Higher-order theories of gravity matched with large-scale structure and cosmological observations

The so-called f(R)-gravity could, in principle, explain the accelerated expansion of the Universe without adding unknown forms of dark energy/dark matter, but more simply extending the general relativity by generic functions of the Ricci scalar. However, as a part of several phenomenological models, there is no final f(R)-theory capable of fitting all the observations and addressing all the issues related to the presence of dark energy and dark matter. Astrophysical observations are pointing out huge amounts of “dark matter” and “dark energy” needed to explain the observed large-scale structures and cosmic accelerating expansion. Up to now, no experimental evidence has been found, at a fundamental level, to explain such mysterious components. The problem could be completely reversed considering dark matter and dark energy as “shortcomings” of general relativity.     

Reconstruction of some cosmological models in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) cosmology

In this paper, we reconstruct cosmological models in the framework of f(R,T) gravity, where R is the Ricci scalar and T is the trace of the stress-energy tensor. We show that the dust fluid reproduces ΛCDM, phantom–non-phantom era and phantom cosmology. Further, we reconstruct different cosmological models, including the Chaplygin gas, and scalar field with some specific forms of f(R,T). Our numerical simulation for the Hubble parameter shows good agreement with the BAO observational data for low redshifts, z<2.     

Scale Transformation,Modified Gravity,and Brans-Dicke Theory

A model of Einstein-Hilbert action subject to the scale transformation is studied. By introducing a dilaton field as a means of scale transformation a new action is obtained whose Einstein field equations are consistent with traceless matter with non-vanishing modified terms together with dynamical cosmological and gravitational coupling terms. The obtained modified Einstein equations are neither those in f(R) metric formalism nor the ones in f(ℛ) Palatini formalism, whereas the modified source terms are formally equivalent to those of f(R)=\frac12R²f({\mathcal{R}})=\frac{1}{2}{\mathcal{R}}^{2} gravity in Palatini formalism. The correspondence between the present model, the modified gravity theory, and Brans-Dicke theory with w = -\frac32\omega=-\frac{3}{2} is explicitly shown, provided the dilaton field is condensated to its vacuum state.     

Modified <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>) gravity models with curvature–matter coupling

A modified f(G) gravity model with coupling between matter and geometry is proposed, which is described by the product of the Lagrange density of the matter and an arbitrary function of the Gauss–Bonnet term. The field equations and the equations of motion corresponding to this model show the non-conservation of the energy-momentum tensor, the presence of an extra force acting on test particles and non-geodesic motion. Moreover, the energy conditions and the stability criterion at the de Sitter point in modified f(G) gravity models with curvature–matter coupling are derived, which can degenerate to the well-known energy conditions in general relativity. Furthermore, in order to get some insight in the meaning of these energy conditions, we apply them to the specific models of f(G) gravity and the corresponding constraints on the models are given. In addition, the conditions and the candidate for late-time cosmic accelerated expansion in modified f(G) gravity are studied by means of conditions of power-law expansion and the equation of state of matter ω smaller than -\frac13-\frac{1}{3}.     

Conditions and instability in f(R) gravity with non-minimal coupling between matter and geometry

In this paper, on the basis of the generalized f(R) gravity model with arbitrary coupling between geometry and matter, four classes of f(R) gravity models with non-minimal coupling between geometry and matter will be studied. By means of conditions of power-law expansion and the equation of state of matter less than ?1/3, the relationship among p, w and n, the conditions and the candidate for late-time cosmic accelerated expansion will be discussed in the four classes of f(R) gravity models with non-minimal coupling. Furthermore, in order to keep to considering models that are realistic ones, the Dolgov–Kawasaki instability will be investigated in each of them.     

Bianchi type-I cosmology in f(R,T) gravity

We investigate the exact solutions of a Bianchi type-I space-time in the context of f(R, T) gravity [1], where f(R, T) is an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R and the trace of the energy-momentum tensor T. For this purpose, we find two exact solutions using the assumption of a constant deceleration parameter and the variation law of the Hubble parameter. The obtained solutions correspond to two different models of the Universe. The physical behavior of these models is also discussed.     

Modified <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity from scalar–tensor theory and inhomogeneous EoS dark energy

The reconstruction of f (R)-gravity is showed by using an auxiliary scalar field in the context of cosmological evolution, this development provides a way to reconstruct the form of the function f (R) for a given evolution of the Hubble parameter. In analogy, f (R)-gravity may be expressed by a perfect fluid with an inhomogeneous equation of state (EoS) that depends on the Hubble parameter and its derivatives. This mathematical equivalence that may confuse about the origin of the mechanism that produces the current acceleration, and possibly the whole evolution of the Hubble parameter, is shown here.     

