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S. A. Bonometto

Publications and source records attributed to S. A. Bonometto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Strongly Coupled Dark Energy Cosmologies yielding large mass Primordial Black Holes

Large primordial Black Hole (PBH) formation is enhanced if strongly coupled scalar and spinor fields ($Φ$ and $ψ$) are a stable cosmic component since the primeval radiative expansion (SCDEW models). In particular, we show that PBH formation is easier at a specific time, i.e., when the asymptotic mass $m_H$, acquired by the $ψ$ field at the higgs scale, becomes dominant, so that the typical BH mass $M_{BH}$ depends on $m_H$ value. For instance, if $m_H \sim 100\,$ eV $(1$ keV$)$ and the coupling $β\sim 8.35 (37)$, PBH with $M_{BH} \simeq 10^7-10^8 $ $(10^3-10^4)\, M_\odot$ could form. The very mechanism enhancing PBH formation also causes technical difficulties to evaluate the transfer function of SCDEW models at high $k$. A tentative solution of this problem leaves only minor discrepancies from $Λ$CDM, also at these scales, gradually vanishing for greater $m_H$ values. We conclude that, for suitable parameter choices, SCDEW models could be the real physics underlying $Λ$ CDM, so overcoming its fine tuning and coincidence problems, with the extra bonus of yielding large BH seeds.

astro-ph.CO

Extending the Coyote emulator to dark energy models with standard $w_0$-$w_a$ parametrization of the equation of state

We discuss an extension of the Coyote emulator to predict non-linear matter power spectra of dark energy (DE) models with a scale factor dependent equation of state of the form w = w_0 + ( 1 - a )w_a . The extension is based on the mapping rule between non-linear spectra of DE models with constant equation of state and those with time varying one originally introduced in ref. [40]. Using a series of N-body simulations we show that the spectral equivalence is accurate to sub-percent level across the same range of modes and redshift covered by the Coyote suite. Thus, the extended emulator provides a very efficient and accurate tool to predict non-linear power spectra for DE models with w_0 - w_a parametrization. According to the same criteria we have developed a numerical code, and we have implemented in a dedicated module for the CAMB code, that can be used in combination with the Coyote Emulator in likelihood analyses of non-linear matter power spectrum measurements. All codes can be found at https://github.com/luciano-casarini/PKequal

astro-ph.CO

Strongly Coupled Cosmologies

Models including an energy transfer from CDM to DE are widely considered in the literature, namely to allow DE a significant high-z density. Strongly Coupled cosmologies assume a much larger coupling between DE and CDM, together with the presence of an uncoupled warm DM component, as the role of CDM is mostly restricted to radiative eras. This allows us to preserve small scale fluctuations even if the warm particle, possibly a sterile neutrino, is quite light, O(100 eV). Linear theory and numerical simulations show that these cosmologies agree with LCDM on supergalactic scales; e.g., CMB spectra are substantially identical. Simultaneously, simulations show that they significantly ease problems related to the properties of MW satellites and cores in dwarfs. SC cosmologies also open new perspectives on early black hole formation, and possibly lead towards unificating DE and inflationary scalar fields.

astro-ph.CO

Precision cosmology and 7Li data

At variance from 2H, 3He and 4He abundances, 7Li abundance data yield an extra constraint to cosmological parameters, in top of those deriving from CMB, BAO, SNIa or H0 data. This constraint, often disregarded, would favor smaller $Ω_b h^2$ values, also indicating a preference for Dark Energy state equations well in the phantom regime, simultaneously softening the upper limit on the sum of neutrino masses, up to ~1.6eV.

astro-ph.CO

High precision spectra at large redshift for dynamical DE cosmologies

The next generation mass probes will investigate DE nature by measuring non-linear power spectra at various z, and comparing them with high precision simulations. Producing a complete set of them, taking into account baryon physics and for any DE state equation w(z), would really be numerically expensive. Regularities reducing such duty are essential. This paper presents further n-body tests of a relation we found, linking models with DE state parameter w(z) to const.-w models, and also tests the relation in hydro simulations.

astro-ph.CO

Coupling between cold dark matter and dark energy from neutrino mass experiments

We consider cosmological models with dynamical dark energy (dDE) coupled to cold dark matter (CDM), while simultaneously allowing neutrinos to be massive. Using a MCMC approach, we compare these models with a wide range of cosmological data sets. We find a strong correlation between this coupling strength and the neutrino mass. This correlation persists when BAO data are included in the analysis. We add then priors on $ν$ mass from particle experiments. The claimed detection of $ν$ mass from the Heidelberg-Moscow neutrinoless double--$β$ decay experiment would imply a 7--$8 σ$ detection of CDM-DE coupling. Similarly, the detection of $ν$ mass from coming KATRIN tritium $β$ decay experiment will imply a safe detection of a coupling in the dark sector. Previous attempts to accommodate cosmic phenomenology with such possible $ν$ mass data made recourse to a $w < -1$ eoS. We compare such an option with the coupling option and find that the latter allows a drastic improvement.

astro-ph.CO

Do WMAP5 data favor neutrino mass and a coupling between Cold Dark Matter and Dark Energy?

