Modified gravity in contemporary universe

Astronomical data in favor of cosmological acceleration and possible explanations of accelerated expansion of the universe are discussed. Main attention is paid to gravity modifications at small curvature which could induce accelerated cosmological expansion. It is shown that gravitating systems with mass density rising with time evolve to a singular state with infinite curvature scalar. The universe evolution during the radiation-dominated epoch is studied in the R ²-extended gravity theory. Particle production rate by the oscillating curvature and the back reaction of particle production on the evolution of R are calculated in one-loop approximation. Possible implications of the model for cosmological creation of non-thermal dark matter are discussed.     

Bianchi Type-IX Dust Filled Universe with Ideal Fluid Distribution in Creation Field

We have investigated Bianchi type-IX dust filled universe for ideal fluid distribution in creation field in which creation field is a function of time t only. To get deterministic cosmological model, we have assumed a supplementary condition a = b ⁿ , where a and b are metric potential and n is constant. Also, we have study the physical and geometrical parameters of the said cosmological model.     

C-Field Cosmological Model for Barotropic Fluid Distribution with Varying Λ in FRW Space Time

A cosmological model for barotropic fluid distribution in creation field cosmology with varying cosmological constant (Λ) in FRW space-time is investigated. To get the deterministic model satisfying conservation equation, we have assumed $\varLambda = \frac{1}{R^{2}}$ as considered by Chen and Wu (in Phys. Rev. D 41:695, 1990) where R is scale factor. We find that creation field (C) increases with time, which matches with the result of HN Theory (in Hoyle and Narlikar, Proc. R. Astron. Soc. A 282:178, 1964), $\varLambda\sim\frac{1}{t^{2}}$ , the spatial volume increases with time and deceleration parameter q<0 which shows that universe is accelerating. This result matches with recent observations. The inflationary scenario exists in the models and the results so obtained match with astronomical observations. The various special cases of the model (21) viz. dust filled universe (γ=0) and radiation dominated era (ρ=3p), ρ=p (stiff fluid universe) are also discussed. The models are free from horizon.     

A Cosmological Model of Thermodynamic Open Universe

In this paper we have given a generalization of the earlier work by Prigogine et al. (Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 19:1, 1989; Gen. Relativ. Gravit. 21(8):767–776, 1989) who have constructed a phenomenological model of entropy production via particle creation in the very early universe generated out of the vacuum rather than from a singularity, by including radiation also as the energy source and tried to develop an alternative cosmological model in which particle creation prevents the big bang. We developed Radiation dominated model of the universe which shows a general tendency that (i) it originates from instability of vacuum rather than from a singularity. (ii) Up to a characteristic time t _c cosmological quantities like density, pressure, Hubble constant and expansion parameter vary rapidly with time. (iii) After the characteristic time these quantities settles down and the models are turned into de-Sitter type model with uniform matter, radiation, creation densities and Hubble’s constant H. The de-Sitter regime survives during a decay time t _d then connects continuously to a usual adiabatic matter radiation RW universe. The interesting thing in the paper is that we have related the phenomenological radiation dominated model to macroscopic model of quantum particle creation in the early universe giving rise to the present observed value of cosmic background radiation. It is also found that the dust filled model tallies exactly with that of the Prigogine’s one, which justifies that our model is generalized Prigogine’s model. Although the model originates from instability of vacuum rather than from a singularity, still there is a couple of unavoidable singularities in the model.     

Fermions and expanding universe

The coupledDirac-Einstein equations for a homogeneous isotropic space-time forbid aclosed universe but lead to the standard cosmological model for aflat universe. Therefore only theopen universe is left as a nontrivial situation. There some of the desired cosmological effects emerge in a natural way:inflation, creation ex nihilo, etc.     

Two-Fluid Anisotropic Cosmological Model with Variable G and Λ

Two-fluid anisotropic Bianchi type-III cosmological model is investigated with variable gravitational constant G and cosmological constant Λ in the framework of Einstein’s general relativity. In the two-fluid model, one fluid represents the matter content of the universe and another fluid is chosen to model the cosmic microwave background radiation. The dynamics of the anisotropic universe with variable G and Λ are discussed. We also discussed in detail the behavior of associated fluid parameters and kinematical parameters.     

Bulk Viscosity and Decaying Vacuum Density in Friedmann Universe

We present an isotropic and homogeneous flat cosmological model for bulk viscous fluid distribution. We consider the vacuum density proportional to Hubble expansion parameter and time dependent bulk viscosity related to the velocity and acceleration of universe. The behaviour of resulting solutions are in accordance with recent astronomical observations. The model obtained evolves with a decelerating expansion followed by late time acceleration. Cosmological term Λ being very large at initial epoch relaxes to a genuine cosmological constant asymptotically. Presence of bulk viscosity prevents the matter density to vanish asymptotically and the matter density continues to be of the order of vacuum density after a finite time. Thus, we obtain a universe having the possibility of cosmic coincidence.     

Bulk Viscous Bianchi Type-III Cosmological Model with Time-Dependent <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> and Λ

This paper deals with Bianchi type-III anisotropic cosmological model of the universe filled with a bulk viscous fluid with time varying gravitational and cosmological constants. It is shown that the field equations are solvable for any arbitrary cosmic scale function. Exact solutions of Einstein’s field equations are obtained which represent an expanding, shearing, non-rotating and decelerating universe. The physical behaviour of the model has also been discussed.     

