Filtering out the cosmological constant in the Palatini formalism of modified gravity

According to theoretical physics the cosmological constant (CC) is expected to be much larger in magnitude than other energy densities in the universe, which is in stark contrast to the observed Big Bang evolution. We address this old CC problem not by introducing an extremely fine-tuned counterterm, but in the context of modified gravity in the Palatini formalism. In our model the large CC term is filtered out, and it does not prevent a standard cosmological evolution. We discuss the filter effect in the epochs of radiation and matter domination as well as in the asymptotic de Sitter future. The final expansion rate can be much lower than inferred from the large CC without using a fine-tuned counterterm. Finally, we show that the CC filter works also in the Kottler (Schwarzschild-de Sitter) metric describing a black hole environment with a CC compatible to the future de Sitter cosmos.     

One-loop effective action for non-local modified Gauss–Bonnet gravity in de Sitter space

We discuss the classical and quantum properties of non-local modified Gauss–Bonnet gravity in de Sitter space, using its equivalent representation via string-inspired local scalar-Gauss–Bonnet gravity with a scalar potential. A classical, multiple de Sitter universe solution is found where one of the de Sitter phases corresponds to the primordial inflationary epoch, while the other de Sitter space solution—the one with the smallest Hubble rate—describes the late-time acceleration of our universe. A Chameleon scenario for the theory under investigation is developed, and it is successfully used to show that the theory complies with gravitational tests. An explicit expression for the one-loop effective action for this non-local modified Gauss–Bonnet gravity in the de Sitter space is obtained. It is argued that this effective action might be an important step towards the solution of the cosmological constant problem.     

A mesoscopic quantum gravity effect

We explore the symmetry reduced form of a non-perturbative solution to the constraints of quantum gravity corresponding to quantum de Sitter space. The system has a remarkably precise analogy with the non-relativistic formulation of a particle falling in a constant gravitational field that we exploit in our analysis. We find that the solution reduces to de Sitter space in the semi-classical limit, but the uniquely quantum features of the solution have peculiar property. Namely, the unambiguous quantum structures are neither of Planck scale nor of cosmological scale. Instead, we find a periodicity in the volume of the universe whose period, using the observed value of the cosmological constant, is on the order of the volume of the proton.     

A new gravitational model for dark energy

A new gravitational model for dark energy is presented based on the model of de Sitter gauge theory of gravity. In the model, in addition to the cosmological constant, the homogeneous and isotropic torsion and its coupling with curvature play an important role for dark energy. The model may supply the universe with a natural transit from decelerating expansion to accelerating expansion.     

The solution of the cosmological constant problem from the inhomogeneous equation of state — a hint from modified gravity?

The cosmological constant problem is studied in a two component cosmological model. The universe contains a cosmological constant of an arbitrary size and sign and an additional component with an inhomogeneous equation of state. It is shown that, in a proper parameter regime, the expansion of the universe with a large absolute value of the cosmological constant may asymptotically tend to de Sitter space corresponding to a small effective positive cosmological constant. It is argued that such a behavior can be regarded as a solution of the cosmological constant problem in this model. The mechanism behind the relaxation of the cosmological constant is discussed. A connection with modified gravity theories is discussed and an example of a possible realization of the cosmological constant relaxation in f(R) modified gravity is described.     

A new gravitational model for dark energy

A new gravitational model for dark energy is presented based on the model of de Sitter gauge theory of gravity.In the model,in addition to the cosmological constant,the homogeneous and isotropic torsion and its coupling with curvature play an important role for dark energy.The model may supply the universe with a natural transit from decelerating expansion to accelerating expansion.     

Friedmann cosmology with decaying vacuum density

Among the several proposals to solve the incompatibility between the observed small value of the cosmological constant and the huge value obtained by quantum field theories, we can find the idea of a decaying vacuum energy density, leading from high values at early times of universe evolution to the small value observed nowadays. In this paper we consider a variation law for the vacuum density recently proposed by Schützhold on the basis of quantum field estimations in the curved, expanding background, characterized by a vacuum density proportional to the Hubble parameter. We show that, in the context of an isotropic and homogeneous, spatially flat model, the corresponding solutions retain the well established features of the standard cosmology, and, in addition, are in accordance with the observed cosmological parameters. Our scenario presents an initial phase dominated by radiation, followed by a dust era long enough to permit structure formation, and by an epoch dominated by the cosmological term, which tends asymptotically to a de Sitter universe. Taking the matter density equals to half of the vacuum energy density, as suggested by observation, we obtain a universe age given by Ht = 1.1, and a decelerating parameter equals to −1/2.     

