Top ten accelerating cosmological models

Recent astronomical observations indicate that the Universe is presently almost flat and undergoing a period of accelerated expansion. Basing on Einstein's general relativity all these observations can be explained by the hypothesis of a dark energy component in addition to cold dark matter (CDM). Because the nature of this dark energy is unknown, it was proposed some alternative scenario to explain the current accelerating Universe. The key point of this scenario is to modify the standard FRW equation instead of mysterious dark energy component. The standard approach to constrain model parameters, based on the likelihood method, gives a best-fit model and confidence ranges for those parameters. We always arbitrary choose the set of parameters which define a model which we compare with observational data. Because in the generic case, the introducing of new parameters improves a fit to the data set, there appears the problem of elimination of model parameters which can play an insufficient role. The Bayesian information criteria of model selection (BIC) is dedicated to promotion a set of parameters which should be incorporated to the model. We divide class of all accelerating cosmological models into two groups according to the two types of explanation acceleration of the Universe. Then the Bayesian framework of model selection is used to determine the set of parameters which gives preferred fit to the SNIa data. We find a few of flat cosmological models which can be recommend by the Bayes factor. We show that models with dark energy as a new fluid are favoured over models featuring a modified FRW equation.     

Cosmological model with energy transfer

The observations of SNIa suggest that we live in the acceleration epoch when the densities of the cosmological constant term and matter are almost equal. This leads to the cosmic coincidence conundrum. As the explanation for this problem we propose the FRW model with dark matter and dark energy which interact each other exchanging energy. We show that the cubic correction to the Hubble law, measured by distant supernovae type Ia, probes this interaction. We demonstrate that influences between nonrelativistic matter and vacuum sectors are controlled by third and higher derivatives of the scale factor. As an example we consider flat decaying Λ(t)$\Lambda (t)$ FRW cosmologies. We point out the possibility of measure of the energy transfer by the cubic and higher corrections to Hubble's law. The statistical analysis of SNIa data is used as an evidence of energy transfer. We find that there were the transfer from the dark energy sector to the dark matter one without any assumption about physics governing this process. We confront this hypothesis about the transfer with SNIa observations and find that the transfer the phantom and matter sector is admissible for Ω_m,0=0.27${\Omega }_{\mathrm{m},0}=0.27$. We also demonstrate that it is possible to differentiate between the energy transfer model and the variable coefficient equation of state model.     

Cosmological models and latest observational data

In this note, we consider the observational constraints on some cosmological models by using the 307 Union type Ia supernovae (SNIa), the 32 calibrated gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) at z>1.4, the updated shift parameter R from WMAP 5-year data (WMAP5), and the distance parameter A of the measurement of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) peak in the distribution of SDSS luminous red galaxies with the updated scalar spectral index n _s from WMAP5. The tighter constraints obtained here update the ones obtained previously in the literature.     

Anisotropy Effects and Observational Data on the Constraints of Evolution Dark Energy Models

We investigate cosmological dark energy models where the accelerated expansion of the universe is driven by a field with an anisotropic universe. The constraints on the parameters are obtained by maximum likelihood analysis using observational of 194 Type Ia supernovae(SNIa) and the most recent joint light-curve analysis(JLA) sample. In particular we reconstruct the dark energy equation of state parameter w(z) and the deceleration parameter q(z). We find that the best fit dynamical w(z) obtained from the 194 SNIa dataset does not cross the phantom divide line w(z) =-1 and remains above and close to w(z)≈-0.92 line for the whole redshift range 0 ≤ z ≤ 1.75 showing no evidence for phantom behavior. By applying the anisotropy effect on the ΛCDM model, the joint analysis indicates that ?_(σ0)= 0.0163 ± 0.03,with 194 SNIa, ?_(σ0)=-0.0032 ± 0.032 with 238 the SiFTO sample of JLA and ?_(σ0)= 0.011 ± 0.0117 with 1048 the SALT2 sample of Pantheon at 1σ′confidence interval. The analysis shows that by considering the anisotropy, it leads to more best fit parameters in all models with JLA SNe datasets. Furthermore, we use two statistical tests such as the usual χ_(min)~2/dof and p-test to compare two dark energy models with ΛCDM model. Finally we show that the presence of anisotropy is confirmed in mentioned models via SNIa dataset.     

