arXiv subjects

Tiberiu Harko

Publications and source records attributed to Tiberiu Harko.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Irreversible thermodynamic description of interacting dark energy - dark matter cosmological models

We investigate the interaction between dark energy and dark matter in the framework of irreversible thermodynamics of open systems with matter creation/annihilation. We consider dark energy and dark matter as an interacting two component (scalar field and "ordinary" dark matter) cosmological fluid in a homogeneous spatially flat and isotropic Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) Universe. The thermodynamics of open systems as applied together with the gravitational field equations to the two component cosmological fluid leads to a generalization of the elementary dark energy-dark mater interaction theory, in which the decay (creation) pressures are explicitly considered as parts of the cosmological fluid stress-energy tensor. Specific models describing coherently oscillating scalar waves, leading to a high particle production at the beginning of the oscillatory period, and models with a constant potential energy scalar field are considered. Furthermore, exact and numerical solutions of the gravitational field equations with dark energy-dark matter interaction are also obtained.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Extended $f(R,L_m)$ gravity with generalized scalar field and kinetic term dependences

We generalize previous work by considering a novel gravitational model with an action given by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar, the matter Lagrangian density, a scalar field and a kinetic term constructed from the gradients of the scalar field, respectively. The gravitational field equations in the metric formalism are obtained, as well as the equations of motion for test particles, which follow from the covariant divergence of the stress-energy tensor. Specific models with a nonminimal coupling between the scalar field and the matter Lagrangian are further explored. We emphasize that these models are extremely useful for describing an interaction between dark energy and dark matter, and for explaining the late-time cosmic acceleration.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Wormholes supported by hybrid metric-Palatini gravity

Recently, a modified theory of gravity was presented, which consists of the superposition of the metric Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian with an $f(\cal R)$ term constructed à la Palatini. The theory possesses extremely interesting features such as predicting the existence of a long-range scalar field, that explains the late-time cosmic acceleration and passes the local tests, even in the presence of a light scalar field. In this brief report, we consider the possibility that wormholes are supported by this hybrid metric-Palatini gravitational theory. We present here the general conditions for wormhole solutions according to the null energy conditions at the throat and find specific examples. In the first solution, we specify the redshift function, the scalar field and choose the potential that simplifies the modified Klein-Gordon equation. This solution is not asymptotically flat and needs to be matched to a vacuum solution. In the second example, by adequately specifying the metric functions and choosing the scalar field, we find an asymptotically flat spacetime.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Geodesic deviation, Raychaudhuri equation, and tidal forces in modified gravity with an arbitrary curvature-matter coupling

The geodesic deviation equation, describing the relative accelerations of nearby particles, and the Raychaudhury equation, giving the evolution of the kinematical quantities associated with deformations (expansion, shear and rotation) are considered in the framework of modified theories of gravity with an arbitrary curvature-matter coupling, by taking into account the effects of the extra force. As a physical application of the geodesic deviation equation the modifications of the tidal forces due to the supplementary curvature-matter coupling are obtained in the weak field approximation. The tidal motion of test particles is directly influenced not only by the gradient of the extra force, which is basically determined by the gradient of the Ricci scalar, but also by an explicit coupling between the velocity and the Riemann curvature tensor. As a specific example, the expression of the Roche limit (the orbital distance at which a satellite will begin to be tidally torn apart by the body it is orbiting) is also obtained for this class of models.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Extended f(R,L_m) theories of gravity

We consider a maximal extension of the Hilbert-Einstein action and analyze several interesting features of the theory. More specifically, the motion is non-geodesic and takes place in the presence of an extra force. These models could lead to some major differences, as compared to the predictions of General Relativity or other modified theories of gravity, in several problems of current interest, such as cosmology, gravitational collapse or the generation of gravitational waves. Thus, the study of these phenomena may also provide some specific signatures and effects, which could distinguish and discriminate between the various gravitational models.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Weyl-Cartan-Weitzenböck gravity as a generalization of teleparallel gravity