We fit WMAP5 and related data by allowing for a CDM--DE coupling and non--zero neutrino masses, simultaneously. We find a significant correlation between these parameters, so that simultaneous higher coupling and ν--masses are allowed. Furthermore, models with a significant coupling and ν--mass are statistically favoured in respect to a cosmology with no coupling and negligible neutrino mass (our best fits are: C ~ 1/2m_p, m_ν~ 0.12eV per flavor). We use a standard Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach, by assuming DE to be a scalar field self--interacting through Ratra--Peebles or SUGRA potentials.

astro-ph.CO

Do data favor neutrino mass and a coupling between Cold Dark Matter and Dark Energy?

We allow simultaneously for a CDM--DE coupling and non--zero neutrino masses and find that significant coupling and neutrino mass are (slightly) statistically favoured in respect to a cosmology with no coupling and negligible neutrino mass (our best fits are: C~1/2m_p, m_ν~0.12eV each flavor). We assume DE to be a self--interacting scalar field and use a standard Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach.

astro-ph.CO

Do WMAP data favor neutrino mass and a coupling between Cold Dark Matter and Dark Energy?

Within the frame of cosmologies where Dark Energy (DE) is a self--interacting scalar field, we allow for a CDM--DE coupling and non--zero neutrino masses, simultaneously. In their 0--0 version, i.e. in the absence of coupling and neutrino mass, these cosmologies provide an excellent fit to WMAP, SNIa and deep galaxy sample spectra, at least as good as \LambdaCDM. When the new degrees of freedom are open, we find that CDM--DE coupling and significant neutrino masses (~0.1eV per νspecies) are at least as likely as the 0--0 option and, in some cases, even statistically favoured. Results are obtained by using a Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach.

astro-ph.CO

Higher neutrino mass allowed if Cold Dark Matter and Dark Energy are coupled

Cosmological limits on neutrino masses are softened, by more than a factor 2, if Cold Dark Matter (CDM) and Dark Energy (DE) are coupled. In turn, a neutrino mass yielding $Ω_ν$ up to $\sim0.20$ allows coupling levels $β\simeq 0.15, $ or more, already easing the coincidence problem. The coupling, in fact, displaces both $P(k)$ and $C_l$ spectra in a fashion opposite to neutrino mass. Estimates are obtained through a Fisher--matrix technique.

astro-ph

The Dark Side and its Nature

Although the cosmic concordance cosmology is quite successful in fitting data, fine tuning and coincidence problems apparently weaken it. We review several possibilities to ease its problems, by considering various kinds of dynamical Dark Energy and possibly its coupling to Dark Matter, trying to set observational limits on Dark Energy state equation and coupling.

astro-ph

Tracing the Nature of Dark Energy with Galaxy Distribution

Dynamical Dark Energy (DE) is a viable alternative to the cosmological constant. Yet, constructing tests to discriminate between Lambda and dynamical DE models is difficult because the differences are not large. In this paper we explore tests based on the galaxy mass function, the void probability function (VPF), and the number of galaxy clusters. At high z the number density of clusters shows large differences between DE models, but geometrical factors reduce the differences substantially. We find that detecting a model dependence in the cluster redshift distribution is a hard challenge. We show that the galaxy redshift distribution is potentially a more sensitive characteristics. We do so by populating dark matter halos in Nbody simulations with galaxies using well-tested Halo Occupation Distribution (HOD). We also estimate the Void Probability Function and find that, in samples with the same angular surface density of galaxies in different models, the VPF is almost model independent and cannot be used as a test for DE. Once again, geometry and cosmic evolution compensate each other. By comparing VPF's for samples with fixed galaxy mass limits, we find measurable differences.

astro-ph

Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization and reionization: constraining models with a double reionization