Bianchi Type-II Dark Energy Model in f(R,T) Gravity

The spatially homogeneous and totally anisotropic Bianchi Type-II space-time dark energy model with EoS parameter is considered in the presence of a perfect fluid source in the framework of f(R,T) gravity proposed by Harko et al. (Phys. Rev. D, 84:024020, 2011). With the help of special law of variation for Hubble’s parameter proposed by Berman (Nuovo Cimento B, 74:182, 1983) a dark energy cosmological model is obtained in this theory. We consider f(R,T) model and investigate the modification R+f(T) in Bianchi type-II cosmology with an appropriate choice of a function f(T)=λT. We use the power law relation between average Hubble parameter H and average scale factor R to find the solution. The assumption of constant deceleration parameter leads to two models of universe, i.e. power law model and exponential model. Some physical and kinematical properties of the model are also discussed.     

A note on energy-momentum conservation in Palatini formulation of L(R) gravity

By establishing that Palatini formulation of L(R) gravity is equivalent to ω=−3/2 Brans-Dicke theory, we show that energy-momentum tensor is covariantly conserved in this type of modified gravity theory.     

Generalized holographic and Ricci dark energy models

In this paper, we consider generalized holographic and Ricci dark energy models where the energy densities are given as ρ _R =3c ² M _pl² Rf(H ²/R) and ρ _h =3c ² M _pl² H ² g(R/H ²), respectively; here f(x), g(y) are positive defined functions of the dimensionless variables H ²/R or R/H ². It is interesting that holographic and Ricci dark energy densities are recovered or recovered interchangeably when the function f(x)=g(y)≡1 or f(x)=Id and g(y)=Id are taken, respectively (for example f(x),g(x)=1−ε(1−x), ε=0or1, respectively). Also, when f(x)≡xg(1/x) is taken, the Ricci and holographic dark energy models are equivalent to a generalized one. When the simple forms f(x)=1−ε(1−x) and g(y)=1−η(1−y) are taken as examples, by using current cosmic observational data, generalized dark energy models are considered. As expected, in these cases, the results show that they are equivalent (ε=1−η=1.312), and Ricci-like dark energy is more favored relative to the holographic one where the Hubble horizon was taken as an IR cut-off. And the suggested combination of holographic and Ricci dark energy components would be 1.312R−0.312H ², which is 2.312H²+1.312[(H)\dot]2.312H^{2}+1.312\dot{H} in terms of H ² and [(H)\dot]\dot{H} .     

Spherical Symmetric Solution in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) Model Around Charged Black Hole

A static, asymptotically flat, spherically symmetric solutions is investigated in f(R) theories of gravity for a charged black hole. We have studied the weak field limit of f(R) gravity for the some f(R) model such as f(R)=R+ε h(R). In particular, we consider the case lim  _R→0 h(R)/h′(R)→0 and find the space time metric for f(R)=R+[(m⁴)/(R)]f(R)=R+{\mu^{4}\over R} and f(R)=R ^1+ε theories of gravity far away a charged mass point.     

Gravitational lensing and <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) theories in the Palatini approach

We investigate gravitational lensing in the Palatini approach to the f (R) extended theories of gravity. Starting from an exact solution of the f (R) field equations, which corresponds to the Schwarzschild–de Sitter metric and, on the basis of recent studies on this metric, we focus on some lensing observables, in order to evaluate the effects of the nonlinearity of the gravity Lagrangian. We give estimates for some astrophysical events, and show that these effects are tiny for galactic lenses, but become interesting for extragalactic ones.     

Does entropic force always imply the Newtonian force law?

We investigate propagations of graviton and additional scalar on four-dimensional anti-de Sitter (AdS₄) space using f(R) gravity models with external sources. It is shown that there is the van Dam–Veltman–Zakharov (vDVZ) discontinuity in f(R) gravity models because f(R) gravity implies GR with additional scalar. This clearly indicates a difference between general relativity and f(R) gravity.     

Bianchi V cosmological model in Palatini <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

We apply the dynamical systems approach to investigate the spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type V models for the Palatini version of f(R) gravity. In particular, we examine the existence of equilibrium points along with their exact solutions and stability properties for two different forms of f(R). Moreover, the evolution of shear and spatial curvature by performing the phase space analysis are studied and also the phases of evolution from anisotropic universe to the stable de-Sitter flat universe are discussed.     