Cosmological Models with Linearly Varying Deceleration Parameter

We propose a new law for the deceleration parameter that varies linearly with time and covers Berman’s law where it is constant. Our law not only allows one to generalize many exact solutions that were obtained assuming constant deceleration parameter, but also gives a better fit with data (from SNIa, BAO and CMB), particularly concerning the late time behavior of the universe. According to our law only the spatially closed and flat universes are allowed; in both cases the cosmological fluid we obtain exhibits quintom like behavior and the universe ends with a big-rip. This is a result consistent with recent cosmological observations.     

Wave function of the Universe in the early stage of its evolution

In quantum cosmological models, constructed in the framework of Friedmann–Robertson–Walker metrics, a nucleation of the Universe with its further expansion is described as a tunneling transition through an effective barrier between regions with small and large values of the scale factor a at non-zero (or zero) energy. The approach for describing this tunneling consists of constructing a wave function satisfying an appropriate boundary condition. There are various ways for defining the boundary condition that lead to different estimates of the barrier penetrability and the tunneling time. In order to describe the escape from the tunneling region as accurately as possible and to construct the total wave function on the basis of its two partial solutions unambiguously, we use the tunneling boundary condition that the total wave function must represent only the outgoing wave at the point of escape from the barrier, where the following definition for the wave is introduced: the wave is represented by the wave function whose modulus changes minimally under a variation of the scale factor a. We construct a new method for a direct non-semiclassical calculation of the total stationary wave function of the Universe, analyze the behavior of this wave function in the tunneling region, near the escape point and in the asymptotic region, and estimate the barrier penetrability. We observe oscillations of the modulus of the wave function in the external region starting from the turning point which decrease with increasing of a and which are not shown in semiclassical calculations. The period of such an oscillation decreases uniformly with increasing a and can be used as a fully quantum dynamical characteristic of the expansion of the Universe.     

Natures of Statefinder Parameters and Om Diagnostic for Cardassian Universe in Ho?ava-Lifshitz Gravity

In this work, we have considered Cardassian Universe in Ho?ava-Lifshitz gravity. Four types of Cardassian Universe models i.e., polytropic/power law, modified polytropic, exponential and modified exponential models have been considered for accelerating models. The natures of statefinder parameters, deceleration parameter, Om diagnostic and EoS parameters have been investigated for all types of Cardassian models in Ho?ava-Lifshitz gravity.     

Dissipative or conservative cosmology with dark energy?

All evolutional paths for all admissible initial conditions of FRW cosmological models with dissipative dust fluid (described by dark matter, baryonic matter and dark energy) are analyzed using dynamical system approach. With that approach, one is able to see how generic the class of solutions leading to the desired property—acceleration—is. The theory of dynamical systems also offers a possibility of investigating all possible solutions and their stability with tools of Newtonian mechanics of a particle moving in a one-dimensional potential which is parameterized by the cosmological scale factor. We demonstrate that flat cosmology with bulk viscosity can be treated as a conservative system with a potential function of the Chaplygin gas type. We characterize the class of dark energy models that admit late time de Sitter attractor solution in terms of the potential function of corresponding conservative system. We argue that inclusion of dissipation effects makes the model more realistic because of its structural stability. We also confront viscous models with SNIa observations. The best fitted models are obtained by minimizing the χ² function which is illustrated by residuals and χ² levels in the space of model independent parameters. The general conclusion is that SNIa data supports the viscous model without the cosmological constant. The obtained values of χ² statistic are comparable for both the viscous model and ΛCDM model. The Bayesian information criteria are used to compare the models with different power-law parameterization of viscous effects. Our result of this analysis shows that SNIa data supports viscous cosmology more than the ΛCDM model if the coefficient in viscosity parameterization is fixed. The Bayes factor is also used to obtain the posterior probability of the model.     

