class of compact dynamical horizons is also presented.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Analysis of branon dark matter and extra-dimensional models with AMS-02

In the following work, we compute the positron production from branon dark matter annihilations in order to constrain extra-dimensional theories. By having assumed that the positron fraction measured by AMS-02 is well explained just with astrophysical sources, exclusion diagrams for the branon mass and the tension of the brane, the two parameters characterising the branon phenomenology become possible. Our analysis has been performed for a minimal and a medium diffusion model in one extra dimension for both pseudo-isothermal and Navarro Frenck White dark matter haloes. Our constraints in the dark matter mass candidate range between 200 GeV and 100 TeV. Combined with previous cosmological analyses and experimental data in colliders, it allows us to set bounds on the parameter space of branons. In particular, we have discarded regions in the mass-tension diagram up to a branon mass of 28 TeV for the pseudo-Isothermal prole and minimal diffusion, and 63 TeV for the Navarro-Frenck-White profile and medium diffusion.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Reviving The Shear-Free Perfect Fluid Conjecture In General Relativity

Employing a Mathematica symbolic computer algebra package called xTensor, we present $(1+3)$-covariant special case proofs of the shear-free perfect fluid conjecture in General Relativity. We first present the case where the pressure is constant, and where the acceleration is parallel to the vorticity vector. These cases were first presented in their covariant form by Senovilla et. al. We then provide a covariant proof for the case where the acceleration and vorticity vectors are orthogonal, which leads to the existence of a Killing vector along the vorticity. This Killing vector satisfies the new constraint equations resulting from the vanishing of the shear. Furthermore, it is shown that in order for the conjecture to be true, this Killing vector must have a vanishing spatially projected directional covariant derivative along the velocity vector field. This in turn implies the existence of another \textit{basic} vector field along the direction of the vorticity for the conjecture to hold. Finally, we show that in general, there exist a \textit{basic} vector field parallel to the acceleration for which the conjecture is true.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Echoes from the black holes: Evidence of higher order corrections to General Relativity in strong gravity regime

We show that the higher order curvature corrections to general relativity in the strong gravity regime of near horizon scales produce a rapidly oscillating and infalling Ricci scalar fireball just outside the horizon. This can generate the ringdown modes of gravitational waves having the same natural frequency as those which are generated by the black hole mergers. Our analysis provides a viable explanation to the echoes in the ringdown modes recently detected from the LIGO data, without invoking the existence of any exotic structures at the horizon.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Model-independent limits and constraints on extended theories of gravity from cosmic reconstruction techniques

The onset of dark energy domination depends on the particular gravitational theory driving the cosmic evolution. Model independent techniques are crucial to test both the present $Λ$CDM cosmological paradigm and alternative theories, making the least possible number of assumptions about the Universe. In this paper we investigate whether cosmography is able to distinguish between different gravitational theories, by determining bounds on model parameters for three different extensions of General Relativity, i.e. $k-$essence, $F(T)$ and $f(R)$ theories. We expand each class of theories in powers of redshift $z$ around the present time, making no additional assumptions. This procedure is an extension of previous work and can be seen as the most general approach for testing extended theories of gravity with cosmography. In the case of $F(T)$ and $f(R)$ theories, we show that some assumptions on model parameters often made in previous works are superfluous or unjustified. We use data from the Union2.1 SN catalogue, BAO data and $H(z)$ differential age compilations, which probe cosmology on different scales. We perform a Monte Carlo analysis using a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm with a Gelman-Rubin convergence criterion, reporting 1-$σ$ and 2-$σ$ confidence levels. We perform two distinct fits, first taking only data at $z<1$ and then for all $z$. We obtain the corresponding parameter intervals, and find that the data is compatible the $Λ$CDM limit of all three theories at the 1-$σ$ level, while still compatible with quite a large portion of parameter space. We compare our results to the truncated $Λ$CDM paradigm, showing that the permitted regions of coefficients are significantly modified and in general widened compared to values reported in the existing literature. Finally, we test the extended theories through the Bayesian selection criteria AIC and BIC.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Scalar wave scattering from Schwarzschild black holes in modified gravity

