arXiv subjects

Peter K. S. Dunsby

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

80 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Cosmic magnetic fields from velocity perturbations in the early Universe

We show, using a covariant and gauge-invariant charged multifluid perturbation scheme, that velocity perturbations of the matter-dominated dust Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) model can lead to the generation of cosmic magnetic fields. Moreover, using cosmic microwave background (CMB) constraints, it is argued that these fields can reach strengths of between 10^{-28} and 10^{-29} G at the time the dynamo mechanism sets in, making them plausible seed field candidates.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2003

Charged multifluids in general relativity

The exact 1+3 covariant dynamical fluid equations for a multi-component plasma, together with Maxwell's equations are presented in such a way as to make them suitable for a gauge-invariant analysis of linear density and velocity perturbations of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model. In the case where the matter is described by a two component plasma where thermal effects are neglected, a mode representing high-frequency plasma oscillations is found in addition to the standard growing and decaying gravitational instability picture. Further applications of these equations are also discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Exponential Potentials on the Brane

In this paper we study the cosmological dynamics of Randall-Sundrum braneworld type scenarios in which the five-dimensional Weyl tensor has a non-vanishing projection onto the three-brane where matter fields are confined. Using dynamical systems techniques, we study how the state space of Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) and Bianchi type I scalar field models with an exponential potential is affected by the bulk Weyl tensor, focusing on the differences that appear with respect to standard general relativity and also Randall-Sundrum cosmological scenarios without the Weyl tensor contribution.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Singularities on the brane aren't isotropic

Recent studies of homogeneous anisotropic universe models in the brane world scenario show that the cosmological singularity in this context is isotropic. It has therefore been suggested that this may be a generic feature of singularities on the brane, even in the inhomogeneous case. Using a perturbative approach, we show that this is not the case. As in the GR case, the presence of decaying modes in the perturbations signal the instability (in the past) of the isotropic singularity. The brane universe is therefore not born with isotropy built in: as in standard cosmology, the observed large-scale isotropy and homogeneity remains to be explained.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Dynamical Systems Approach to Magnetised Cosmological Perturbations

Assuming a large-scale homogeneous magnetic field, we follow the covariant and gauge-invariant approach used by Tsagas and Barrow to describe the evolution of density and magnetic field inhomogeneities and curvature perturbations in a matter-radiation universe. We use a two parameter approximation scheme to linearize their exact non-linear general-relativistic equations for magneto-hydrodynamic evolution. Using a two-fluid approach we set up the governing equations as a fourth order autonomous dynamical system. Analysis of the equilibrium points for the radiation dominated era lead to solutions similar to the super-horizon modes found analytically by Tsagas and Maartens. We find that a study of the dynamical system in the dust-dominated era leads naturally to a magnetic critical length scale closely related to the Jeans Length. Depending on the size of wavelengths relative to this scale, these solutions show three distinct behaviours: large-scale stable growing modes, intermediate decaying modes, and small-scale damped oscillatory solutions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Cosmological Electromagnetic Fields due to Gravitational Wave Perturbations

We consider the dynamics of electromagnetic fields in an almost-Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe using the covariant and gauge-invariant approach of Ellis and Bruni. Focusing on the situation where deviations from the background model are generated by tensor perturbations only, we demonstrate that the coupling between gravitational waves and a weak magnetic test field can generate electromagnetic waves. We show that this coupling leads to an initial pulse of electromagnetic waves whose width and amplitude is determined by the wavelengths of the magnetic field and gravitational waves. A number of implications for cosmology are discussed, in particular we calculate an upper bound of the magnitude of this effect using limits on the quadrapole anisotropy of the Cosmic Microwave Background.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Non-linear gravitational wave interactions with plasmas

We consider the interactions of a strong gravitational wave with electromagnetic fields using the 1+3 orthonormal tetrad formalism. A general system of equations are derived, describing the influence of a plane fronted parallel (pp) gravitational wave on a cold relativistic multi-component plasma. We focus our attention on phenomena that are induced by terms that are higher order in the gravitational wave amplitude. In particular, it is shown that parametric excitations of plasma oscillations takes place, due to higher order gravitational non-linearities. The implications of the results are discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1997

A fully covariant description of CMB anisotropies

Starting from the exact non-linear description of matter and radiation, a fully covariant and gauge-invariant formula for the observed temperature anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CBR) radiation, expressed in terms of the electric ($E_{ab}$) and magnetic ($H_{ab}$) parts of the Weyl tensor, is obtained by integrating photon geodesics from last scattering to the point of observation today. This improves and extends earlier work by Russ et al where a similar formula was obtained by taking first order variations of the redshift. In the case of scalar (density) perturbations, $E_{ab}$ is related to the harmonic components of the gravitational potential $Φ_k$ and the usual dominant Sachs-Wolfe contribution $δT_R/\bar{T}_R\simΦ_k$ to the temperature anisotropy is recovered, together with contributions due to the time variation of the potential (Rees-Sciama effect), entropy and velocity perturbations at last scattering and a pressure suppression term important in low density universes. We also explicitly demonstrate the validity of assuming that the perturbations are adiabatic at decoupling and show that if the surface of last scattering is correctly placed and the background universe model is taken to be a flat dust dominated Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model (FRW), then the large scale temperature anisotropy can be interpreted as being due to the motion of the matter relative to the surface of constant temperature which defines the surface of last scattering on those scales.

gr-qc↗