Dark energy as a mirage

Motivated by the observed cosmic matter distribution, we present the following conjecture: due to the formation of voids and opaque structures, the average matter density on the path of the light from the well-observed objects changes from Ω _M ≃ 1 in the homogeneous early universe to Ω _M ≃ 0 in the clumpy late universe, so that the average expansion rate increases along our line of sight from EdS expansion Ht ≃ 2/3 at high redshifts to free expansion Ht ≃ 1 at low redshifts. To calculate the modified observable distance–redshift relations, we introduce a generalized Dyer–Roeder method that allows for two crucial physical properties of the universe: inhomogeneities in the expansion rate and the growth of the nonlinear structures. By treating the transition redshift to the void-dominated era as a free parameter, we find a phenomenological fit to the observations from the CMB anisotropy, the position of the baryon oscillation peak, the magnitude–redshift relations of type Ia supernovae, the local Hubble flow and the nucleosynthesis, resulting in a concordant model of the universe with 90% dark matter, 10% baryons, no dark energy, 15 Gyr as the age of the universe and a natural value for the transition redshift z ₀ = 0.35. Unlike a large local void, the model respects the cosmological principle, further offering an explanation for the late onset of the perceived acceleration as a consequence of the forming nonlinear structures. Additional tests, such as quantitative predictions for angular deviations due to an anisotropic void distribution and a theoretical derivation of the model, can vindicate or falsify the interpretation that light propagation in voids is responsible for the perceived acceleration.     

Study of Thermodynamic Quantities in Generalized Gravity Theories

In this work, we have studied the thermodynamic quantities like temperature of the universe, heat capacity and squared speed of sound in generalized gravity theories like Brans-Dicke, Hořava-Lifshitz and f(R) gravities. We have considered the universe filled with dark matter and dark energy. Also we have considered the equation of state parameters for open, closed and flat models. We have observed that in all cases the equation of state behaves like quintessence. The temperature and heat capacity of the universe are found to decrease with the expansion of the universe in all cases. In Brans-Dicke and f(R) gravity theories the squared speed of sound is found to exhibit increasing behavior for open, closed and flat models and in Hořava-Lifshitz gravity theory it is found to exhibit decreasing behavior for open and closed models with the evolution of the universe. However, for flat universe, the squared speed of sound remains constant in Hořava-Lifshitz gravity.     

f(R) theories of gravity in the Palatini approach matched with observations

We investigate the viability of f(R) theories in the framework of the Palatini approach as solutions to the problem of the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. Two physically motivated popular choices for f(R) are considered,: power law, f(R) = β R ⁿ , and logarithmic, f(R) = α ln R. Under the Palatini approach, both Lagrangians give rise to cosmological models comprising only standard matter and undergoing a present phase of accelerated expansion. We use the Hubble diagram of type Ia Supernovae and the data on the gas mass fraction in relaxed galaxy clusters to see whether these models are able to reproduce what is observed and to constrain their parameters. It turns out that they are indeed able to fit the data with values of the Hubble constant and of the matter density parameter in agreement with some model independent estimates, but the today deceleration parameter is higher than what is measured in the concordance ΛCDM model.     

Tachyon warm-inflationary universe model in the weakly dissipative regime

The warm-inflationary universe model in a tachyon field theory is studied in the weakly dissipative regime. We develop our model for an exponential potential and the dissipation parameter Γ=Γ ₀=constant. We describe scalar and tensor perturbations for this scenario.     

Coincidence problem in an oscillating universe

We analyze an oscillating universe model in brane world cenario. The oscillating universe cycles through a series of expansions and contractions and its energy density is dominated by dust matter at early-time expansion phase and by phantom dark energy at late-time expansion phase. We find that the period of the oscillating universe is not sensitive to the tension of the brane, but sensitive to the equation-of-state parameter w of the phantom dark energy, and the ratio of the period to the current Hubble age approximately varies from 3 to 9 when the parameter w changes from −1.4 to −1.1. The fraction of time that the oscillating universe spends in the coincidence state is also comparable to the period of the oscillating universe. This result indicates that the coincidence problem can be significantly ameliorated in the oscillating universe without singularity.     

Carmeli's Cosmology Fits Data for an Accelerating and Decelerating Universe Without Dark Matter or Dark Energy

A new relation for the density parameter Ω is derived as a function of expansion velocity υ based on Carmeli's cosmology. This density function is used in the luminosity distance relation D _L. A heretofore neglected source luminosity correction factor (1 − (υ/c)²)^−1/2 is now included in D _L. These relations are used to fit type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) data, giving consistent, well-behaved fits over a broad range of redshift 0.1 < z < 2. The best fit to the data for the local density parameter is Ω_m = 0.0401 ± 0.0199. Because Ω_m is within the baryonic budget there is no need for any dark matter to account for the SNe Ia redshift luminosity data. From this local density it is determined that the redshift where the universe expansion transitions from deceleration to acceleration is z _t = 1.095^+0.264 _−0.155. Because the fitted data covers the range of the predicted transition redshift z _t, there is no need for any dark energy to account for the expansion rate transition. We conclude that the expansion is now accelerating and that the transition from a closed to an open universe occurred about 8.54 Gyr ago.     