We consider the scattering of gravitational waves off a Schwarzschild black hole in $f(R)$ gravity. We show that the reflection and transmission coefficients for tensor waves are the same as in General Relativity. While the scalar waves, which are not present in General Relativity, demonstrate interesting features. The equation that governs these scalar waves can be reduced to a Volterra integral equation. Analysis of this equation shows that a larger fraction of these waves are reflected compared to what one obtains for tensors. This may provide a novel observational signature for fourth order gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Integrability conditions of quasi-Newtonian cosmologies in modified gravity

We investigate the integrability conditions of a class of shear-free perfect-fluid cosmological models within the framework of anisotropic fluid sources, applying our results to f(R) dark energy models. Generalising earlier general relativistic results for time-like geodesics, we extend the potential and acceleration terms of the quasi-Newtonian formulation of integrable dust cosmological models about a linearized Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker background and derive the equations that describe their dynamical evolutions. We show that in general, models with an anisotropic fluid source are not consistent, but because of the particular form the anisotropic stress takes in f(R) gravity, the general integrability conditions, in this case, are satisfied.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Dark Energy and Dark Matter from an additional adiabatic fluid

The Dark Sector is described by an additional barotropic fluid which evolves adiabatically during the universe's history and whose adiabatic exponent $γ$ is derived from the standard definitions of specific heats. Although in general $γ$ is a function of the redshift, the Hubble parameter and its derivatives, we find that our assumptions lead necessarily to solutions with $γ= $ constant in a FLRW universe. The adiabatic fluid acts effectively as the sum of two distinct components, one evolving like non-relativistic matter and the other depending on the value of the adiabatic index. This makes the model particularly interesting as a way of simultaneously explaining the nature of both Dark Energy and Dark Matter, at least at the level of the background cosmology. The $Λ$CDM model is included in this family of theories when $γ= 0$. We fit our model to SNIa, $H(z)$ and BAO data, discussing the model selection criteria. The implications for the early-universe and the growth of small perturbations in this model are also discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Is cosmography a useful tool for testing cosmology?

Model-independent methods in cosmology has become an essential tool in order to deal with an increasing number of theoretical alternatives for explaining the late-time acceleration of the Universe. In principle, this provides a way of testing the Cosmological Concordance (or $Λ$CDM) model under different assumptions and ruling out whole classes of competing theories. One such model-independent method is the so-called cosmographic approach, which relies only on the homogeneity and isotropy of the Universe on large scales. We show that this method suffers from many shortcomings, providing biased results depending on the auxiliary variable used in the series expansion and is unable to rule out models or adequately reconstruct theories with higher-order derivatives in either the gravitational or matter sector. Consequently, in its present form, this method seems unable to provide reliable or useful results for cosmological applications.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Gravitational, shear and matter waves in Kantowski-Sachs cosmologies

A general treatment of vorticity-free, perfect fluid perturbations of Kantowski-Sachs models with a positive cosmological constant are considered within the framework of the 1+1+2 covariant decomposition of spacetime. The dynamics is encompassed in six evolution equations for six harmonic coefficients, describing gravito-magnetic, kinematic and matter perturbations, while a set of algebraic expressions determine the rest of the variables. The six equations further decouple into a set of four equations sourced by the perfect fluid, representing forced oscillations and two uncoupled damped oscillator equations. The two gravitational degrees of freedom are represented by pairs of gravito-magnetic perturbations. In contrast with the Friedmann case one of them is coupled to the matter density perturbations, becoming decoupled only in the geometrical optics limit. In this approximation, the even and odd tensorial perturbations of the Weyl tensor evolve as gravitational waves on the anisotropic Kantowski-Sachs background, while the modes describing the shear and the matter density gradient are out of phase dephased by $π/2$ and share the same speed of sound.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

