arXiv subjects

Rebecca Briffa

Publications and source records attributed to Rebecca Briffa.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Cosmology of Cubic Poincaré Gauge gravity

In this paper, we study flat FLRW cosmology for a Poincaré gauge theory containing cubic invariants that is free from ghosts in arbitrary backgrounds in the axial and vector sectors of the torsion tensor. The new degrees of freedom can be related to hypermomentum but continue to be dynamical even in vacuum. These extra degrees of freedom open a more natural way in which to construct potential gravitational models that provide possible ways to modify astrophysical and cosmological physics. In this framework, we study two particular branches of the theory where preliminary routes of exploring these new variables are exposed. The first is the branch where the hypermomentum vanishes, while the second branch involves the setting where the perfect fluid and hypermomentum parts of the sources are independently conserved. In both settings, we find generically faster expanding cosmologies with similar estimates of the cosmic matter content as in the standard model of cosmology. Cubic Poincaré Gauge gravity offers an interesting theoretical basis on which to study cosmology, and indicates some preliminary positive constraints when compared with observational constraints.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Testing $f(T)$ cosmologies with HII Hubble diagram and CMB distance priors

In this work, we present independent determinations of cosmological parameters and new constraints on $f(T)$ cosmologies, employing two new catalogs related to HII galaxy Hubble and CMB distance priors, along with the local standard measurements, SNIa, $H(z)$ measurements, growth rate data (RSD), and BAO baselines. We found that the marginalised best-fit C.L. $H_0$ and $σ_8$ parameters within these cosmologies can relax the current cosmological tensions using HIIG data. This produces a larger range of admissible values for the current Hubble constant, and when all baselines are considered, the uncertainty bands for $H_0$ and the matter density parameter reduce significantly.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Growth of structures using redshift space distortion in $f(T)$ Cosmology

Cosmology faces a pressing challenge with the Hubble constant ($H_0$) tension, where the locally measured rate of the Universe's expansion does not align with predictions from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) calibrated with $Λ$CDM model. Simultaneously, there is a growing tension involving the weighted amplitude of matter fluctuations, known as $S_{8,0}$ tension. Resolving both tensions within one framework would boost confidence in any one particular model. In this work, we analyse constraints in $f(T)$ gravity, a framework that shows promise in shedding light on cosmic evolution. We thoroughly examine prominent $f(T)$ gravity models using a combination of data sources, including Pantheon+ (SN), cosmic chronometers (CC), baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO) and redshift space distortion (RSD) data. We use these models to derive a spectrum of $H_0$ and $S_{8,0}$ values, aiming to gauge their ability to provide insights into, and potentially address, the challenges posed by the $H_0$ and $S_{8,0}$ tensions.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

$f(T)$ cosmology in the regime of quasar observations

The open problems related to cosmological tensions in current times have opened new paths to study new probes to constrain cosmological parameters in standard and extended cosmologies, in particular, to determine at a local level the value of the Hubble constant $H_0$, through independent techniques. However, while standard Cosmological Constant Cold Dark Matter ($Λ$CDM) model has been well constrained and parts of extended cosmology have been intensively studied, the physics behind them aspects restrains our possibilities of selecting the best cosmological model that can show a significant difference from the first model. Therefore, to explore a possible deviation from a such model that can explain the current discrepancy on the $H_0$ value, in this work we consider adding the current local observables, e.g. Supernovae Type Ia (SNIa), $H(z)$ measurements, and Baryon Acoustic Observations (BAO) combined with two new calibrated Quasars (QSO) datasets using ultraviolet, x-ray and optical plane techniques. While these can be identified as part of the high-redshift standard candle objects, the main characteristics of these are based on fluxes distributions calibrated up to $z \sim 7 $. We consider five $H_0$ prior scenarios to develop these calibrations. Furthermore, we found that our estimations provide the possibility to relax the $H_0$ tension at 2$σ$ using a QSO ultraviolet sample in combination with late measurements showing higher values of $H_0$. Our results can be an initial start for more serious treatments in the quasars physics from ultraviolet, x-ray, and optical plane techniques behind the local observations as cosmological probes to relax the cosmological tensions problems.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2023