Dynamics of anisotropic power-law <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) cosmology

Modified theories of gravity have attracted much attention of the researchers in the recent years. In particular, the f(R) theory has been investigated extensively due to important f(R) gravity models in cosmological contexts. This paper is devoted to exploring an anisotropic universe in metric f(R) gravity. A locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type I cosmological model is considered for this purpose. Exact solutions of modified field equations are obtained for a well-known f(R) gravity model. The energy conditions are also discussed for the model under consideration. The viability of the model is investigated via graphical analysis using the present-day values of cosmological parameters. The model satisfies null energy, weak energy, and dominant energy conditions for a particular range of the anisotropy parameter while the strong energy condition is violated, which shows that the anisotropic universe in f(R) gravity supports the crucial issue of accelerated expansion of the universe.     

Baryon asymmetry and low energy parity restoration

We examine the question of baryon number generation in the early universe in theories with low intermediate mass scales It is shown that the recently proposed O(10) grand unified theory with parity restoration at E ≈ few hundred GeV allows for the creation of matter-antimatter asymmetry in accord with cosmological observations. This evades a recent general argument for incompatibility between weakly broken left-right symmetry and substantial baryon generation.     

Phantom Appearance of Non-phantom Matter in Bianchi Type-I Cosmological Model

Two cosmological models with non-phantom matter having the same expansion of the universe as phantom cosmologies are constructed in Bianchi type-I universe. The exact solutions to the corresponding Einstein field equations have been obtained. The cosmological parameters have been obtained in two interesting cases (i) γ=0 and (ii) γ=1/3. We have also discussed the well-known astrophysical phenomena, namely the look-back time, luminosity distance and event horizon with redshift.     

Exact solutions and conserved quantities in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) Gravity

This paper explores Noether and Noether gauge symmetries of anisotropic universe model in f(R, T) gravity. We consider two particular models of this gravity and evaluate their symmetry generators as well as associated conserved quantities. We also find exact solution by using cyclic variable and investigate its behavior via cosmological parameters. The behavior of cosmological parameters turns out to be consistent with recent observations which indicates accelerated expansion of the universe. Next we study Noether gauge symmetry and corresponding conserved quantities for both isotropic and anisotropic universe models. We conclude that symmetry generators and the associated conserved quantities appear in all cases.     

Nonsingular decaying-vacuum cosmology and baryonic matter

A nonsingular closed universe model with continuous creation of radiation or matter from the vacuum is introduced. Although primordial nucleosynthesis in this model follows the standard scenario it does not require the density of baryonic matter to be well below the critical density as in standard cosmology. The model predicts a present vacuum energy comparable with the matter energy. Its predictions for the classical low red-shift cosmological tests agree with the standard flat model results.     

A Non-Singular Universe with Vacuum Energy

A model for the universe based on the back-reaction effects of quantum fields at finite temperature in the background of Robertson-Walker spacetime and in the presence of a non-zero cosmological constant is constructed. We discuss the vacuum regime in the light of the results obtained through previous studies of the back-reaction of massless quantum fields in the static Einstein universe, and we argue that an adiabatic vacuum state and thermal equilibrium is achieved throughout this regime. Critical density is maintained naturally from the very early stages as a consequence of back-reaction effect of the vacuum fluctuations of quantum fields. Results show that such a model can explain many features of the early universe as well as the present universe. The model is free from the basic problems of the standard Friedmann cosmology, and is non-singular but involves a continuous creation of energy at a rate proportional to the size of the universe, which is lower than that suggested by the steady-state cosmology.     

A dynamical approach to the cosmological constant

This Letter presents an exact analytic solution of a simple cosmological model in presence of both nonrelativistic matter and scalar field where Einstein's cosmological constant Λ appears as an integration constant. Unlike Einstein's cosmological constant ascribed to vacuum energy, the dark energy density and the energy density of the ordinary matter decrease at the same rate during the expansion of the universe. Therefore the model is free of the coincidence problem. Comparing the predictions using this model with the current cosmological observations shows that the results are consistent.     

Bianchi Type-V Dark Energy Model with Varying EoS Parameter

Within the scope of an anisotropic Bianchi type-V cosmological model we have studied the evolution of the universe. The assumption of a diagonal energy-momentum tensor leads to some severe restriction on the metric functions, which on its part imposes restriction on the components of the energy momentum tensor. This model allows anisotropic matter distribution. Further using the proportionality condition that relates the shear scalar (σ) in the model with the expansion scalar (?) and the variation law of Hubble parameter, connecting Hubble parameter with volume scale. Exact solution to the corresponding equations are obtained. The EoS parameter for dark energy as well as deceleration parameter is found to be the time varying functions. A qualitative picture of the evolution of the universe corresponding to different of its stages is given using the latest observational data.     

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.     

The Decay of Massive Scalar Field in Non-Static Gödel Type Universe with Viscous Fluid and Heat Flow

In this study, we have investigated the dynamics of non-static Gödel type rotating universe with massive scalar field, viscous fluid and heat flow in the presence of cosmological constant. For various cosmic matter forms, the behavior of the cosmological constant (Λ), shear (η) and bulk (ξ) viscosity coefficients and other kinematic quantities have studied in the early universe. We have showed the decay of massive scalar field in the non-static rotating Gödel type universe and we have obtained constant scalar field with and without source density. Also, we have investigated the effects of massive scalar field on the matter density and pressure. From solutions of the field equations, we have a cosmological model with non-zero expansion, shear, heat flux and rotation. Also some physical and geometrical aspects of the model discussed.     

Cosmological Model Based on Gauge Theory of Gravity

A cosmological model based on gauge theory of gravity is proposed in this paper. Combining cosmological principle and field equation of gravitational gauge field, dynamical equations of the scale factor R(t) of our universe can be obtained. This set of equations has three different solutions. A prediction of the present model is that, if the energy density of the universe is not zero and the universe is expanding, the universe must be space-flat, the total energy density must be the critical density ρ_c of the universe. For space-flat case, this model gives the same solution as that of the Friedmann model. In other words, though they have different dynamics of gravitational interactions, general relativity and gauge theory of gravity give the same cosmological model.