arXiv subjects

Vasilios Zarikas

Publications and source records attributed to Vasilios Zarikas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Inflation driven by repulsive-like primordial black holes

We review a new natural inflationary mechanism operated by repulsive-like primordial black holes (PBHs). In particular, working within the ``Swiss - Cheese" cosmological framework, we find that a Universe filled with PBHs, whose spacetime metric presents a repulsive-like behaviour, is characterised by an early quasi-de-Sitter cosmic expansion phase. Notably, for light PBHs with $m < 5 \times 10^8 \mathrm{g}$, evaporating before Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), one is met with an exponential inflationary phase with graceful exit and reheating proceeding through PBH evaporation. Furthermore, one finds as well that PBHs with $m \sim 10^{12}\mathrm{g}$ and abundances $0.107 < Ω^\mathrm{eq}_\mathrm{PBH} < 0.5$ near matter-radiation equality can act as an early dark energy component, easing in this way naturally the Hubble tension.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Primordial black holes as cosmic expansion accelerators

We propose a novel and natural mechanism for cosmic acceleration driven by primordial black holes (PBHs) exhibiting repulsive behavior. Using a new ``Swiss Cheese'' cosmological approach, we demonstrate that this cosmic acceleration mechanism is a general phenomenon by examining three regular black hole spacetimes - namely the Hayward, the Bardeen and the Dymnikova spacetimes - as well as the singular de Sitter-Schwarzschild spacetime. Interestingly, by matching these black hole spacetimes with an isotropic and homogeneous expanding Universe, we obtain a phase of cosmic acceleration that ends at an energy scale characteristic to the black hole parameters or due to black hole evaporation. This cosmic acceleration mechanism can be relevant either to an inflationary phase with a graceful exit and reheating or to an early dark energy type of contribution pertinent to the Hubble tension. Remarkably, we find that ultra-light PBHs with masses $m<5\times 10^8\mathrm{g}$ dominating the energy content of the Univese before Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, can drive a successful inflationary expansion era without the use of an inflaton field. Additionally, PBHs with masses $m \sim 10^{12}\mathrm{g}$ and abundances $0.107 < Ω^\mathrm{eq}_\mathrm{PBH}< 0.5$, slightly before matter-radiation equality, can produce a substantial amount of early dark energy, helping to alleviate the $H_0$ tension.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Primordial black hole driven cosmic acceleration

We propose a natural mechanism for cosmic acceleration driven by primordial black holes (PBHs) with repulsive behavior, within a ''Swiss Cheese'' cosmological framework. Considering regular black hole spacetimes such as Hayward, Bardeen, and Dymnikova-as well as the singular Schwarzschild-de Sitter case-we consistently find a robust PBH-driven cosmic acceleration phase. This phase ends either at an energy scale set by the PBH parameters or through black hole evaporation. Notably, one finds that ultra-light PBHs with $m < 5 \times 10^8 \, {\rm g}$ can trigger exponential inflation with graceful exit and reheating. Additionally, PBHs with $m \sim 10^{12} \, {\rm g}$ and abundances $0.107 < Ω_{\rm PBH}^{\rm eq} < 0.5$ near matter-radiation equality can act as an early dark energy component, offering a potential resolution to the Hubble tension.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Renormalization Group-Improved Gravitational Action: A Lagrangian Framework

A new approach for embedding the renormalization group running of Newton's constant and cosmological constant in gravity is proposed. This approach is based on a gravitational Lagrangian that gives rise to a new class of modified gravity theories where $G$ and $Λ$ are spacetime-dependent functions. The Lagrangian formulation can be interpreted as an effective gravitational action that encapsulates the scale dependence of $G$ and $Λ$, arising from quantum effects in the early universe. We show that the new formalism can be discussed using partially the framework and results of Horndeski modified gravity, excluding the equations of motion of the scalar field. The study explores aspects of this new gravity action. We also analyze an interesting non-singular cosmological solution featuring power-law inflation and we discuss the generation of scalar and tensor perturbations within this framework.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Dark energy reconstruction analysis with artificial neural networks: Application on simulated Supernova Ia data from Rubin Observatory

In this paper, we present an analysis of Supernova Ia (SNIa) distance moduli $μ(z)$ and dark energy using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) reconstruction based on LSST simulated three-year SNIa data. The ANNs employed in this study utilize genetic algorithms for hyperparameter tuning and Monte Carlo Dropout for predictions. Our ANN reconstruction architecture is capable of modeling both the distance moduli and their associated statistical errors given redshift values. We compare the performance of the ANN-based reconstruction with two theoretical dark energy models: $Λ$CDM and Chevallier-Linder-Polarski (CPL). Bayesian analysis is conducted for these theoretical models using the LSST simulations and compared with observations from Pantheon and Pantheon+ SNIa real data. We demonstrate that our model-independent ANN reconstruction is consistent with both theoretical models. Performance metrics and statistical tests reveal that the ANN produces distance modulus estimates that align well with the LSST dataset and exhibit only minor discrepancies with $Λ$CDM and CPL.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Asymptotic Safety and the Cosmic Coincidence Problem