Cosmological constraints on unparticle dark matter

In unparticle dark matter (unmatter) models, the equation of state of the unmatter is given by p=ρ/(2d _U+1), where d _U is the scaling factor. Unmatter with such equations of state would have a significant impact on the history of the expansion of the universe. Using type Ia supernovae (SNIa), the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurements and the shift parameter of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) to place constraints on such unmatter models, we find that if only the SNIa data are used, the constraints are weak. However, with the BAO and CMB shift parameter data added, strong constraints can be obtained. For the ΛUDM model, in which unmatter is the sole dark matter, we find that d _U>60 at 95% C.L. For comparison, in most unparticle physics models it is assumed that d _U<2. For the ΛCUDM model, in which unmatter co-exists with cold dark matter, we found that the unmatter can at most make up a few percent of the total cosmic density if d _U<10; thus it cannot be the major component of dark matter.     

Gaussian wave packet states of relic gravitons

In this contribution, we investigate quantum effects of relic gravitons in a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmological background. We reduce the problem to that of a generalized time-dependent harmonic oscillator and find the corresponding exact Schrödinger states with the help of linear invariants and of the dynamical invariant method. Afterwards, we construct Gaussian wave packet states and calculate the quantum dispersions as well as the quantum correlations for each mode of the quantized field.     

Cosmological model with viscosity media (dark fluid) described by an effective equation of state

A generally parameterized equation of state (EOS) is investigated in the cosmological evolution with bulk viscosity media modelled as dark fluid, which can be regarded as a unification of dark energy and dark matter. Compared with the case of the perfect fluid, this EOS has possessed four additional parameters, which can be interpreted as the case of the non-perfect fluid with time-dependent viscosity or the model with variable cosmological constant. From this general EOS, a completely integrable dynamical equation to the scale factor is obtained with its solution explicitly given out. (i) In this parameterized model of cosmology, for a special choice of the parameters we can explain the late-time accelerating expansion universe in a new view. The early inflation, the median (relatively late time) deceleration, and the recently cosmic acceleration may be unified in a single equation. (ii) A generalized relation of the Hubble parameter scaling with the redshift is obtained for some cosmology interests. (iii) By using the SNe Ia data to fit the effective viscosity model we show that the case of matter described by p=0$p=0$ plus with effective viscosity contributions can fit the observational gold data in an acceptable level.     

Cylindrically symmetric inhomogeneous cosmological models with viscous fluid and varying Λ

Cylindrically symmetric non-static cosmological models representing a bulk viscous fluid distribution have been obtained which are inhomogeneous and anisotropic. Without assuming anyadhoc law, we obtain a cosmological constant as a decreasing function of time. Various physical and geometrical features of the models are also discussed.     

Stationary condition in a perturbative approach for mass varying neutrinos

A perturbative approach for arbitrary choices of the equation of state of the universe is introduced in order to treat scenarios for mass varying neutrinos (MaVaNs) coupled to the dark sector. The generalized criterion for the applicability of such an approach is expressed through a constraint on the coefficient of the linear perturbation on the dark sector scalar field. This coefficient depends on the ratio between the variation of the neutrino energy and the scalar field potential. Upon certain conditions, the usual stationary condition found in the context of MaVaN models together with the perturbative contribution can be employed to predict the dynamical evolution of the neutrino mass. Our results clearly indicate that the positiveness of the squared speed of sound of the coupled fluid and the model stability are not conditioned by the stationary condition.     