Stability Properties and Asymptotics for N Nonminimally Coupled Scalar Fields Cosmology

We consider here the dynamics of some homogeneous and isotropic cosmological models with N interacting classical scalar fields nonminimally coupled to the spacetime curvature, as an attempt to generalize some recent results obtained for one and two scalar fields. We show that a Lyapunov function can be constructed under certain conditions for a large class of models, suggesting that chaotic behavior is ruled out for them. Typical solutions tend generically to the empty de Sitter (or Minkowski) fixed points, and the previous asymptotic results obtained for the one field model remain valid. In particular, we confirm that, for large times and a vanishing cosmological constant, even in the presence of the extra scalar fields, the universe tends to an infinite diluted matter dominated era.     

Screening of cosmological constant for de Sitter Universe in non-local gravity,phantom-divide crossing and finite-time future singularities

We investigate de Sitter solutions in non-local gravity as well as in non-local gravity with Lagrange constraint multiplier. We examine a condition to avoid a ghost and discuss a screening scenario for a cosmological constant in de Sitter solutions. Furthermore, we explicitly demonstrate that three types of the finite-time future singularities can occur in non-local gravity and explore their properties. In addition, we evaluate the effective equation of state for the universe and show that the late-time accelerating universe may be effectively the quintessence, cosmological constant or phantom-like phases. In particular, it is found that there is a case in which a crossing of the phantom divide from the non-phantom (quintessence) phase to the phantom one can be realized when a finite-time future singularity occurs. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the addition of an R ² term can cure the finite-time future singularities in non-local gravity. It is also suggested that in the framework of non-local gravity, adding an R ² term leads to possible unification of the early-time inflation with the late-time cosmic acceleration.     

Matching radiation-dominated and matter-dominated Einstein–de Sitter universes and an application for primordial black holes in evolving cosmological backgrounds

By matching across a surface of constant time, it is demonstrated that the spacetime for a radiation-dominated Einstein–de Sitter universe can be directly matched to the spacetime for a matter-dominated Einstein–de Sitter universe. Thus, this can serve as a model of a universe filled with radiation that suddenly is converted to matter and antimatter, or a universe filled with matter and antimatter that suddenly annihilates to leave radiation. This matching is shown to hold for asymptotically Einstein–de Sitter cosmological black hole spacetimes, yielding simplistic models of primordial black holes that evolve between being in radiation-dominated universes and matter-dominated universes.     

Regular phantom black holes

We study self-gravitating, static, spherically symmetric phantom scalar fields with arbitrary potentials (favored by cosmological observations) and single out 16 classes of possible regular configurations with flat, de Sitter, and anti-de Sitter asymptotics. Among them are traversable wormholes, bouncing Kantowski-Sachs (KS) cosmologies, and asymptotically flat black holes (BHs). A regular BH has a Schwarzschild-like causal structure, but the singularity is replaced by a de Sitter infinity, giving a hypothetic BH explorer a chance to survive. It also looks possible that our Universe has originated in a phantom-dominated collapse in another universe, with KS expansion and isotropization after crossing the horizon. Explicit examples of regular solutions are built and discussed. Possible generalizations include k-essence type scalar fields (with a potential) and scalar-tensor gravity.     

On the cosmological viability of the Hu-Sawicki type modified induced gravity

It has been shown recently that the normal branch of a DGP braneworld scenario self-accelerates if the induced gravity on the brane is modified in the spirit of f(R) modified gravity. Within this viewpoint, we investigate cosmological viability of the Hu-Sawicki type modified induced gravity. Firstly, we present a dynamical system analysis of a general f(R)-DGP model. We show that in the phase space of the model, there exist three standard critical points; one of which is a de Sitter point corresponding to accelerating phase of the universe expansion. The stability of this point depends on the effective equation of state parameter of the curvature fluid. If we consider the curvature fluid to be a canonical scalar field in the equivalent scalar-tensor theory, the mentioned de Sitter phase is unstable, otherwise it is an attractor, stable phase. We show that the effective equation of state parameter of the model realizes an effective phantom-like behavior. A cosmographic analysis shows that this model, which admits a stable de Sitter phase in its expansion history, is a cosmologically viable scenario.     