Asymptotic Safety (AS) Paradigm is an interesting set of ideas and methods towards a meaningful quantization of Gravity. A brief review of phenomenological consequences in the context of AS regarding cosmology with emphasis on dark energy is given. Furthermore, recent studies that suggest a natural explanation of the recent cosmic acceleration and its coincidence using large-scale structure and AS framework will be analyzed. Finally, the present work extends the analysis of a recent new set of modified Einstein equations inspired from AS program.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Phenomenological footprints of Lambda varying gravity theories inspired from quantum gravity models in the multi-messenger era

An interesting phenomenological consequence of Lambda varying gravity theories inspired by quantum gravity models is reported. The treatment in the present work is quite general and applicable to several different actions with Lambda varying, especially those used in RG approaches to quantum gravity. An effective gravitational action with a scale varying cosmological constant, Lambda, which depends on the system's characteristics, like the length and the energy density, is the key feature. If the system is an astrophysical object, like a cluster of galaxies, a black hole, etc, non-negligible corrections arise to several observable quantities. Distinctive footprints could refer to luminosity distance and strong/weak lensing measurements, among others. The present study focuses on the SNIa luminosity distance observable.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Extreme electron acceleration with fixed radiation energy

We examine the extreme situation of radiation from an electron that is asymptotically accelerated to the speed of light, resulting in finite emission energy. The analytic solution explicitly demonstrates the difference between radiation power loss and kinetic power loss (null).

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Swiss-cheese cosmologies with variable $G$ and $Λ$ from the renormalization group

A convincing explanation for the nature of the dark energy and dark matter is still missing. In recent works a RG-improved swiss-cheese cosmology with an evolving cosmological constant dependent on the \sch radius has been proven to be a promising model to explain the observed cosmic acceleration. In this work we extend this model to consider the combined scaling of the Newton constant $G$ and the cosmological constant $Λ$ according to the IR-fixed point hypothesis. We shall show that our model easily generates the observed recent passage from deceleration to acceleration without need of extra energy scales, exotic fields or fine tuning. In order to check the generality of the concept, two different scaling relations have been analysed and we proved that both are in very good agreement with $Λ$CDM cosmology. We also show that our model satisfies the observational local constraints on $\dot{G}/G$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Constraining the swiss-cheese IR-fixed point cosmology with cosmic expansion

In a recent work, it has been proposed that the recent cosmic passage to a cosmic acceleration era is the result of the existence of small anti-gravity sources in each galaxy and clusters of galaxies. In particular, a swiss-cheese cosmology model which relativistically integrates the contribution of all these anti-gravity sources on galactic scale has been constructed assuming the presence of an infrared fixed point for a scale dependent cosmological constant. The derived cosmological expansion provides explanation for both the fine tuning and the coincidence problem. The present work relaxes the previous assumption on the running of the cosmological constant and allows for a generic scaling around the infrared fixed point. Our analysis reveals in order to produce a cosmic evolution consistent with the best $Λ$CDM model, the IR-running of the cosmological constant is consistent with the presence of an IR-fixed point.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Bound on efficiency of heat engine from uncertainty relation viewpoint

Quantum cycles in established heat engines can be modeled with various quantum systems as working substances. For example, a heat engine can be modeled with an infinite potential well as the working substance to determine the efficiency and work done. However, in this method, the relationship between the quantum observables and the physically measurable parameters i.e., the efficiency and work done is not well understood from the quantum mechanics approach. A detailed analysis is needed to link the thermodynamic variables (on which the efficiency and work done depends) with the uncertainty principle for better understanding. Here, we present the connection of the sum uncertainty relation of position and momentum operators with thermodynamic variables in the quantum heat engine model. We are able to determine the upper and lower bounds on the efficiency of the heat engine through the uncertainty relation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Effective field equations and scale-dependent couplings in gravity

A new set of field equations for a space-time dependent Newton's constant $G(x)$ and cosmological constant $Λ(x)$ in the presence of matter is presented. We prove that it represents the most general mathematically consistent, physically plausible, set of evolution equations assuming at most second derivatives in the dynamical variables. In the new Einstein's equations, only $Λ$-kinetic terms arise, while in the modified conservation equation, derivative terms of $G$ also appear. As an application, this formalism is applied in the context of the Asymptotic Safety scenario to the early universe, assuming a perfect fluid with a radiation equation of state. Cosmological solutions are obtained for all types of spatial curvature, displaying a variety of interesting cosmic evolutions. As an indication of such behaviours, bouncing solutions, recollapsing solutions or non-singular expanding solutions with a transient acceleration era are discussed in details.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

IR quantum gravity solves naturally cosmic acceleration and its coincidence problem

