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Spyros Basilakos

Publications and source records attributed to Spyros Basilakos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Reconstructing the generalized Barrow holographic dark energy with physics-informed neural networks

Barrow holographic dark energy connects cosmic acceleration with possible quantum-gravitational deformations of horizon entropy, encoded in the Barrow exponent $Δ$. If such effects are scale dependent, however, there is no fundamental reason for $Δ$ to remain constant throughout cosmic history. In this work we reconstruct $Δ(z)$ directly from observations, without assuming any particular functional form, using the Cosmo-PINN physics-informed neural-network framework. The generalized Barrow holographic evolution equation is incorporated into the training, while PantheonPlus supernovae, DESI DR2 baryon acoustic oscillations and cosmic chronometers constrain the reconstruction. We find a mild and smooth redshift evolution, with the posterior mean favoring negative $Δ$ and this tendency becoming stronger when the Cepheid calibration is included. Nevertheless, $Δ=0$ and constant negative values remain compatible with current uncertainties. The reconstructed cosmology yields a viable late-time evolution, with $w_{\rm DE}$ close to $-1$ and the expected transition to accelerated expansion. Our results demonstrate that cosmological observations can directly probe the functional behavior of a quantity entering the underlying entropy law itself.

physics.gen-ph

Early- and late-time constraints on Wald-Gauss-Bonnet topological dark energy and implications for the $H_0$ and $S_8$ tensions

The persistent $H_0$ and $S_8$ tensions motivate the search for new dark-energy mechanisms capable of modifying the late-time expansion history while preserving the successful early-Universe predictions of $Λ$CDM scenario. Wald-Gauss-Bonnet (WGB) topological dark energy provides a physically motivated realization of this possibility, where the effective dark-energy sector emerges from cosmic horizon thermodynamics and the black-hole formation and merger history. We present the first early- and late-Universe analysis of WGB cosmology, implementing the model as an effective fluid in a modified \texttt{CLASS} solver and constraining it against CMB data from \textit{Planck}, ACT~DR6 and SPT-3G, DESI~DR2 BAO, and Pantheon+ supernovae. While late-time data alone are consistent with $Λ$CDM, the full dataset prefers a non-zero WGB contribution, $\Cn=0.435^{+0.150}_{-0.132}$, corresponding to a $\sim3σ$ phantom-like deviation and an improved fit. The preferred solution raises $H_0$ from $68.5$ to $69.8~\kmsmpc$, reducing the Hubble tension by $\sim0.9σ$, at the cost of a mild increase in $S_8$. The reconstructed cosmological observables show that WGB leaves the primary CMB almost unchanged while enhancing lensing and small-scale clustering, revealing a characteristic $H_0$-$S_8$ trade-off. WGB dark energy therefore emerges as a physically motivated and observationally viable late-time mechanism for partially alleviating the Hubble tension without introducing new early-Universe physics.

gr-qc

Observational implications of Wald-Gauss-Bonnet topological dark energy

We investigate the observational implications of Wald--Gauss--Bonnet (WGB) topological dark energy, a modified cosmological framework derived from the gravity-thermodynamics conjecture applied to the Universe's apparent horizon, with the Wald--Gauss--Bonnet entropy replacing the standard Bekenstein--Hawking one. Assuming a topological connection between the apparent horizon and interior black hole (BH) horizons, we derive modified Friedmann equations where the evolution of dark energy depends on BH formation and merger rates, which are approximated by the cosmic star formation rate. These equations introduce an additional, astrophysics--dependent contribution to the cosmological constant. We test two scenarios, one with a vanishing cosmological constant ($Λ= 0$) and another with a modified $Λ$ against late--Universe data (SNIa, BAO, Cosmic Chronometers) via a Bayesian analysis. Although the WGB framework is consistent with observations, information criteria statistically favor the standard $Λ$CDM model. An analysis of linear perturbations shows that the growth of cosmic structures is nearly indistinguishable from that of $Λ$CDM, with negligible dark energy clustering and minimal deviation in the effective Newton's constant. The standard thermal history is also preserved. In conclusion, WGB cosmology presents a phenomenologically rich alternative that connects dark energy to black hole astrophysics while remaining compatible with current cosmological data.

