Testing Cosmological Models using the Kinematics of High Redshift Galaxies

The scaling of the apparent angular diameter of galaxies with redshift θ(z) is a powerful discriminator of cosmological models. In this paper we argue that the rotational velocity of distant galaxies, when interpreted as size indicator, may be used as an interesting tool to select high redshift standard rods. Upcoming deep redshift surveys will allow an implementation of this classical geometrical test to measure directly the amplitude of the cosmological constant Λ, or to constrain the cosmic equation of state parameter for a smooth dark energy component (w = p/ρ, —1 ≤ w < 0).     

Anisotropic universe and observational constraint on the dark energy models with the cosmological redshift drift

This study set out to examine the effect of anisotropy on the various dark energy models by using the observational data, including the Sandage-Loeb test, Strongly gravitationally lensing, observational Hubble data, and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations data. In particular, we consider three cases of dark energy models: the cosmological constant model, which is most favored by current observations, the wCDM model where dark energy is introduced with constant w equation of state parameter and in Chevalier-Polarski-Linder parametrization where ω is allowed to evolve with redshift. With an anisotropy framework, a maximum likelihood method to constrain the cosmological parameters was implemented. With an anisotropic universe, we also study the behavior of different cosmological parameters such as Hubble parameter, EoS parameter, and deceleration parameter of dark energy models mentioned. The results indicate that the Bianchi type I model for the dark energy models are consistent with the combined observational data.     

LRS Bianchi-I anisotropic cosmological model with dominance of dark energy

The present study deals with spatially homogeneous and anisotropic locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type I cosmological model with dominance of dark energy. To get the deterministic model of Universe, we assume that the shear scalar (σ) in the model is proportional to expansion scalar (θ). This condition leads to A=B ⁿ , where A, B are metric potential and n is positive constant. It has been found that the anisotropic distribution of dark energy leads to the present accelerated expansion of Universe. The physical behavior of the Universe has been discussed in detail.     

Quantum vacuum and virtual gravitational dipoles: the solution to the dark energy problem?

The cosmological constant problem is the principal obstacle in the attempt to interpret dark energy as the quantum vacuum energy. We suggest that the obstacle can be removed, i.e. that the cosmological constant problem can be resolved by assuming that the virtual particles and antiparticles in the quantum vacuum have the gravitational charge of the opposite sign. The corresponding estimates of the cosmological constant, dark energy density and the equation of state for dark energy are in the intriguing agreement with the observed values in the present day Universe. However, our approach and the Standard Cosmology lead to very different predictions for the future of the Universe; the exponential growth of the scale factor, predicted by the Standard Cosmology, is suppressed in our model.     

Cosmic acceleration and extra dimensions: constraints on modifications of the Friedmann equation

An alternative to dark energy as an explanation for the present phase of accelerated expansion of the Universe is that the Friedmann equation is modified, e.g. by extra dimensional gravity, on large scales. We explore a natural parametrization of a general modified Friedmann equation, and find that the present supernova Type Ia and cosmic microwave background data prefer a correction of the form 1/ H to the Friedmann equation over a cosmological constant.     

WD 1953−011: a magnetic white dwarf with peculiar field structure

We present a new interpretation of recent observations suggesting that the expansion of the Universe has recently started to accelerate. A cosmological model with a quintessence field driven by a potential motivated by M-theory is used to study the energy density and equation of state for the Universe. We find that late-time acceleration does not have to lead to the usual predictions of perpetual acceleration. The model allows another broad class of scenarios in which today's acceleration is a transient phenomenon, which is succeeded by a return to matter domination and decelerating expansion.     

Nonlinear electrodynamics in f(T) gravity and generalized second law of thermodynamics

In this paper, we study the nonlinear electrodynamics in the framework of f(T) gravity for FRW universe along with dust matter, magnetic and torsion contributions. We evaluate the equation of state and deceleration parameters to explore the accelerated expansion of the universe. The validity of generalized second law of thermodynamics for Hubble and event horizons is also investigated in this scenario. For this purpose, we assume polelike and power-law forms of scale factor and construct f(T) models. The graphical behavior of the cosmological parameters versus smaller values of redshift z represent the accelerated expansion of the universe. It turns out that the generalized second law of thermodynamics holds for all values of z with Hubble and event horizons in polelike scale factor whereas for power-law form, it holds in a specific range of z for both horizons.     