Bulk viscous L.R.S. Bianchi type V tilted stiff fluid cosmological model in general relativity

Locally rotationally symmetric (L.R.S.) Bianchi type V bulk viscous tilted stiff fluid cosmological model is investigated. To get the deterministic model of the universe, we have also assumed a condition A=Bⁿ between metric potentials A, B where n is the constant. The behaviour of the model in presence and absence of bulk viscosity and singularities in the model are also discussed. In general, the models represent accelerating, shearing, tilted and non-rotating universe. The models have point type singularity in presence and absence of bulk viscosity both.     

Phantom Friedmann cosmologies and higher-order characteristics of expansion

We discuss a more general class of phantom (p < −?) cosmologies with various forms of both phantom (w < −1), and standard (w > −1) matter. We show that many types of evolution which include both Big-Bang and Big-Rip singularities are admitted and give explicit examples. Among some interesting models, there exist non-singular oscillating (or “bounce”) cosmologies, which appear due to a competition between positive and negative pressure of variety of matter content. From the point of view of the current observations the most interesting cosmologies are the ones which start with a Big-Bang and terminate at a Big-Rip. A related consequence of having a possibility of two types of singularities is that there exists an unstable static universe approached by the two asymptotic models—one of them reaches Big-Bang, and another reaches Big-Rip. We also give explicit relations between density parameters Ω and the dynamical characteristics for these generalized phantom models, including higher-order observational characteristics such as jerk and “kerk.” Finally, we discuss the observational quantities such as luminosity distance, angular diameter, and source counts, both in series expansion and explicitly, for phantom models. Our series expansion formulas for the luminosity distance and the apparent magnitude go as far as to the fourth-order in redshift z term, which includes explicitly not only the jerk, but also the “kerk” (or “snap”) which may serve as an indicator of the curvature of the universe.     

Holographic Ricci dark energy in Randall–Sundrum braneworld: Avoidance of big rip and steady state future

In the holographic Ricci dark energy (RDE) model, the parameter α plays an important role in determining the evolutionary behavior of the dark energy. When α<1/2, the RDE will exhibit a quintom feature, i.e., the equation of state of dark energy will evolve across the cosmological constant boundary w=−1. Observations show that the parameter α is indeed smaller than 1/2, so the late-time evolution of RDE will be really like a phantom energy. Therefore, it seems that the big rip is inevitable in this model. On the other hand, the big rip is actually inconsistent with the theoretical framework of the holographic model of dark energy. To avoid the big rip, we appeal to the extra dimension physics. In this Letter, we investigate the cosmological evolution of the RDE in the braneworld cosmology. It is of interest to find that for the far future evolution of RDE in a Randall–Sundrum braneworld, there is an attractor solution where the steady state (de Sitter) finale occurs, in stead of the big rip.     

Exorcising w < −1

We show that the combined dimming of Type Ia supernovae induced by both a cosmological constant and the conversion of photons into axions in extra-galactic magnetic fields can impersonate dark energy with an equation of state w < −1. An observer unaware of the presence of photon-axion conversion would interpret the additional dimming as cosmic acceleration faster than that induced by a cosmological constant alone. We find that this mechanism can mimic equations of state as negative as w ? −1.5. Our model does not have any ghosts, phantoms, and the like. It is fully consistent with the conventional effective field theory in curved space, and all existing observational constraints on the axions are obeyed.     

Quintom cosmologies admitting either tracking or phantom attractors

In this Letter we investigate the evolution of a class of cosmologies fueled by quintom dark energy and dark matter. Quintom dark energy is a hybrid of quintessence and phantom which involves the participation of two real scalar fields playing the roles of those two types of dark energy. In that framework we examine, from a dynamical systems perspective, the possibility that those fields are coupled among them by considering an exponential potential with an interesting functional dependence similar but not identical to others studied before. The model we consider represents a counterexample to the typical behavior of quintom models with exponential potentials because it admits either tracking attractors (w=0$w=0$), or phantom attractors (w<−1$w<-1$).