gr-qc

Primordial black hole formation from transient $f(T)$ cosmology

We study primordial black hole (PBH) formation in a minimally coupled $f(T)$ teleparallel cosmology that generates a transient departure from standard radiation domination. The model is constructed so that modified-gravity effects are negligible at early and late times, but become dynamically relevant over a finite epoch, during which an effective torsion component reduces the total equation-of-state parameter below 1/3.We show that this transient softening lowers the collapse threshold for overdensities at horizon re-entry, leading to an exponential enhancement of PBH formation. In addition, the modified background alters the relation between temperature and horizon mass, producing a localized feature in the PBH mass function. For representative parameters, PBHs with asteroid-scale masses can account for a significant fraction, or even the entirety, of dark matter for perturbation amplitudes $σ^2 \sim \mathcal{O}(10^{-3})$, while remaining consistent with current constraints. Our results demonstrate that modified gravity alone can efficiently generate PBHs, without requiring ad hoc modifications of the radiation sector.

gr-qc

Bohmian Quantum Cosmology from the Wheeler-DeWitt Equation

We construct a Bohmian quantum cosmological model for a spatially flat Friedmann Robertson Walker universe filled with a single scalar field whose potential provides a unified description of cold dark matter and dark energy at the background level. Starting from the Einstein-Hilbert action supplemented by a scalar field, we derive the minisuperspace Lagrangian and the associated canonical Hamiltonian formulation. By means of a nontrivial canonical transformation, the minisuperspace dynamics is mapped into that of a two dimensional hyperbolic oscillator with a fixed frequency ratio, rendering the Wheeler DeWitt equation exactly solvable by separation of variables. The resulting Wheeler-DeWitt solutions are expressed in terms of parabolic cylinder functions and are parametrised by a continuous separation constant, reflecting the constrained nature of the theory and the absence of a standard Schrodinger time parameter. Adopting the de Broglie-Bohm formulation, we derive deterministic guidance equations in minisuperspace and construct a well defined Bohmian Hubble parameter directly in terms of the pilot-wave phase. Finally, we present a Wheeler-DeWitt-derived toy wave function for which the Bohmian trajectories and the associated cosmological expansion history can be obtained analytically, reproducing the late time $Λ$CDM behaviour while exhibiting quantum modifications at earlier epochs.

gr-qc

Highly suppressed tensor-to-scalar ratio from a modified Lennard-Jones inflationary potential

The increasingly stringent observational bounds on primordial gravitational waves strongly constrain inflationary model building, favoring scenarios that predict highly suppressed tensor perturbations. While many viable constructions rely on non-canonical kinetic terms, non-minimal couplings, or modifications of gravity, it remains an open question whether comparably small tensor amplitudes can emerge within a minimal, single-field framework driven solely by potential dynamics. In this work we propose a novel inflationary scenario based on a modified Lennard-Jones potential. Inspired by a well-known interaction potential in molecular physics, the proposed form naturally combines a smooth minimum with an extended flat plateau at large field values. This intrinsic structure supports slow-roll inflation and ensures a graceful exit without introducing additional degrees of freedom. We perform a detailed analysis of the inflationary dynamics and confront the model with current observational constraints. We find that the scalar spectral index is fully consistent with CMB data, while the tensor-to-scalar ratio is predicted to be extremely small, reaching values as low as $r\sim10^{-7}$. Finally, the running of the scalar spectral index is also found to be small, well withing the 1$σ$ recent observational bounds from Atacama Cosmology Telescope.

astro-ph.CO

Topological and optical signatures of modified black-hole entropies

We investigate how deviations from the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy modify black-hole spacetimes through the recently proposed entropy-geometry correspondence. For four representative modified entropies, namely Barrow, Rényi, Kaniadakis, and logarithmic, we derive the corresponding effective metrics and analyze their thermodynamic and topological classification using the off-shell free energy and winding numbers. We show that Barrow and Rényi entropies yield a single unstable sector with global charge $W=-1$, while logarithmic and Kaniadakis corrections produce canceling defects with $W=0$, revealing topological structures absent in the Schwarzschild case. Using the modified metrics, we further calculate the photon-sphere radius and shadow size, showing that each modified entropy relation induces characteristic optical shifts. Thus, by comparing with Event Horizon Telescope observations of Sgr A$^\ast$, we extract new bounds on all entropy-deformation parameters. Our results demonstrate that thermodynamic topology, together with photon-sphere phenomenology, offers a viable way to test generalized entropy frameworks and probe departures from the Bekenstein-Hawking area law.