Cosmological Consequences of Scale-Related Comoving Masses for Cosmic Pressure, Mass, and Vacuum Energy Density

According to ideas of Mach, Whitrow, Dirac, or Hoyle, inertial masses of particles should not be a genuine, predetermined quantity; rather they should represent a relational quantity which by its value somehow reflects the deposition and constellation of all other objects in their cosmic environment. In this paper we want to pick up suggestions given by Thirring and by Hoyle of how, due to requirements of the equivalence of rotations and of general relativistic conformal scale invariance, the particle masses of cosmic objects should vary with the cosmic length scale. We study cosmological consequences of comoving cosmic masses which co-evolve by mass with the expansion of the universe. The vanishing of the covariant divergence of the cosmic energy-momentum tensor under the new prerequisite that matter density only falls off with the reciproke of the squared cosmic scale S(t) then leads to the astonishing result that cosmic pressuredoes not fall off adiabatically but rather falls off in a quasi-isothermal behaviour, varying with S(t) as matter density does. Hence, as a new cosmological fact, it arises that, even in the late phases of cosmic expansion, pressure cannot be neglected what concerns its gravitational action on the cosmic dynamics. We then show that under these conditions the cosmological equations can, however, only be solved if, in addition to matter, also pressure and energy density of the cosmic vacuum are included in the calculation. An unaccelerated expansion with a Hubble parameter falling off with S(t)⁻¹ is obtained for a vacuum energy density decay according to S(t)⁻² with a well-tuned proportion of matter and vacuum pressures. As it appears from these results, a universe with particle masses increasing with the cosmic sale S(t) is in fact physically conceivable in an energetically consistent manner, if vacuum energy at the expansion of the universe is converted into mass density of real matter with no net energy loss occuring. This universe in addition also happens to be an economical one which has and keeps a vanishing total energy.     

Static spherically symmetric solution of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis> ± <Emphasis Type="Italic">μ</Emphasis><Superscript>4</Superscript>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

The static spherically symmetric solution for R ± μ ⁴/R model of f(R) gravity is investigated. We obtain the metric for space-time in the solar system that reduces to the Schwarzschild metric, when μ tends to zero. For the obtained metric, the deviation from Einstein gravity is very small. This result is different from the other results have been obtained by equivalence between f(R) gravity and scalar tensor theory. Also it is shown that the vacuum solution in the solar system depends on the shape of matter distribution which differ from the Einstein’s gravity.     

On the Poisson Limit Theorems of Sinai and Major

Let f(ϕ) be a positive continuous function on 0 ≤ϕ≤Θ, where Θ≤ 2 π, and let ξ be the number of two-dimensional lattice points in the domain Π _R (f) between the curves r=(R+c ₁/R)f(ϕ) and r=(R+c ₂/R)f(ϕ), where c ₁<c ₂ are fixed. Randomizing the function f according to a probability law P, and the parameter R according to the uniform distribution μ _L on the interval [a ₁ L,a ₂ L], Sinai showed that the distribution of ξ under P×μ _L converges to a mixture of the Poisson distributions as L→∞. Later Major showed that for P-almost all f, the distribution of ξ under μ _L converges to a Poisson distribution as L→∞. In this note, we shall give shorter and more transparent proofs to these interesting theorems, at the same time extending the class of P and strengthening the statement of Sinai. Received: 15 June 1999 / Accepted: 11 February 2000     

Disappearing cosmological constant in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

For higher-derivative f(R) gravity, where R is the Ricci scalar, a class of models is proposed, which produce viable cosmology different from the ACDM at recent times and satisfy cosmological, Solar System, and laboratory tests. These models have both flat and de Sitter spacetimes as particular solutions in the absence of matter. Thus, a cosmological constant is zero in a flat spacetime, but appears effectively in a curved one for sufficiently large R. A “smoking gun” for these models would be a small discrepancy in the values of the slope of the primordial perturbation power spectrum determined from galaxy surveys and CMB fluctuations. On the other hand, a new problem for dark energy models based on f(R) gravity is pointed out, which is connected with the possible overproduction of new massive scalar particles (scalarons) arising in this theory in the very early Universe. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Bianchi Type-II String Cosmological Model with Magnetic Field in f (R,T) Gravity

The spatially homogeneous and totally anisotropic Bianchi type-II cosmological solutions of massive strings have been investigated in the presence of the magnetic field in the framework of f(R,T) gravity proposed by Harko et al. (Phys Rev D 84:024020, 2011). With the help of special law of variation for Hubble^’s parameter proposed by Berman (Nuovo Cimento B 74:182, 1983) cosmological model is obtained in this theory. We consider f(R,T) model and investigate the modification R+f(T) in Bianchi type-II cosmology with an appropriate choice of a function f(T)=μ T. We use the power law relation between average Hubble parameter H and average scale factor R to find the solution. The assumption of constant deceleration parameter leads to two models of universe, i.e. power law model and exponential model. Some physical and kinematical properties of the model are also discussed.     

Bulk Viscous Bianchi Type I Barotropic Fluid Cosmological Model with Varying <Emphasis Type="Bold">Λ</Emphasis> and Functional Relation on Hubble Parameter

Bianchi Type I bulk viscous barotropic fluid cosmological with varying Λ is investigated. We have also assumed a functional relation on Hubble parameter as H(R)=a(R ⁻ⁿ +1), n>1, a>0, H the Hubble constant, R being scale factor and H = [(R)\dot]/RH = \dot{R}/R. The physical and geometrical aspects of the model related with astronomical observations are discussed.