Cosmological constraints of Palatini $f(\mathcal{R})$ gravity

In this study, we investigate a Palatini $f(R)$ gravity model featuring a quadratic term correction, aligning it with the most recent expansion rate data, with a particular focus on the latest SNIa and BAO data. Our analysis employs CC data as the fundamental dataset, complemented by contributions from the SN sample and a combination of non-overlapping transversal BAO datasets. We conduct a comprehensive MCMC analysis for each data set combination, yielding constraints on all cosmological parameters within the model. Additionally, we incorporate the latest Hubble constant value from the SH0ES Team. Finally, we present a statistical comparison between the Palatini quadratic model and $Λ$CDM using the AIC and BIC metrics, ultimately obtaining the constraint $|α| \leq 10^{49}\,\text{m}^2$. We also stress the significance of studying stellar and substellar objects for obtaining more precise constraints on modified gravity compared to those derived from cosmological observations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Constraints on $f(T)$ Cosmology with Pantheon+

$f(T)$ cosmology has shown promise in explaining aspects of cosmic evolution. In this work, we analyze constraints on leading models of $f(T)$ gravity in the context of the recently released Pantheon+ data set, together with comparisons with previous releases. We also consider other late-time data sets including cosmic chronometers and baryonic acoustic oscillation data. Our main result is that we find that the different $f(T)$ models under investigation connect to a variety of Hubble constant, which may help alleviate the cosmic tension on this parameter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

$f(T,B)$ Gravity in the late Universe in the context of local measurements

We explore the viability of three models in $f(T,B)$ gravity using data from recent surveys based on cosmic chronometers, the Pantheon data set, and baryonic acoustic oscillation data. We also assess the consistency of these models and data set combinations with two important priors on the Hubble constant coming from the SH0ES Team and measurements using the tip of the red giant branch respectively. These give the highest and lowest values of the Hubble constant coming from cosmology independent studies. In general, our analysis does provide a more consistent fit for the late time data being analyzed. However, each model does include an additional model parameter in comparison with the concordance model. We close the analysis with a comparative analysis in which each model, data set and Hubble constant prior combination are cross-analyzed against each other.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Impact of $H_0$ priors on $f(T)$ late time cosmology

We present a detailed analysis of the impact of $H_0$ priors from recent surveys in the literature on the late time cosmology of five $f(T)$ cosmological models using cosmic chronometers, the Pantheon data set, and baryonic acoustic oscillation data. In this work, we use three recently reported values of $H_0$ that have contributed to the recent $H_0$ tension problem. We find that these priors have a strong response in these analyses in terms of all the cosmological parameters. In general, our analyses gives much higher values of $H_0$ when considered against equivalent analyses without priors while, by and large, giving lower values of the matter density parameter. We close with a cross-analysis of each of our model, data set and prior combination choices.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2020

Constraining Teleparallel Gravity through Gaussian Processes

We apply Gaussian processes (GP) in order to impose constraints on teleparallel gravity and its $f(T)$ extensions. We use available $H(z)$ observations from (i) cosmic chronometers data (CC); (ii) Supernova Type Ia (SN) data from the compressed Pantheon release together with the CANDELS and CLASH Multi-Cycle Treasury programs; and (iii) baryonic acoustic oscillation (BAO) datasets from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For the involved covariance functions, we consider four widely used choices, namely the square exponential, Cauchy, Matérn and rational quadratic kernels, which are consistent with one another within 1$σ$ confidence levels. Specifically, we use the GP approach to reconstruct a model-independent determination of the Hubble constant $H_0$, for each of these kernels and dataset combinations. These analyses are complemented with three recently announced literature values of $H_0$, namely (i) Riess $H_0^{\rm R} = 74.22 \pm 1.82 \,{\rm km\, s}^{-1} {\rm Mpc}^{-1}$; (ii) H0LiCOW Collaboration $H_0^{\rm HW} = 73.3^{+1.7}_{-1.8} \,{\rm km\, s}^{-1} {\rm Mpc}^{-1}$; and (iii) Carnegie-Chicago Hubble Program $H_0^{\rm TRGB} = 69.8 \pm 1.9 \,{\rm km\, s}^{-1} {\rm Mpc}^{-1}$. Additionally, we investigate the transition redshift between the decelerating and accelerating cosmological phases through the GP reconstructed deceleration parameter. Furthermore, we reconstruct the model-independent evolution of the dark energy equation of state, and finally reconstruct the allowed $f(T)$ functions. As a result, the $Λ$CDM model lies inside the allowed region at 1$σ$ in all the examined kernels and datasets, however a negative slope for $f(T)$ versus $T$ is slightly favored.

gr-qc↗