gr-qc

Equivalence of $f(Q)$ cosmology with quintom-like scenario: the phantom field as effective realization of the non-trivial connection

We show that $f(Q)$ cosmology with a non-trivial connection, namely the Connection II of the literature, is dynamically equivalent with a quintom-like model. In particular, we show that the scalar field arising from the non-linear $f(Q)$ form, and the scalar field associated to the non-trivial connection, are combined to provide one canonical and one phantom field in the minisuperspace Lagrangian. Hence, the combination of two well-behaved fields appears effectively as a phantom field. This is fundamentally different from the usual approach in phantom and quintom cosmology, in which the phantom field is introduced ad hoc, and thus it may open a new way to handle the phantom fields, namely as effective realizations of the connection-related canonical fields.

gr-qc

Barrow holographic dark energy with varying exponent

We construct Barrow holographic dark energy with varying exponent. Such an energy-scale-dependent behavior is typical in quantum field theory and quantum gravity under renormalization group considerations, however in the present scenario it has an additional justification, since in realistic cases one expects that Barrow entropy quantum-gravitational effects to be stronger at early times and to smooth out and disappear at late times. We impose specific, redshift-dependent ansätze for the Barrow running exponent, such as the linear, CPL-like, exponential, and trigonometric ones, and we investigate their cosmological behavior. We show that we can recover the standard thermal history of the universe, with the sequence of matter and dark energy epochs, in which the transition from deceleration to acceleration happens at $z\approx 0.65$, in agreement with observations. In the most realistic case of hyperbolic tangent ansatz, in which we can easily bound Barrow exponent inside its theoretically determined bounds 0 and 1 for all redshifts, we see that the dark-energy equation-of-state parameter can be quintessence like, or experience the phantom-divide crossing, while in the future it can either tend to the cosmological constant value or start increasing again. All these features reveal that Barrow holographic dark energy with varying exponent is not only theoretically more justified than the standard, constant-exponent case, but it leads to richer cosmological behavior too.

gr-qc

Modified cosmology though spacetime thermodynamics and generalized mass-to-horizon entropy

In this work we apply the gravity-thermodynamics approach for the case of generalized mass-to-horizon entropy, which is a two-parameter extension of Bekenstein-Hawking entropy that arises from the extended mass-to-horizon relation, that is in turn required in order to have consistency with the Clausius relation. We extract the modified Friedmann equations and we obtain an effective dark energy sector arising from the novel terms. We derive analytical solutions for the dark energy density parameter, the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, and the deceleration parameter, and we show that the Universe exhibits the usual thermal history with the succession of matter and dark energy epochs. Additionally, depending on the value of the entropy parameters, the dark energy equation-of-state parameter can either lie in the phantom regime at high redshifts entering into the quintessence regime at small redshifts, or it can lie in the quintessence regime at high redshifts and experience the phantom-divide crossing at small redshifts, while in the far future in all cases it asymptotically obtains the cosmological constant value $-1$. Finally, we perform observational confrontation with Supernova Type Ia (SNIa), Cosmic Chronometers (CC) and Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) datasets, showing that the scenario is in agreement with observations.

gr-qc

Mapping the Hubble Flow from z$ \sim $0 to z$ \sim$7.5 with HII Galaxies

Over twenty years ago, Type Ia Supernovae (SNIa) observations revealed an accelerating Universe expansion, suggesting a significant dark energy presence, often modelled as a cosmological constant, \( Λ\). Despite its pivotal role in cosmology, the standard $Λ$CDM model remains largely underexplored in the redshift range between distant SNIa and the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). This study harnesses the James Webb Space Telescope's advanced capabilities to extend the Hubble flow mapping across an unprecedented redshift range, from \( z \approx 0 \) to \( z \approx 7.5 \). Using a dataset of 231 HII galaxies and extragalactic HII regions, we employ the \(\text{L}-σ\) relation that correlates the luminosity of Balmer lines with their velocity dispersion, to define a competitive technique for measuring cosmic distances. This approach allows the mapping of the Universe expansion history over more than 12 billion years, covering 95\% of its age. Our analysis, using Bayesian inference, constrains the parameter space $\lbrace h, Ω_m, w_0\rbrace = \lbrace 0.731\pm0.039, 0.302^{+0.12}_{-0.069}, -1.01^{+0.52}_{-0.29}\rbrace $ (statistical) for a flat Universe. Our results provide new insights into cosmic evolution and imply a lack of change in the photo-kinematical properties of the young massive ionizing clusters in HII galaxies across most of the history of the Universe.

