A new model of agegraphic dark energy

In this note, we propose a new model of agegraphic dark energy based on the Károlyházy relation, where the time scale is chosen to be the conformal time η   of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe. We find that in the radiation-dominated epoch, the equation-of-state parameter of the new agegraphic dark energy wq=−1/3$w_q=-1/3$ whereas Ωq=n²a²${\Omega }_q=n^2{a}^2$; in the matter-dominated epoch, wq=−2/3$w_q=-2/3$ whereas Ωq=n²a²/4${\Omega }_q=n^2{a}^2/4$; eventually, the new agegraphic dark energy dominates; in the late time wq→−1$w_q\to -1$ when a→∞$a\to \infty$, and the new agegraphic dark energy mimics a cosmological constant. In every stage, all things are consistent. The confusion in the original agegraphic dark energy model proposed in [R.G. Cai, Phys. Lett. B 657 (2007) 228, arXiv: 0707.4049 [hep-th]] disappears in this new model. Furthermore, Ωq?1${\Omega }_q?1$ is naturally satisfied in both radiation-dominated and matter-dominated epochs where a?1$a?1$. In addition, we further extend the new agegraphic dark energy model by including the interaction between the new agegraphic dark energy and background matter. In this case, we find that wq$w_q$ can cross the phantom divide.     

Chaotic inflation,radiative corrections and precision cosmology

We employ chaotic (?²${?}^2$ and ?⁴${?}^4$) inflation to illustrate the important role radiative corrections can play during the inflationary phase. Yukawa interactions of ?  , in particular, lead to corrections of the form −κ?⁴ln(?/μ)$-\kappa {?}^4\ln (?/\mu )$, where κ>0$\kappa >0$ and μ   is a renormalization scale. For instance, ?⁴${?}^4$ chaotic inflation with radiative corrections looks compatible with the most recent WMAP (5 year) analysis, in sharp contrast to the tree level case. We obtain the 95% confidence limits 2.4×¹⁰⁻¹⁴?κ?5.7×¹⁰⁻¹⁴$2.4\times {10}^{\mathrm{-14}}?\kappa ?5.7\times {10}^{\mathrm{-14}}$, 0.931?ns?0.958$0.931?n_s?0.958$ and 0.038?r?0.205$0.038?r?0.205$, where ns$n_s$ and r   respectively denote the scalar spectral index and scalar to tensor ratio. The limits for ?²${?}^2$ inflation are κ?7.7×¹⁰⁻¹⁵$\kappa ?7.7\times {10}^{\mathrm{-15}}$, 0.929?ns?0.966$0.929?n_s?0.966$ and 0.023?r?0.135$0.023?r?0.135$. The next round of precision experiments should provide a more stringent test of realistic chaotic ?²${?}^2$ and ?⁴${?}^4$ inflation.     

Generalized Chaplygin gas model: Constraints from Hubble parameter versus redshift data

We examine observational constraints on the generalized Chaplygin gas (GCG) model for dark energy from the 9 Hubble parameter data points, the 115 SNLS Sne Ia data and the size of baryonic acoustic oscillation peak at redshift, z=0.35$z=0.35$. At a 95.4% confidence level, a combination of three data sets gives 0.67?As?0.83$0.67?A_s?0.83$ and −0.21?α?0.42$-0.21?\alpha ?0.42$, which is within the allowed parameters ranges of the GCG as a candidate of the unified dark matter and dark energy. It is found that the standard Chaplygin gas model (α=1$\alpha =1$) is ruled out by these data at the 99.7% confidence level.     

Avoiding the big-rip jeopardy in a quintom dark energy model with higher derivatives

In the framework of a single scalar field quintom model with higher derivative, we construct in this Letter a dark energy model of which the equation of state (EOS) w   crosses over the cosmological constant boundary. Interestingly during the evolution of the universe w<−1$w<-1$ happens just for a period of time with a distinguished feature that w   starts with a value above −1, transits into w<−1$w<-1$, then comes back to w>−1$w>-1$. This avoids the big-rip jeopardy induced by w<−1$w<-1$.     