On the nature of dark energy: the lattice Universe

There is something unknown in the cosmos. Something big. Which causes the acceleration of the Universe expansion, that is perhaps the most surprising and unexpected discovery of the last decades, and thus represents one of the most pressing mysteries of the Universe. The current standard ΛCDM model uses two unknown entities to make everything fit: dark energy and dark matter, which together would constitute more than 95 % of the energy density of the Universe. A bit like saying that we have understood almost nothing, but without openly admitting it. Here we start from the recent theoretical results that come from the extension of general relativity to antimatter, through CPT symmetry. This theory predicts a mutual gravitational repulsion between matter and antimatter. Our basic assumption is that the Universe contains equal amounts of matter and antimatter, with antimatter possibly located in cosmic voids, as discussed in previous works. From this scenario we develop a simple cosmological model, from whose equations we derive the first results. While the existence of the elusive dark energy is completely replaced by gravitational repulsion, the presence of dark matter is not excluded, but not strictly required, as most of the related phenomena can also be ascribed to repulsive-gravity effects. With a matter energy density ranging from ～5 % (baryonic matter alone, and as much antimatter) to ～25 % of the so-called critical density, the present age of the Universe varies between about 13 and 15 Gyr. The SN Ia test is successfully passed, with residuals comparable with those of the ΛCDM model in the observed redshift range, but with a clear prediction for fainter SNe at higher z. Moreover, this model has neither horizon nor coincidence problems, and no initial singularity is requested. In conclusion, we have replaced all the tough problems of the current standard cosmology (including the matter-antimatter asymmetry) with only one question: is the gravitational interaction between matter and antimatter really repulsive as predicted by the theory and as the observation of the Universe seems to suggest? We are awaiting experimental responses.     

Using bright ellipticals as dark energy cosmic clocks

The age of the Universe has been increasingly constrained by different techniques, such as the observations of type Ia supernovae (SNIa) at high redshift or dating the stellar populations of globular clusters. In this paper, we present a complementary approach using the colours of the brightest elliptical galaxies in clusters over a wide redshift range  ( z ≲ 1)  . We put new and independent bounds on the dark energy equation of state parametrized by a constant pressure-to-density ratio   w _Q  and by a parameter (ξ) which determines the scaling between the matter and dark energy densities. We find that accurate estimates of the metallicities of the stellar populations in moderate and high-redshift cluster galaxies can pose stringent constraints on the parameters that describe dark energy. Our results are in good agreement with the analysis of dark energy models using SNIa data as a constraint. Accurate estimates of the metallicities of stellar populations in cluster galaxies at   z ≲ 2  will make this approach a powerful complement to studies of cosmological parameters using high-redshift SNIa.     

New holographic dark energy in modified f(R) Horava-Lifshitz gravity

In this paper, we study the new holographic dark energy model in the framework of modified f(R) Horava-Lifshitz Gravity. We apply correspondence scheme to construct model the in underlying scenario using power-law form of scale factor. To explore accelerated expansion of the universe, some well-known cosmological parameters (equation of state parameter and squared speed of sound) and cosmological planes (ω _Λ – \(\omega'_{\varLambda}\) and statefinder) are discussed for reconstructed model. It is interesting to conclude that these parameters represent phantom behavior of the universe with stable configuration. also, the cosmological planes show compatible results with recent observations for accelerated expansion of the universe.     

Cosmic equation of state and advanced LIGO-type gravitational wave experiments

It is hoped that the future generation of interferometric gravitational wave detectors will provide accurate measurements of the final stages of binary in-spirals. The sources probed by such experiments are of extragalactic origin and the observed chirp mass is the intrinsic chirp mass multiplied by (1+ z ) where z is the redshift of the source. Moreover the luminosity distance is a direct observable in such experiments. This creates the possibility to establish a new kind of cosmological test, supplementary to more standard ones.
Recent observations of distant type Ia supernovae light curves suggest that the expansion of the Universe has recently begun to accelerate. A popular explanation of the present accelerating expansion of the Universe is to assume that some part Ω_Q of the matter–energy density is in the form of a dark component called 'the quintessence' with the equation of state p _Q= wρ _Q with w ≥−1 . In this paper we consider the predictions concerning observations of binary in-spirals in future LIGO-type interferometric experiments assuming a 'quintessence cosmology'. In particular we compute the expected redshift distributions of observed events in the a priori admissible range of parameters describing the equation of state for the quintessence. We find that this distribution has a robust dependence on the cosmic equation of state.     