On the theory and applications of modern cosmography

Cosmography represents an important branch of cosmology which aims to describe the universe without the need of postulating \emph{a priori} any particular cosmological model. All quantities of interest are expanded as a Taylor series around here and now, providing in principle, a way of directly matching with cosmological data. In this way, cosmography can be regarded a model-independent technique, able to fix cosmic bounds, although several issues limit its use in various model reconstructions. The main purpose of this review is to focus on the key features of cosmography, emphasising both the strategy for obtaining the observable cosmographic series and pointing out any drawbacks which might plague the standard cosmographic treatment. In doing so, we relate cosmography to the most relevant cosmological quantities and to several dark energy models. We also investigate whether cosmography is able to provide information about the form of the cosmological expansion history, discussing how to reproduce the dark fluid from the cosmographic sound speed. Following this, we discuss limits on cosmographic priors and focus on how to experimentally treat cosmographic expansions. Finally, we present some of the latest developments of the cosmographic method, reviewing the use of rational approximations, based on cosmographic Padé polynomials. Future prospects leading to more accurate cosmographic results, able to better reproduce the expansion history of the universe are also discussed in detail.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Cosmological dynamics of viable f(R) theories of gravity

A complete analysis of the dynamics of the Hu-Sawicki modification to General Relativity is presented. In particular, the full phase-space is given for the case in which the model parameters are taken to be n=1, c1=1, and several stable de Sitter equilibrium points together with an unstable "matter-like" point are identified. We find that if the cosmological parameters are chosen to take on their Lambda CDM values today, this results in a universe which, until very low redshifts, is dominated by an equation of state parameter equal t1/3, leading to an expansion history very different from Lambda CDM. We demonstrate that this problem can be resolved by choosing Lambda CDM initial conditions at high redshifts and integrating the equations to the present day.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Theoretical and observational constraints of viable f(R) theories of gravity

Modified gravity has attracted much attention over the last few years and remains a potential candidate for dark energy. In particular, the so-called viable f(R) gravity theories, which are able to both recover General Relativity (GR) and produce late-time cosmic acceleration, have been widely studied in recent literature. Nevertheless, extended theories of gravity suffer from several shortcomings which compromise their ability to provide realistic alternatives to the standard cosmological Lambda CDM Concordance model. We address the existence of cosmological singularities and the conditions that guarantee late-time acceleration,assuming reasonable energy conditions for standard matter in the so-called Hu-Sawicki f(R) model, currently among the most widely studied modifications to General Relativity. Then using the Supernovae Ia Union 2.1 catalogue, we further constrain the free parameters of this model. The combined analysis of both theoretical and observational constraints sheds some light on the viable parameter space of these models and the form of the underlying effective theory of gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

On the Emergence of Accelerating Cosmic Expansion in f(R) Theories of Gravity

We consider cosmological modelling in $f(R)$ theories of gravity, using both top-down and bottom-up constructions. The top-down models are based on Robertson-Walker geometries, and the bottom-up constructions are built by patching together sub-horizon-sized regions of perturbed Minkowski space. Our results suggest that these theories do not provide a theoretically attractive alternative to the standard general relativistic cosmology. We find that the only $f(R)$ theories that can admit an observationally viable weak-field limit have large-scale expansions that are observationally indistinguishable from the Friedmann solutions of General Relativity with $Λ$. Such theories do not alleviate any of the difficulties associated with $Λ$, and cannot produce any new behaviour in the cosmological expansion without simultaneously destroying the Newtonian approximation to gravity on small scales.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

On spherical dust fluctuations: the exact vs. the perturbative approach

We examine the relation between the dynamics of Lema\^ıtre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) dust models (with and without $Λ$) and the dynamics of dust perturbations in two of the more familiar formalisms used in cosmology: the metric based Cosmological Perturbation Theory (CPT) and the Covariant Gauge Invariant (GIC) perturbations. For this purpose we recast the evolution of LTB models in terms of a covariant and gauge invariant formalism of local and non-local "exact fluctuations " on a Friedmann-Lema\^ıtre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) background defined by suitable averages of covariant scalars. We examine the properties of these fluctuations, which can be defined for a confined comoving domain or for an asymptotic domain extending to whole time slices. In particular, the non-local density fluctuation provides a covariant and precise definition for the notion of the "density contrast ". We show that in their linear regime these LTB exact fluctuations (local and non-local) are fully equivalent to the conventional cosmological perturbations in the synchronous-comoving gauge of CPT and to GIC perturbations. As an immediate consequence, we show the time-invariance of the spatial curvature perturbation in a simple form. The present work may provide important theoretical connections between the exact and perturbative (linear or no-linear) approach to the dynamics of dust sources in General Relativity.

gr-qc↗