The novel idea is that the undergoing accelerated expansion of the universe happens due to infrared quantum gravity modifications at intermediate astrophysical scales of galaxies or galaxy clusters, within the framework of Asymptotically Safe gravity. The reason is that structures of matter are associated with a scale-dependent positive cosmological constant of quantum origin. In this context, no extra unproven energy scales or fine-tuning are used. Furthermore, this model was confronted with the most recent observational data from a variety of probes, and with the aid of Bayesian analysis, the most probable values of the free parameters were extracted. Finally, the model proved to be statistically equivalent with $Λ$CDM, and thus being able to resolve naturally the concept of dark energy and its associated cosmic coincidence problem.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Electroweak baryogenesis by primordial black holes in Brans-Dicke modified gravity

A successful baryogenesis mechanism is proposed in the cosmological framework of Brans-Dicke modified gravity. Primordial black holes with small mass are produced at the end of the Brans-Dicke field domination era. The Hawking radiation reheats a spherical region around every black hole to a high temperature and the electroweak symmetry is restored there. A domain wall is formed separating the region with the symmetric vacuum from the asymmetric region where electroweak baryogenesis takes place. First order phase transition is not needed. In Brans-Dicke cosmologies black hole accretion can be strong enough to lead to black holes domination which extends the lifetime of black holes and therefore baryogenesis. The analysis of the whole scenario, finally, results in the observed baryon number which can be achieved for a CP-violation angle that is predicted by observationally accepted Two-Higgs Doublet Models. The advantage of our proposed scenario is that naturally provides both black hole domination and more efficient baryogenesis for smaller CP violating angles compared to the same mechanism applied in a FRW cosmological background.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Binary Black Hole Information Loss Paradox & Future Prospects

Various techniques to tackle the black hole information paradox have been proposed. A new way out to tackle the paradox is via the use of a pseudo-density operator. This approach has successfully dealt with the problem with a two qubit entangle system for a single black hole. In this paper, we present the interaction with a binary black hole system by using an arrangement of the three qubit system of Greenberger Horne Zeilinger (GHZ) state. We show that our results are in excellent agreement with the theoretical value. We have also studied the interaction between the two black holes by considering the correlation between the qubits in the binary black hole system. The results depict a complete agreement with the proposed model. In addition to the verification, we also propose how modern detection of gravitational waves can be used on our optical setup as an input source, thus bridging the gap with the gravitational wave's observational resources in terms of studying black hole properties with respect to quantum information and entanglement.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2020

Singularities and Phenomenological aspects of Asymptotic Safe Gravity

Asymptotic Safety (AS) Program for quantum gravity keeps the same fields and symmetries with General Relativity and studies the associated gravitational action as a fundamental part of the complete theory at the nonperturbative level with the help of functional renormalization group (RG) techniques. An important phenomenological task that can test the new point of view of AS approach is the discovery of RG improved cosmologies and black holes. In this work, we analyze the properties of recently found non-singular spherically symmetric and non-singular cosmological solutions. Furthermore, we derive a novel consistent set of modified Einstein field equations, in the spirit of AS, which respects the Bianchi identities. This new set of equations extend previously published modified Einstein equations which arise by adding appropriate covariant kinetic terms to the action.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Constraining the Asymptotically Safe Cosmology: cosmic acceleration without dark energy

A recently proposed Asymptotically Safe cosmology provides an elegant mechanism towards understanding the nature of dark energy and its associated cosmic coincidence problem. The underlying idea is that the accelerated expansion of the universe can occur due to infrared quantum gravity modifications at intermediate astrophysical scales (galaxies or galaxy clusters) which produce local anti-gravity sources. In this cosmological model no extra unproven energy scales or fine-tuning are used. In this study the Asymptotically Safe model is confronted with the most recent observational data from low-redshift probes, namely measurements of the Hubble parameter, standard candles (Pantheon SnIa, Quasi-stellar objects), Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAOs) and high redshift probes (CMB shift parameters). Performing an overall likelihood analysis we constrain the free parameters of the model and we test its performance against the concordance model (flat $Λ$CDM) utilizing a large family of information criteria. We find that the Asymptotically Safe model is statistically equivalent with $Λ$CDM, hence it can be seen as a viable and very efficient cosmological alternative.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2018

A solution of the dark energy and its coincidence problem based on local antigravity sources without fine-tuning or new scales

A novel idea is proposed for a natural solution of the dark energy and its cosmic coincidence problem. The existence of local antigravity sources, associated with astrophysical matter configurations distributed throughout the universe, can lead to a recent cosmic acceleration effect. Various physical theories can be compatible with this idea, but here, in order to test our proposal, we focus on quantum originated spherically symmetric metrics matched with the cosmological evolution through the simplest Swiss cheese model. In the context of asymptotically safe gravity, we have explained the observed amount of dark energy using Newton's constant, the galaxy or cluster length scales, and dimensionless order one parameters predicted by the theory, without fine-tuning or extra unproven energy scales. The interior modified Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric allows us to approximately interpret this result as that the standard cosmological constant is a composite quantity made of the above parameters, instead of a fundamental one.

gr-qc↗