astro-ph.CO

Gravitational wave signatures from reheating in Chern-Simons running-vacuum cosmology

Within the context of a Chern-Simons running-vacuum-model (RVM) cosmology, one expects an early-matter dominated (eMD) reheating period after RVM inflation driven by the axion field. Treating thus in this work Chern-Simons RVM cosmology as an effective $f(R)$ gravity theory characterized by logarithmic corrections of the spacetime curvature, we study the gravitational-wave (GW) signal induced by the nearly-scale invariant inflationary adiabatic curvature perturbations during the transition from the eMD era driven by the axion to the late radiation-dominated era. Remarkably, by accounting for the extra GW scalaron polarization present within $f(R)$ gravity theories, we find regions in the parameter space of the theory where one is met with a distinctive induced GW signal with a universal $f^6$ high-frequency scaling compared to the $f^7$ scaling present in general relativity (GR). Interestingly enough, for axion masses $m_a$ higher than 1 GeV and axion gauge couplings $f_a$ above $10^{-3}$ Planck mass, one can produce induced GW spectra within the sensitivity bands of future GW observatories such as the Einstein Telescope (ET), the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the Big Bang Observer (BBO) and the Square Kilometer Arrays (SKA).

gr-qc

Observable Signatures of No-Scale Supergravity in NANOGrav

In light of NANOGrav data we provide for the first time possible observational signatures of Superstring theory. Firstly, we work with inflection-point inflationary potentials naturally realised within Wess-Zumino type no-scale Supergravity, which give rise to the formation of microscopic primordial black holes (PBHs) triggering an early matter-dominated era (eMD) and evaporating before Big Bang Nucleosythesis (BBN). Remarkably, we obtain an abundant production of primordial gravitational waves (PGW) at the frequency ranges of nHz, Hz and kHz and in strong agreement with Pulsar Time Array (PTA) GW data. This PGW background could serve as a compelling observational signature for the presence of quantum gravity via no-scale Supergravity.

hep-th

Revisiting string-inspired running-vacuum models under the lens of light primordial black holes

Light primordial black holes (PBHs) with masses $M_\mathrm{PBH}<10^9\mathrm{g}$ can interestingly dominate the Universe's energy budget and give rise to early matter-dominated (eMD) eras before Big Bang Nucleosyntesis (BBN). During this eMD era, one is met with an abundant production of induced gravitational waves (GWs) serving as a portal to constrain the underlying theory of gravity. In this work, we study this type of induced GWs within the context of string-inspired running-vaccuum models (StRVMs), which, when expanded around de Sitter backgrounds, include logarithmic corrections of the space-time curvature. In particular, we discuss in detail the effects of StRVMs on the source as well as on the propagation of these PBH-induced GWs. Remarkably, under the assumption that the logarithmic terms represent quantum gravity corrections in the PBH era, we show that GW overproduction can be avoided if one assumes a coefficient of these logarithmic corrections that is much larger than the square of the reduced Planck mass. The latter cannot characterise quantum gravity corrections, though, prompting the need for revision of the quantisation of StRVMs in different than de Sitter backgrounds, such as those characterising PBH-driven eMD eras. This non trivial result suggests the importance of light PBHs as probes of new physics.