A better way to reconstruct dark energy models?

To reconstruct dark energy models the redshift z _eq , marking the end of radiation era and the beginning of matter-dominated era, can play a role as important as z _t , the redshift at which deceleration parameter experiences a signature flip. To implement the idea we propose a variable equation of state for matter that can bring a smooth transition from radiation to matter-dominated era in a single model. A popular Λ∝ ρ dark energy model is chosen for demonstration but found to be unacceptable. An alternative Λ∝ ρ a ³ model is proposed and found to be more close to observation.     

Preliminary results of the multisite time-series campaign on the sdB pulsator PG 1325+101

I present a model for the formation and evolution of a massive disk galaxy, within a growing dark halo whose mass evolves according to cosmological simulations of structure formation. The galactic evolution is simulated with a new 3D chemo-dynamical code, including dark matter, stars and a multi-phase ISM. We follow the evolution from redshift z = 4.85 until the present epoch. The energy release by massive stars and supernovae prevents a rapid collapse of the baryonic matter and delays the maximum star formation until redshift z ≈ 1. The galaxy forms radially from inside-out and vertically from top-to-bottom. The feedback of stars leads to turbulent motions and large-scale flows in the ISM. As one result the galactic disk is significantly enriched by chemical elements synthesized in bulge stars.     

Scalar field power-law cosmology with spatial curvature and dark energy-dark matter interaction

We consider a late closed universe of which scale factor is a power function of time using observational data from combined WMAP5+BAO+SN Ia dataset and WMAP5 dataset. The WMAP5 data give power-law exponent, α=1.01 agreeing with the previous study of H(z) data while combined data gives α=0.985. Considering a scalar field dark energy and dust fluid evolving in the power-law universe, we find field potential, field solution and equation of state parameters. Decaying from dark matter into dark energy is allowed in addition to the non-interaction case. Time scale characterizing domination of the kinematic expansion terms over the dust and curvature terms in the scalar field potential are found to be approximately 5.3 to 5.5 Gyr. The interaction affects in slightly lowering the height of scalar potential and slightly shifting potential curves rightwards to later time. Mass potential function of the interacting Lagrangian term is found to be exponentially decay function.     

The speed of light and the Hubble parameter: the Mass-Boom effect

We prove here that Newton’s universal gravitation and momentum conservation laws together reproduce Weinberg’s relation. It is shown that the Hubble parameter H must be built in this relation, or equivalently the age of the Universe t. Using a wave-to-particle interaction technique we then prove that the speed of light c decreases with cosmological time, and that c is proportional to the Hubble parameter H. We see the expansion of the Universe as a local effect due to the LAB value of the speed of light c ₀ taken as constant. We present a generalized red shift law and find a predicted acceleration for photons that agrees well with the result from Pioneer 10/11 anomalous acceleration. We finally present a cosmological model coherent with the above results that we call the Mass-Boom. It has a linear increase of mass m with time as a result of the speed of light c linear decrease with time, and the conservation of momentum mc. We obtain the baryonic mass parameter equal to the curvature parameter, Ω _m =Ω _k , so that the model is of the type of the Einstein static, closed, finite, spherical, unlimited, with zero cosmological constant. This model is the cosmological view as seen by photons, neutrinos, tachyons etc. in contrast with the local view, the LAB reference. Neither dark matter nor dark energy is required by this model. With an initial constant speed of light during a short time we get inflation (an exponential expansion). This converts, during the inflation time, the Planck’s fluctuation length of 10^?33 cm to the present size of the Universe (about 10²⁸ cm, constant from then on). Thereafter the Mass-Boom takes care to bring the initial values of the Universe (about 10¹⁵ gr) to the value at the present time of about 10⁵⁵ gr.     