We consider a gravitational model in a Weyl-Cartan space-time, in which the Weitzenböck condition of the vanishing of the sum of the curvature and torsion scalar is also imposed. Moreover, a kinetic term for the torsion is also included in the gravitational action. The field equations of the model are obtained from a Hilbert-Einstein type variational principle, and they lead to a complete description of the gravitational field in terms of two fields, the Weyl vector and the torsion, respectively, defined in a curved background. The cosmological applications of the model are investigated for a particular choice of the free parameters in which the torsion vector is proportional to the Weyl vector. Depending on the numerical values of the parameters of the cosmological model, a large variety of dynamic evolutions can be obtained, ranging from inflationary/accelerated expansions to non-inflationary behaviors. In particular we show that a de Sitter type late time evolution can be naturally obtained from the field equations of the model. Therefore the present model leads to the possibility of a purely geometrical description of the dark energy, in which the late time acceleration of the Universe is determined by the intrinsic geometry of the space-time.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

New derivation of the Lagrangian of a perfect fluid with a barotropic equation of state

In this paper we give a simple proof that when the particle number is conserved, the Lagrangian of a barotropic perfect fluid is $\mathcal{L}_m=-ρ[c^2 +\int P(ρ)/ρ^2 dρ]$, where $ρ$ is the \textit{rest mass} density and $P(ρ)$ is the pressure. To prove this result nor additional fields neither Lagrange multipliers are needed. Besides, the result is applicable to a wide range of theories of gravitation. The only assumptions used in the derivation are: 1) the matter part of the Lagrangian does not depend on the derivatives of the metric, and 2) the particle number of the fluid is conserved ($\nabla_σ(ρu^σ)=0$).

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Solar System constraints on local dark matter density

We study how the classical tests of general relativity are modified by the presence of a subdominant dark matter halo in the solar system. We use a general formalism to calculate the corrected expression for the relevant parameters, and obtain bound plots for the mean energy density and the dimension of the dark matter halo. Our results seem to favor a density profile peaked at the center of the solar system.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Generalized dark gravity

The late-time cosmic acceleration may be due to infra-red modifications of General Relativity. In particular, we consider a maximal extension of the Hilbert-Einstein action and analyze several interesting features of the theory. Generally, the motion is non-geodesic and takes place in the presence of an extra force, which is orthogonal to the four-velocity. These models could lead to some major differences, as compared to the predictions of General Relativity or other modified theories of gravity, in several problems of current interest, such as cosmology, gravitational collapse or the generation of gravitational waves. The study of these phenomena may also provide some specific signatures and effects, which could distinguish and discriminate between the various gravitational models.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Metric-Palatini gravity unifying local constraints and late-time cosmic acceleration

We present a novel approach to modified theories of gravity that consists of adding to the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian an f(R) term constructed a la Palatini. Using the respective dynamically equivalent scalar-tensor representation, we show that the theory can pass the Solar System observational constraints even if the scalar field is very light. This implies the existence of a long-range scalar field, which is able to modify the cosmological and galactic dynamics, but leaves the Solar System unaffected. We also verify the absence of instabilities in perturbations and provide explicit models which are consistent with local tests and lead to the late-time cosmic acceleration.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Cosmological evolution of finite temperature Bose-Einstein Condensate dark matter