Planckian birth of a quantum de sitter universe

We show that the quantum universe emerging from a nonperturbative, Lorentzian sum over geometries can be described with a high accuracy by a four-dimensional de Sitter spacetime. By a scaling analysis involving Newton's constant, we establish that the linear size of the quantum universes under study is in between 17 and 28 Planck lengths. Somewhat surprisingly, the measured quantum fluctuations around the de Sitter universe in this regime are to good approximation still describable semiclassically. The numerical evidence presented comes from a regularization of quantum gravity in terms of causal dynamical triangulations.     

A dynamical system approach to Bianchi III cosmology for Hu–Sawicki type <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

The cosmological dynamics of spatially homogeneous but anisotropic Bianchi type-III space-time is investigated in presence of a perfect fluid within the framework of Hu–Sawicki model. We use the dynamical system approach to perform a detailed analysis of the cosmological behaviour of this model for the model parameters \(n=1, c_1=1\), determining all the fixed points, their stability and corresponding cosmological evolution. We have found stable fixed points with de Sitter solution along with unstable radiation like fixed points. We have identified a matter like point which act like an unstable spiral and when the initial conditions of a trajectory are very close to this point, it stabilizes at a stable accelerating point. Thus, in this model, the universe can naturally approach to a phase of accelerated expansion following a radiation or a matter dominated phase. It is also found that the isotropisation of this model is affected by the spatial curvature and that all the isotropic fixed points are found to be spatially flat.     

Recovering the Cosmological Constant in Scalar-Tensor Cosmologies

We extend the cosmic no-hair theorem to a general class of scalar-tensor nonminimally coupled theories of gravity where ordinary matter is also present in the form of a perfect fluid. We give a set of conditions for obtaining an asymptotic de Sitter expansion, independently of any initial data, by a sort of time-dependent (effective) cosmological constant. Finally we apply the results to some specific models.     

WAVE FUNCTIOM OF THE UNIVERSE WITH QUAETUM CORRECTION OF MATTER FIELDS

Considering the effective gravitational actionincluding the quantum correction of the matter fields, we calculate nearly realistic wave function of the universe by using the scheme of Hartle and Hawking. The particular case with the cosmological constant Λ=0 is discussed, then the conclusion that the spacetime may be de Sitter's without Λ is obtained, this is just a result of interaction between gravity and matter fields. When the radius of the universe is larger than 10^-1lp, the universe must be on the classical epoch. This paper shows that a practical quantum model of the universe is possible.     

Semiclassical perdurance of de Sitter space

We investigate the classical and semiclassical instabilities of de Sitter space. Due to the presence of a cosmological event horizon and its associated Hawking temperature, de Sitter space might be expected to behave in some respects like flat space at finite temperature. We use the euclidean formulation of quantum gravity to show that de Sitter space does exhibit a semiclassical instability to the nucleation of black holes. We find, however, no analog to the classical instability due to gravitational clumping of thermally excited gravitons.     

Dark energy and dark matter from nonlocal ghost-free gravity theory

We suggest a class of generally covariant ghost-free nonlocal gravity models generating de Sitter or anti-de Sitter background with an arbitrary value of the effective cosmological constant and featuring a mechanism of dark matter simulation. These models interpolate between the general relativistic phase on a flat spacetime background and their strongly coupled infrared (anti-)de Sitter phase with two propagating massless graviton modes.     

de Sitter Tunneling,Emission Spectrum and Entropy/Area Quantum

The Banerjee-Majhi's recent work shows that the Hawking radiation and entropy/area quantum of the black hole horizon (EH) can be well described in the tunneling picture. In this paper, we develop this idea to the case of a de Sitter tunneling from the cosmological horizon (CH), and obtain the Hawking emission spectrum and entropy/area spectroscopy from the CH of the purely de Sitter black hole as well as the Schwarzschild-de Sitter black hole. It is interestingly found that the area of the CH is quantized by Δ A=4l_pl², as was given by Hod for the area quantum of -the EH by considering the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and Schwinger-type emission process. Also, we conclude from our derivation that the entropy/area quantum of the CH is universal in the sense that it is independent of the black hole parameters. This realization implies that, (at least) at a semiclassical level, the de Sitter gravity shares the similar quantum behavior as the usual gravity without presence of a cosmological constant.