Neutral hydrogen around high-z QSO and an optical depth tau ~ 0.17 can be reconciled if reionization is more complex than a single transition at z ~ 6-8. Tracing its details could shed a new light on the first sources of radiation. Here we discuss how far such details can be inspected through planned experiments on CMB large-scale anisotropy and polarization, by simulating an actual data analysis. By considering a set of double reionization histories of Cen (2003) type, a relevant class of models not yet considered by previous works, we confirm that large angle experiments rival high resolution ones in reconstructing the reionization history. We also confirm that reionization histories, studied with the prior of a single and sharp reionization, yield a biased tau, showing that this bias is generic. We further find a monotonic trend in the bias for the models that we consider, and propose an explanation of the trend, as well as the overall bias. We also show that in long-lived experiments such a trend can be used to discriminate between single and double reionization patterns.

astro-ph

The Nature of Dark Energy from deep Cluster Abundance

We show that using the redshift dependence of the deep cluster abundance to detect the nature of Dark Energy is a serious challenge. We compare the expected differences between flat LCDM models, with different Omega_mo, with the difference between LCDM and dynamical DE models. In the former case, cluster abundances in comoving volume and geometrical factors act in the same direction, yielding a significant difference between the expected angular densities. On the contrary, when we keep a constant Omega_mo and change the DE nature,abundances in comoving volume and geometrical factors act in the opposite direction, so that the expected differences in angular densities reduce to small factors.

astro-ph

Polarization Measures And Nature Of Dark Energy

Polarization measures, on wide angular scales, together with anisotropy data, can fix DE parameters. Here we discuss the sensitivity needed to provide significant limits. Our analysis puts in evidence that a class of models predicts low correlation or anticorrelation between polarization and anisotropy at low l. This class includes open models and models with DE due to a Ratra--Peebles (RP) potential. Results on this point, given in a previous paper of ours, are updated and partially corrected. We outline that, with the sensitivity of experiments like SPOrt or WMAP, high values of Lambda (energy scale in the RP potential) can be excluded. With the sensitivity expected for PLANCK, the selection will extend to much lower Lambda's.

astro-ph

Structure Formation in Dynamical Dark Energy Models

We perform N-body simulations for models with a DE component. Besides of DE with constant negative state parameter w, we consider DE due to scalar fields, self-interacting through RP or SUGRA potentials. According to our post-linear analysis, at z=0, DM power spectra and halo mass functions do not depend on DE nature. This is welcome, as LCDM fits observations. Halo profiles, instead, are denser than LCDM. For example, the density at 15 kpc of a DE halo with M=10^13 exceeds LCDM by ~45%. Differences, therefore, are small but, however, DE does not ease the problem with cuspy DM profiles. We study also subhalos and find that, at $z=0$, the number of satellites coincides in all DE models. At higher z, DE models show increasing differences from LCDM and among themselves (i.e. in the mass function evolution); this is the obvious pattern to distinguish between different DE state equations.

astro-ph

Nature of Dark Energy and Polarization Measurements

High sensitivity polarization measures, on wide angular scales, together with data on anisotropy, can be used to fix DE parameters. In this paper, first of all, we aim to determine the sensitivity needed to provide significant limits. Our analysis puts in evidence that there is a class of DE models that polarization measures can possibly exclude soon. This class includes models with DE due to a Ratra-Peebles (RP) potential. Using a likelihood analysis, we show that it is possible to distinguish RP models from LCDM and other dynamical DE models, already with the sensitivity of experiments like SPOrt or WMAP, thanks to their negative TE correlation at low-l, when the optical depth tau is sufficiently large. On the contrary, fixing the energy scale Lambda for RP potentials or distinguishing between LCDM and other DE potentials requires a much lower pixel noise, that no planned polarization experiment will achieve. While reviewing this paper after the referee report, the first-year WMAP data were released. WMAP finds large positive anisotropy-polarization correlations at low l; this apparently excludes DE models with RP potentials.

astro-ph

Modeling Dynamical Dark Energy

Cosmological models with different types of Dark Energy are becoming viable alternatives for standard models with the cosmological constant. Yet, such models are more difficult to analyze and to simulate. We present analytical approximations and discuss ways of making simulations for two families of models, which cover a wide range of possibilities and include models with both slow and fast changing ratio w=pρ. More specifically, we give analytical expressions for the evolution of the matter density parameter Omega_m(z) and the virial density contrast Delta_c at any redshift z. The latter is used to identify halos and to find their virial masses. We also provide an approximation for the linear growth factor of linear fluctuations between redshift z=40 and z=0. This is needed to set the normalization of the spectrum of fluctuations. Finally, we discuss the expected behavior of the halo mass function and its time evolution.

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