gr-qc

Alleviating both $H_0$ and $σ_8$ tensions in Tsallis cosmology

We present how Tsallis cosmology can alleviate both $H_0$ and $σ_8$ tensions simultaneously. Such a modified cosmological scenario is obtained by the application of the gravity-thermodynamics conjecture, but using the non-additive Tsallis entropy, instead of the standard Bekenstein-Hawking one. Hence, one obtains modified Friedmann equations, with extra terms that depend on the new Tsallis exponent $δ$ that quantifies the departure from standard entropy. We show that for particular $δ$ choices we can obtain a phantom effective dark energy, which is known to be one of the sufficient mechanisms that can alleviate $H_0$ tension. Additionally, for the same parameter choice we obtain an increased friction term and an effective Newton's constant smaller than the usual one, and thus the $σ_8$ tension is also solved. These features act as a significant advantage of Tsallis modified cosmology.

gr-qc

Building cubic gravity with healthy and viable scalar and tensor perturbations

We investigate sufficient conditions under which cubic gravity is healthy and viable at the perturbation level. We perform a detailed analysis of the scalar and tensor perturbations. We impose the requirement that the two scalar potentials, whose ratio is the post-Newtonian parameter $γ$, should deviate only minimally form general relativity. Additionally, concerning tensor perturbations we impose satisfaction of the LIGO-VIRGO and Fermi Gamma-ray Burst observations, and thus we result to a gravitational-wave equation with gravitational-wave speed equal to the speed of light, and where the only deviation from general relativity appears in the dispersion relation. Furthermore, we show that cubic gravity exhibits an effective Newton's constant that depends on the model parameter, on the background evolution, and on the wavenumber scale. Hence, by requiring its deviation from the standard Newton's constant to be within observational bounds we extract the constraints on the single coupling parameter $β$.

gr-qc

Gravitational wave signatures of no-scale Supergravity in NANOGrav and beyond

In this Letter, we derive for the first time a characteristic three-peaked GW signal within the framework of no-scale Supergravity, being the low-energy limit of Superstring theory. We concentrate on the primordial gravitational wave (GW) spectrum induced due to second-order gravitational interactions by inflationary curvature perturbations as well as by isocurvature energy density perturbations of primordial black holes (PBHs) both amplified due to the presence of an early matter-dominated era (eMD) era before Big Bang Nucleosythesis (BBN). In particular, we work with inflection-point inflationary potentials naturally-realised within Wess-Zumino type no-scale Supergravity and giving rise to the formation of microscopic PBHs triggering an eMD era and evaporating before BBN. Remarkably, we obtain an abundant production of gravitational waves at the frequency ranges of $\mathrm{nHz}$, $\mathrm{Hz}$ and $\mathrm{kHz}$ and in strong agreement with Pulsar Time Array (PTA) GW data. Interestingly enough, a simultaneous detection of all three $\mathrm{nHz}$, $\mathrm{Hz}$ and $\mathrm{kHz}$ GW peaks can constitute a potential observational signature for no-scale Supergravity.

hep-th

Induced gravitational waves from flipped SU(5) superstring theory at $\mathrm{nHz}$

The no-scale flipped SU(5) superstring framework constitutes a very promising paradigm for physics below the Planck scale providing us with a very rich cosmological phenomenology in accordance with observations. In particular, it can accommodate Starobinsky-like inflation, followed by a reheating phase, which is driven by a light "flaton" field, and during which the GUT phase transition occurs. In this Letter, we extract for the first time a gravitational-wave (GW) signal which naturally arises in the context of the flipped SU(5) cosmological phenomenology and is related to the existence of an early matter era (eMD) driven by the flaton field. Specifically, we study GWs non-linearly induced by inflationary perturbations and which are abundantly produced during a sudden transition from the flaton-driven eMD era to the late-time radiation-dominated era. Remarkably, we find a GW signal with a characteristic peak frequency $f_\mathrm{GW,peak}$ depending only on the string slope $α'$ and reading as $f_\mathrm{GW,peak} \propto 10^{-9} \left(\frac{α'}{α'_*}\right)^4 \mathrm{Hz}$, where $α'_*$ is the fiducial string slope being related directly to the reduced Planck scale $M_\mathrm{Pl}$ as $α'_* = 8/M^2_\mathrm{Pl}$. Interestingly enough, $f_\mathrm{GW,peak}$ lies within the $\mathrm{nHz}$ frequency range; hence rendering this primordial GW signal potentially detectable by SKA, NANOGrav and PTA probes at their very low frequency region of their detection bands.

astro-ph.CO