Once the temperature of a bosonic gas is smaller than the critical, density dependent, transition temperature, a Bose - Einstein Condensation process can take place during the cosmological evolution of the Universe. Bose - Einstein Condensates are very strong candidates for dark matter, since they can solve some major issues in observational astrophysics, like, for example, the galactic core/cusp problem. The presence of the dark matter condensates also drastically affects the cosmic history of the Universe. In the present paper we analyze the effects of the finite dark matter temperature on the cosmological evolution of the Bose-Einstein Condensate dark matter systems. We formulate the basic equations describing the finite temperature condensate, representing a generalized Gross-Pitaevskii equation that takes into account the presence of the thermal cloud in thermodynamic equilibrium with the condensate. The temperature dependent equations of state of the thermal cloud and of the condensate are explicitly obtained in an analytical form. By assuming a flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) geometry, the cosmological evolution of the finite temperature dark matter filled Universe is considered in detail in the framework of a two interacting fluid dark matter model, describing the transition from the initial thermal cloud to the low temperature condensate state. The dynamics of the cosmological parameters during the finite temperature dominated phase of the dark matter evolution are investigated in detail, and it is shown that the presence of the thermal excitations leads to an overall increase in the expansion rate of the Universe.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Wormhole geometries in modified teleparralel gravity and the energy conditions

In this work, we explore the possibility that static and spherically symmetric traversable wormhole geometries are supported by modified teleparallel gravity or f(T) gravity, where T is the torsion scalar. Considering the field equations with an off-diagonal tetrad, a plethora of asymptotically flat exact solutions are found, that satisfy the weak and the null energy conditions throughout the spacetime. More specifically, considering T=0, we find the general conditions for a wormhole satisfying the energy conditions at the throat and present specific examples. Secondly, considering specific choices for the f(T) form and for the redshift and shape functions, several solutions of wormhole geometries are found that satisfy the energy conditions throughout the spacetime. As in their general relativistic counterparts, these f(T) wormhole geometries present far-reaching physical and cosmological implications, such as being theoretically useful as shortcuts in spacetime and for inducing closed timelike curves, possibly violating causality.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Stochastic oscillations of general relativistic disks

We analyze the general relativistic oscillations of thin accretion disks around compact astrophysical objects interacting with the surrounding medium through non-gravitational forces. The interaction with the external medium (a thermal bath) is modeled via a friction force, and a random force, respectively. The general equations describing the stochastically perturbed disks are derived by considering the perturbations of trajectories of the test particles in equatorial orbits, assumed to move along the geodesic lines. By taking into account the presence of a viscous dissipation and of a stochastic force we show that the dynamics of the stochastically perturbed disks can be formulated in terms of a general relativistic Langevin equation. The stochastic energy transport equation is also obtained. The vertical oscillations of the disks in the Schwarzschild and Kerr geometries are considered in detail, and they are analyzed by numerically integrating the corresponding Langevin equations. The vertical displacements, velocities and luminosities of the stochastically perturbed disks are explicitly obtained for both the Schwarzschild and the Kerr cases.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Could pressureless dark matter have pressure?

A two-fluid dark matter model, in which dark matter is represented as a two-component fluid thermodynamic system, without interaction between the constituent particles of different species, and with each distinct component having a different four-velocity, was recently proposed in Harko & Lobo, [Phys. Rev. D83, 124051 (2011)]. In the present paper we further investigate the two-fluid dark matter model, by assuming that the two dark matter components are pressureless, non-comoving fluids. For this particular choice of the equations of state the dark matter distribution can be described as a single anisotropic fluid, with vanishing tangential pressure, and non-zero radial pressure. We investigate the properties of this model in the region of constant velocity galactic rotation curves, where the dynamics of the test particles is essentially determined by the dark matter only. By solving the general relativistic equations of mass continuity and hydrostatic equilibrium we obtain the geometric and physical parameters of the dark matter halos in the constant velocity region in an exact analytical form. The general, radial coordinate dependent, functional relationship between the energy density and the radial pressure is also determined, and it differs from a simple barotropic equation of state.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Finite temperature effects in Bose-Einstein Condensed dark matter halos