Precursors of parametric oscillatory instability in LIGO interferometer

The basis of undesirable effect of parametric oscillatory instability in optical interferometer is provided by excitation of the additional (Stokes) optical mode having frequency ω₁${\omega }_1$, and the mirror elastic mode, having frequency ωm${\omega }_m$. It appears when optical energy stored in the main mode, with frequency ω₀${\omega }_0$, exceeds a certain threshold and the frequencies are related as ω₀?ω₁+ωm${\omega }_0?{\omega }_1+{\omega }_m$. We analyze the time evolution of parametric instability which allows predicting the characteristics of precursors of parametric instability. Observation of such precursors may help avoid parametric instability.     

Standard Model Higgs boson mass from inflation

We analyse one-loop radiative corrections to the inflationary potential in the theory, where inflation is driven by the Standard Model Higgs field. We show that inflation is possible provided the Higgs mass mH$m_H$ lies in the interval mmin<mH<mmax$m_{\min }<m_H<m_{\max }$, where mmin=[136.7+(mt−171.2)×1.95] GeV$m_{\min }=[136.7+(m_t-171.2)\times 1.95]\text{GeV}$, mmax=[184.5+(mt−171.2)×0.5] GeV$m_{\max }=[184.5+(m_t-171.2)\times 0.5]\text{GeV}$ and mt$m_t$ is the mass of the top quark. In the renormalization scheme associated with the Einstein frame the predictions of the spectral index of scalar fluctuations and of the tensor-to-scalar ratio practically do not depend on the Higgs mass within the admitted region and are equal to ns=0.97$n_s=0.97$ and r=0.0034$r=0.0034$ correspondingly.     

Primordial perturbation in Hořava–Lifshitz cosmology

Recently, Ho?ava has proposed a renormalizable theory of gravity with critical exponent z=3$z=3$ in the UV. This proposal might imply that the scale invariant primordial perturbation can be generated in any expansion of early universe with a∼tn$a\sim t^n$ and n>1/3$n>1/3$, which, in this Letter, will be confirmed by solving the motion equation of perturbation mode on super sound horizon scale for any background evolution of early universe. It is found that if enough efolding number of primordial perturbation suitable for observable universe is required, then n?1$n?1$ needs to be satisfied, unless the scale of UV regime is quite low. However, the possible UV completeness of HL gravity helps to relax this bound.     

Inflationary predictions at small γ

This Letter explores single field inflation models with a constant, but arbitrary speed of sound cs$c_s$, obtained by deforming the kinetic energy terms to a Dirac–Born–Infeld form. Allowing cs<1$c_s<1$ provides a simple parametrization of non-Gaussianity. The dependence of inflationary observables on the parameter cs$c_s$ is considered in the leading order slow roll approximation. The results show that in most cases the dependence is actually rather weak for the range of cs$c_s$ allowed by existing bounds on non-Gaussianity.     

Wormholes with a barotropic equation of state admitting a one-parameter group of conformal motions

The theoretical construction of a traversable wormhole proposed by Morris and Thorne maintains complete control over the geometry by assigning both the shape and redshift functions, thereby leaving open the determination of the stress–energy tensor. This paper examines the effect of introducing the linear barotropic equation of state p_r=ωρ$p_r=\omega \rho$ on the theoretical construction. If either the energy density or the closely related shape function is known, then the Einstein field equations do not ordinarily yield a finite redshift function. If, however, the wormhole admits a one-parameter group of conformal motions, then both the redshift and shape functions exist provided that −3<ω<−1$-3<\omega <-1$. In a cosmological setting, the equation of state p=ωρ$p=\omega \rho$, ω<−1$\omega <-1$, is associated with phantom dark energy, which is known to support traversable wormholes. The restriction −3<ω<−1$-3<\omega <-1$ that arises in the present wormhole setting can be attributed to the assumption of conformal symmetry.     

A light scalar in low-scale technicolor

In addition to the narrow spin-one resonances ρT${\rho }_T$, ωT${\omega }_T$ and aT$a_T$ occurring in low-scale technicolor, there will be relatively narrow scalars in the mass range 200 to 600–700 GeV. We study the lightest isoscalar state, σT${\sigma }_T$. In several important respects it is like a heavy Higgs boson with a small vev. It may be discoverable with high luminosity at the LHC where it is produced via weak boson fusion and likely has substantial W⁺W⁻$W^{+}{W}^{-}$ and Z⁰Z⁰$Z^0{Z}^0$ decay modes.     