Dark energy and viscous cosmology

Singularities in the dark energy universe are discussed, assuming that there is a bulk viscosity in the cosmic fluid. In particular, it is shown how the physically natural assumption of letting the bulk viscosity be proportional to the scalar expansion in a spatially flat FRW universe can drive the fluid into the phantom region (w < −1), even if it lies in the quintessence region (w > −1) in the non-viscous case.     

Interacting entropy-corrected holographic dark energy with apparent horizon as an infrared cutoff

In this work we consider the entropy-corrected version of interacting holographic dark energy (HDE), in the non-flat universe enclosed by apparent horizon. Two corrections of entropy so-called logarithmic ‘LEC’ and power-law ‘PLEC’ in HDE model with apparent horizon as an IR-cutoff are studied. The ratio of dark matter to dark energy densities u, equation of state parameter w _D and deceleration parameter q are obtained. We show that the cosmic coincidence problem is solved for interacting models. By studying the effect of interaction in EoS parameter of both models, we see that the phantom divide may be crossed and also understand that the interacting models can drive an acceleration expansion at the present and future, while in non-interacting case, this expansion can happen only at the early time. The graphs of deceleration parameter for interacting models, show that the present acceleration expansion is preceded by a sufficiently long period deceleration at past. Moreover, the thermodynamical interpretation of interaction between LECHDE and dark matter is described. We obtain a relation between the interaction term of dark components and thermal fluctuation in a non-flat universe, bounded by the apparent horizon. In limiting case, for ordinary HDE, the relation of interaction term versus thermal fluctuation is also calculated.     

Exponential Potentials and Attractor Solution of Dilatonic Cosmology

We present the scalar-tensor gravitational theory with an exponential potential in which Pauli metric is regarded as the physical space-time metric. We show that it is essentially equivalent to coupled quintessence (CQ) model. However for baryotropic fluid being radiation there are in fact no coupling between dilatonic scalar field and radiation. We present the critical points for baryotropic fluid and investigate the properties of critical points when the baryotropic matter is specified to ordinary matter. It is possible for all the critical points to be attractors as long as the parameters λ and β satisfy certain conditions. To demonstrate the attractor behaviors of these critical points, We numerically plot the phase plane for each critical point. Finally with the bound on β from the observation and the fact that our universe is undergoing an accelerating expansion, we conclude that present accelerating expansion is not the eventual stage of universe. Moreover, we numerically describe the evolution of the density parameters Ω and the decelerating factor q, and computer the present values of some cosmological parameters, which are consistent with current observational data.     

Early Universe in Scalar-Tensor Theory

We consider the flat Robertson–Walker model in scalar-tensor theory proposed by Lau and Prokhovnik. In this model, the field equations are solved by using “gamma-law” form of equation of state p=(γ−1)ρ, where the adiabatic parameter ‘gamma’ (γ) varies continuously as the universe expands. Our aim is to study how the adiabatic parameter γ should vary so that in the course of its evolution the universe goes through a transition from an inflationary to a radiation-dominated phase. A unified one parameter function of γ has been considered to describe the two early phases of evolution of universe. The solutions show the power-law expansion and cosmological constant is found to be positive and decreasing function of cosmic time. The solutions are compatible with the Dirac’s large number hypothesis. The deceleration parameter has been presented in a unified manner in terms of scale factor, which describes the inflation of the model. The nature of singularity and the physical properties have been discussed in details.     

Viscous Fluid Cosmology in Bianchi Type-I Space-Time

The paper presents a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type-I cosmological model consisting of a dissipative fluid. The field equations are solved explicitly by using a law of variation for mean Hubble parameter, which is related to average scale factor and yields a constant value for deceleration parameter. We find that the constant value of deceleration parameter describes the different phases of the evolution of universe. A barotropic equation of state (p=γ ρ) together with a linear relation between shear viscosity and expansion scalar, is assumed. It is found that the viscosity plays a key role in the process of the isotropization of the universe. The presence of viscous term does not change the fundamental nature of initial singularity. The thermodynamical properties of the solutions are studied and the entropy distribution is also given explicitly.     

LRS Bianchi Type II Bulk Viscous Fluid Universe with?Decaying Vacuum Energy Density Λ

The present study deals with spatially homogeneous and locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type II cosmological models with bulk viscous fluid distribution of matter and decaying vacuum energy density Λ. To get the deterministic models of the universe, we assume that the expansion (θ) in the model is proportional to the shear (σ). This leads to condition R=mS ⁿ , where R and S are metric potentials, m and n are constants. We have obtained two types of models of the universe for two different values of n. The vacuum energy density Λ for both models is found to be a decreasing function of time and it approaches a small positive value at late time which is supported by recent results from the observations of (SN Ia). Some physical and geometric behaviour of these models are also discussed.     