Once the critical temperature of a cosmological boson gas is less than the critical temperature, a Bose-Einstein Condensation process can always take place during the cosmic history of the universe. Zero temperature condensed dark matter can be described as a non-relativistic, Newtonian gravitational condensate, whose density and pressure are related by a barotropic equation of state, with barotropic index equal to one. In the present paper we analyze the effects of the finite dark matter temperature on the properties of the Bose-Einstein Condensed dark matter halos. We formulate the basic equations describing the finite temperature condensate, representing a generalized Gross-Pitaevskii equation that takes into account the presence of the thermal cloud. The static condensate and thermal cloud in thermodynamic equilibrium is analyzed in detail, by using the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov and Thomas-Fermi approximations. The condensed dark matter and thermal cloud density and mass profiles at finite temperatures are explicitly obtained. Our results show that when the temperature of the condensate and of the thermal cloud are much smaller than the critical Bose-Einstein transition temperature, the zero temperature density and mass profiles give an excellent description of the dark matter halos. However, finite temperature effects may play an important role in the early stages of the cosmological evolution of the dark matter condensates.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2011

Constraining Hořava-Lifshitz gravity by weak and strong gravitational lensing

We discuss gravitational lensing in the Kehagias-Sfetsos space-time emerging in the framework of Hořava-Lifshitz gravity. In weak lensing we show that there are three regimes, depending on the value of $\bar λ=1/ωd^{2}$, where $ω$ is the Hořava-Lifshitz parameter and $d$ characterizes the lensing geometry. When $\bar λ$ is close to zero, light deflection typically produces two images, as in Schwarzschild lensing. For very large $\bar λ$ the space-time approaches flatness, therefore there is only one undeflected image. In the intermediate range of $\bar λ$ only the upper focused image is produced due to the existence of a maximal deflection angle $δ_{max}$, a feature inexistent in the Schwarzschild weak lensing. We also discuss the location of Einstein rings, and determine the range of the Hořava-Lifshitz parameter compatible with present day lensing observations. Finally, we analyze in the strong lensing regime the first two relativistic Einstein rings and determine the constraints on the parameter range to be imposed by forthcoming experiments.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Thin accretion disk signatures of slowly rotating black holes in Hořava gravity

In the present work, we consider the possibility of observationally testing Hořava gravity by using the accretion disk properties around slowly rotating black holes of the Kehagias-Sfetsos solution in asymptotically flat spacetimes. The energy flux, temperature distribution, the emission spectrum as well as the energy conversion efficiency are obtained, and compared to the standard slowly rotating general relativistic Kerr solution. Comparing the mass accretion in a slowly rotating Kehagias-Sfetsos geometry in Hořava gravity with the one of a slowly rotating Kerr black hole, we verify that the intensity of the flux emerging from the disk surface is greater for the slowly rotating Kehagias-Sfetsos solution than for rotating black holes with the same geometrical mass and accretion rate. We also present the conversion efficiency of the accreting mass into radiation, and show that the rotating Kehagias-Sfetsos solution provides a much more efficient engine for the transformation of the accreting mass into radiation than the Kerr black holes. Thus, distinct signatures appear in the electromagnetic spectrum, leading to the possibility of directly testing Hořava gravity models by using astrophysical observations of the emission spectra from accretion disks.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

f(R,T) gravity

We consider f(R,T) modified theories of gravity, where the gravitational Lagrangian is given by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R and of the trace of the stress-energy tensor T. We obtain the gravitational field equations in the metric formalism, as well as the equations of motion for test particles, which follow from the covariant divergence of the stress-energy tensor. Generally, the gravitational field equations depend on the nature of the matter source. The field equations of several particular models, corresponding to some explicit forms of the function f(R,T), are also presented. An important case, which is analyzed in detail, is represented by scalar field models. We write down the action and briefly consider the cosmological implications of the $f(R,T^ϕ)$ models, where $T^ϕ$ is the trace of the stress-energy tensor of a self-interacting scalar field. The equations of motion of the test particles are also obtained from a variational principle. The motion of massive test particles is non-geodesic, and takes place in the presence of an extra force orthogonal to the four-velocity. The Newtonian limit of the equation of motion is further analyzed. Finally, we provide a constraint on the magnitude of the extra-acceleration by analyzing the perihelion precession of the planet Mercury in the framework of the present model.

gr-qc↗