On phantom thermodynamics

The thermodynamic properties of dark energy fluids described by an equation of state parameter ω=p/ρ$\omega =p/\rho$ are rediscussed in the context of FRW type geometries. Contrarily to previous claims, it is argued here that the phantom regime ω<−1$\omega <-1$ is not physically possible since that both the temperature and the entropy of every physical fluids must be always positive definite. This means that one cannot appeal to negative temperature in order to save the phantom dark energy hypothesis as has been recently done in the literature. Such a result remains true as long as the chemical potential is zero. However, if the phantom fluid is endowed with a non-null chemical potential, the phantom field hypothesis becomes thermodynamically consistent, that is, there are macroscopic equilibrium states with T>0$T>0$ and S>0$S>0$ in the course of the Universe expansion.     

A parametric model for dark energy

Determining the mechanism behind the current cosmic acceleration constitutes a major question nowadays in theoretical physics. If the dark energy route is taken, this problem may potentially bring to light new insights not only in cosmology but also in high energy physics theories. Following this approach, we explore in this Letter some cosmological consequences of a new time-dependent parameterization for the dark energy equation of state (EoS), which is a well behaved function of the redshift z   over the entire cosmological evolution, i.e., z∈[−1,∞)$z\in [-1,\infty )$. This parameterization allows us to divide the parametric plane (w₀,w₁)$(w_0,w_1)$ in defined regions associated to distinct classes of dark energy models that can be confirmed or excluded from a confrontation with current observational data. By assuming a flat universe, a statistical analysis involving the most recent observations from type Ia supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillation peak, Cosmic Microwave Background shift parameter and Hubble evolution H(z)$H(z)$ is performed to check the observational viability of the EoS parameterization here proposed.     

Phantom and non-phantom dark energy: The cosmological relevance of non-locally corrected gravity

In this Letter we have investigated the cosmological dynamics of non-locally corrected gravity involving a function of the inverse d'Alembertian of the Ricci scalar, f(^□−1R)$f({\square }^{\mathrm{-1}}R)$. Casting the dynamical equations into local form, we derive the fixed points of the dynamics and demonstrate the existence and stability of a one parameter family of dark energy solutions for a simple choice, f(^□−1R)∼exp(α^□−1R)$f({\square }^{\mathrm{-1}}R)\sim \exp (\alpha {\square }^{\mathrm{-1}}R)$. The effective EoS parameter is given by, weff=(α−1)/(3α−1)$w_{\mathrm{eff}}=(\alpha -1)/(3\alpha -1)$ and the stability of the solutions is guaranteed provided that 1/3<α<2/3$1/3<\alpha <2/3$. For 1/3<α<1/2$1/3<\alpha <1/2$ and 1/2<α<2/3$1/2<\alpha <2/3$, the underlying system exhibits phantom and non-phantom behavior respectively; the de Sitter solution corresponds to α=1/2$\alpha =1/2$. For a wide range of initial conditions, the system mimics dust like behavior before reaching the stable fixed point. The late time phantom phase is achieved without involving negative kinetic energy fields. A brief discussion on the entropy of de Sitter space in non-local model is included.     

On phantom thermodynamics with negative temperature

We discuss the thermodynamic properties of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker universe with dark energy fluids labelled by ω=p/ρ<−1/3$\omega =p/\rho <-1/3$. Using the integrability condition, we show that the phantom phase of ω<−1$\omega <-1$ can still be thermodynamically allowed even when the temperature takes on negative values because in that case, there exists at least a condition of keeping physical values for p and ρ.     

Coincidence problem in YM field dark energy model

The coincidence problem is studied in the effective Yang–Mills condensate dark energy model. As the effective YM Lagrangian is completely determined by quantum field theory, there is no adjustable parameter in this model except the energy scale, and the cosmic evolution only depends on the initial conditions. For generic initial conditions with the YM condensate subdominant to the radiation and matter, the model always has a tracking solution, the Universe transits from matter-dominated into the dark energy dominated stage only recently z∼0.3$z\sim 0.3$, and evolve to the present state with Ωy∼0.73${\Omega }_y\sim 0.73$ and Ωm∼0.27${\Omega }_m\sim 0.27$.