Inflationary Scenario in Bianchi Type I Space-Time

Inflationary scenario in Bianchi Type I space-time is discussed. To get the deterministic model of the universe, it has been considered that the energy-momentum tensor of particles ∼T ⁴, almost vanishes in the course of expansion of universe and total energy-momentum tensor reduces to vacuum stress tensor. This leads to a∼e ^Ht where a is scale factor and H the Hubble constant and effective potential V(φ)=constant where φ is Higg’s field and n is a constant. The physical and geometrical aspects of the model in the context of inflationary scenario are also discussed.     

Bianchi type III models with anisotropic dark energy

The general form of the anisotropy parameter of the expansion for Bianchi type-III metric is obtained in the presence of a single diagonal imperfect fluid with a dynamically anisotropic equation of state parameter and a dynamical energy density in general relativity. A special law is assumed for the anisotropy of the fluid which reduces the anisotropy parameter of the expansion to a simple form (D μ H^-2V^-2{\Delta\propto H^{-2}V^{-2}}, where Δ is the anisotropy parameter, H is the mean Hubble parameter and V is the volume of the universe). The exact solutions of the Einstein field equations, under the assumption on the anisotropy of the fluid, are obtained for exponential and power-law volumetric expansions. The isotropy of the fluid, space and expansion are examined. It is observed that the universe can approach to isotropy monotonically even in the presence of an anisotropic fluid. The anisotropy of the fluid also isotropizes at later times for accelerating models and evolves into the well-known cosmological constant in the model for exponential volumetric expansion.     

Phantom Appearance of Non-phantom Matter in Anisotropic Cosmological Model

Two cosmological models with non-phantom matter having the same expansion of the universe as phantom cosmologies are constructed in anisotropic Bianchi type-V universe. The exact solutions to the corresponding Einstein field equations have been obtained. The statefinder diagnostic pair i.e. {r,s} parameters have been obtained for disordered radiation i.e. γ=1/3. We have also discussed the well-known astrophysical phenomena, namely the look-back time, luminosity distance and event horizon with redshift.     

LRS Bianchi Type II Perfect Fluid Cosmological Models in Normal Gauge for Lyra’s Manifold

The present study deals with spatially homogeneous and locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type II cosmological models of perfect fluid distribution of matter for the field equations in normal gauge for Lyra’s manifold where gauge function β is taken as time dependent. To get the deterministic models of the universe, we assume that the expansion (θ) in the model is proportional to the shear (σ). This leads to condition R=mS ⁿ , where R and S are metric potentials, m and n are constants. We have obtained two types of models of the universe for two different values of n. It has been found that the displacement vector β behaves like cosmological term Λ in the normal gauge treatment and the solutions are consistent with recent observations. Some physical and geometric behavior of these models are also discussed.     

The Complex Symmetry Gravitational Theory as a New Alternative of Dark Energy

We propose that complex symmetry gravitational theory (CSGT) explain the accelerating expansion of universe. In this paper, universe is taken as the double complex symmetric space. Cosmological solution is obtained within CSGT. The conditions of the accelerating expansion of universe are discussed within CSGT. Moreover, the range of equation of state of matter ω_ε is given in the hyperbolic imaginary space. PACS: 98.80Es, 04.20Fy     

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 Extra Dimension and Acceleration of the Universe

We study a five dimensional FLRW type Kaluza-Klein cosmological model with static extra dimension. Accelerated expansion is found by assuming a linear relationship p _b =mp _a between pressures ‘p _a ’ corresponding to the usual four dimension, and ‘p _b ’ corresponding to the extra dimension. The field equations are obtained and solved, for different values of m, to analyse the cosmological consequences of the present model. It is found that m has the value between 2 and 3 to match with the present observational findings for the accelerated expansion of the universe.     

Magnetized Bianchi Type III String Universe with Time Decaying Vacuum Energy Density Λ

Exact solution of Einstein’s field equations is obtained for massive string cosmological model of Bianchi III space-time using the technique given by Letelier (Phys. Rev. D 28:2414, 1983) in presence of perfect fluid and decaying vacuum energy density Λ. To get the deterministic solution of the field equations the expansion θ in the model is considered as proportional to the eigen value s² ₂\sigma^{2}_{~2} of the shear tensor s^j _i\sigma^{j}_{~i} and also the fluid obeys the barotropic equation of state. It is observed that the particle density and the tension density of the string are comparable at the two ends and they fall off asymptotically at similar rate. But in early stage as well as at the late time of the evolution of the universe we have two types of scenario (i) universe is dominated by massive strings and (ii) universe is dominated by strings depending on the nature of the two constants L and ℓ. The value of cosmological constant Λ for the model is found to be small and positive which is supported by the results from recent supernovae Ia observations. Some physical and geometric properties of the model are also discussed.