Consequences for some dark energy candidates from the type Ia supernova SN 1997ff

We examine the status of various dark energy models in light of the recently observed SN 1997ff at   z ≈1.7  . The modified data still fit a pure cosmological constant Λ or a quintessence with an equation of state similar to that of Λ. The kinematical Λ models,  Λ∼ S ^-2  and  Λ∼ H ²  , also fit the data reasonably well and require less dark energy density (hence more matter energy density) than is required by the constant Λ model. However, the model  Λ∼ S ^-2  with low energy density becomes unphysical as it cannot accommodate higher redshift objects.
We also examine an alternative explanation of the data, namely the absorption by the intervening whisker-like dust, and find that the quasi-steady state (QSS) model and the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) model  Ω_m0=0.33  without any dark energy also fit the data reasonably well.
We notice that the addition of SN 1997ff to the old data has worsened the fit to most of the models, except a closed FRW model with a constant Λ and a closed quintessence model with   ω _φ =-0.82  , and the models have started departing from each other as we go above   z =1  . However, to make a clear discrimination possible, a few more supernovae with   z >1  are required.
We have also calculated the age of the Universe in these models and find that, in the models with a constant Λ, the expansion age is uncomfortably close to the age of the globular clusters. Quintessence models show even lower age. The kinematical Λ models are, however, interesting in this connection (especially the model  Λ∼ H ²)  , as they give a remarkably large age of the Universe.     

On the equation of state for the Λ field

The recently detected accelerated expansion of the Universe is related to the existence of a new type of matter called the Λ field or quintessence. Constraints were obtained on its equation of state from the absence of clustering of this matter on scales much smaller than the cosmological horizon. The question of how these constraints affect the possibility of fitting the accelerated expansion by such cosmological models as the Chaplygin gas model is discussed.     

“Dark energy” in the Local Void

The unexpected discovery of the accelerated cosmic expansion in 1998 has filled the Universe with the embarrassing presence of an unidentified “dark energy”, or cosmological constant, devoid of any physical meaning. While this standard cosmology seems to work well at the global level, improved knowledge of the kinematics and other properties of our extragalactic neighborhood indicates the need for a better theory. We investigate whether the recently suggested repulsive-gravity scenario can account for some of the features that are unexplained by the standard model. Through simple dynamical considerations, we find that the Local Void could host an amount of antimatter (∼5×10¹⁵  M _⊙) roughly equivalent to the mass of a typical supercluster, thus restoring the matter-antimatter symmetry. The antigravity field produced by this “dark repulsor” can explain the anomalous motion of the Local Sheet away from the Local Void, as well as several other properties of nearby galaxies that seem to require void evacuation and structure formation much faster than expected from the standard model. At the global cosmological level, gravitational repulsion from antimatter hidden in voids can provide more than enough potential energy to drive both the cosmic expansion and its acceleration, with no need for an initial “explosion” and dark energy. Moreover, the discrete distribution of these dark repulsors, in contrast to the uniformly permeating dark energy, can also explain dark flows and other recently observed excessive inhomogeneities and anisotropies of the Universe.     

Cosmic dynamics in the era of Extremely Large Telescopes

The redshifts of all cosmologically distant sources are expected to experience a small, systematic drift as a function of time due to the evolution of the Universe's expansion rate. A measurement of this effect would represent a direct and entirely model-independent determination of the expansion history of the Universe over a redshift range that is inaccessible to other methods. Here we investigate the impact of the next generation of Extremely Large Telescopes on the feasibility of detecting and characterizing the cosmological redshift drift. We consider the Lyα forest in the redshift range  2 < z < 5  and other absorption lines in the spectra of high-redshift QSOs as the most suitable targets for a redshift drift experiment. Assuming photon-noise-limited observations and using extensive Monte Carlo simulations we determine the accuracy to which the redshift drift can be measured from the Lyα forest as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and redshift. Based on this relation and using the brightness and redshift distributions of known QSOs we find that a 42-m telescope is capable of unambiguously detecting the redshift drift over a period of ∼20 yr using 4000 h of observing time. Such an experiment would provide independent evidence for the existence of dark energy without assuming spatial flatness, using any other cosmological constraints or making any other astrophysical assumption.