Extended theories of gravity and their cosmological and astrophysical applications

Astrophysical observations are pointing out huge amounts of “dark matter” and “dark energy” needed to explain the observed large scale structure and cosmic dynamics. The emerging picture is a spatially flat, homogeneous Universe undergoing the today observed accelerated phase. Despite of the good quality of astrophysical surveys, commonly addressed as Precision Cosmology, the nature and the nurture of dark energy and dark matter, which should constitute the bulk of cosmological matter-energy, are still unknown. Furthermore, up to now, no experimental evidence has been found, at fundamental level, to explain such mysterious components. The problem could be completely reversed considering dark matter and dark energy as “shortcomings” of General Relativity in its simplest formulation (a linear theory in the Ricci scalar R, minimally coupled to the standard perfect fluid matter) and claiming for the “correct” theory of gravity as that derived by matching the largest number of observational data, without imposing any theory a priori. As a working hypothesis, accelerating behavior of cosmic fluid, large scale structure, potential of galaxy clusters, rotation curves of spiral galaxies could be reproduced by means of extending the standard theory of General Relativity. In other words, gravity could acts in different ways at different scales and the above “shortcomings” could be due to incorrect extrapolations of the Einstein gravity, actually tested at short scales and low energy regimes. After a survey of what is intended for Extended Theories of Gravity in the so called “metric” and “Palatini” approaches, we discuss some cosmological and astrophysical applications where the issues related to the dark components are addressed by enlarging the Einstein theory to more general f (R) Lagrangians, where f (R) is a generic function of Ricci scalar R, not assumed simply linear. Obviously, this is not the final answer to the problem of “dark-components” but it can be considered as an operative scheme whose aim is to avoid the addition of unknown exotic ingredients to the cosmic pie.     

Birkhoff’s theorem in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) gravity

Generalized from the so-called teleparallel gravity, which is exactly equivalent to general relativity, f(T) gravity has been proposed as an alternative gravity model to account for the dark energy phenomena. In this letter we prove that the external vacuum gravitational field for a spherically symmetric distribution of source matter in the f(T) gravity framework must be static. The conclusion is independent of the radial distribution and spherically symmetric motion of the source matter, that is, whether it is in motion or static. As a consequence, the Birkhoff’s theorem is valid in the general nonsingular f(T) theory at the un-perturbative level. We also discuss its application in the de Sitter spacetime evolution phase as preferred by present dark energy observations.     

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.     

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}.     

Hydrodynamic vacuum sources of dark matter self-generation in an accelerating universe without a Big Bang

We have obtained a generalization of the hydrodynamic theory of vacuum in the context of general relativity. While retaining the Lagrangian character of general relativity, the new theory provides a natural alternative to the view that the singularity is inevitable in general relativity and the theory of a hot Universe. We show that the macroscopic source-sink motion as a whole of ordinary (dark) matter that emerges during the production of particles out of the vacuum can be a new source of gravitational vacuum polarization (determining the variability of the cosmological term in general relativity). We have removed the well-known problems of the cosmological constant by refining the physical nature of dark energy associated precisely with this hydrodynamically initiated variability of the vacuum energy density. A new exact solution of the modified general relativity equations that contains no free (fitting) parameter additional to those available in general relativity has been obtained. It corresponds to the continuous and metric-affecting production of ultralight dark matter particles (with mass m ₀ = (ħ/c ²) $ \sqrt {12\rho _0 k} $ \sqrt {12\rho _0 k} ≈ 3 × 10⁻⁶⁶ g, k is the gravitational constant) out of the vacuum, with its density ρ₀, constant during the exponential expansion of a spatially flat Universe, being retained. This solution is shown to be stable in the regime of cosmological expansion in the time interval −∞ < t < t _max, when t = 0 corresponds to the present epoch and t _max= 2/3H ₀ cΩ_0m ≈ 38 × 10⁹ yr at Ω_0m = ρ₀/ρ_c ≈ 0.28 (H ₀ is the Hubble constant, ρ_c is the critical density). For t > t _max, the solution becomes exponentially unstable and characterizes the inverse process of dark matter particle absorption by the vacuum in the regime of contraction of the Universe. We consider the admissibility of the fact that scalar massive photon pairs can be these dark matter particles. Good quantitative agreement of this exact solution with the cosmological observations of SnIa, SDSS-BAO, and the decrease in the acceleration of the expansion of the Universe has been obtained.     

Might Dark Matter and Energy be Intrinsic Properties of?Space?

It is shown that if a volume element V, of space is assumed to have intrinsic energy E, then basic principles of mechanics, thermodynamics and special relativity lead to the equation of state: E=pV, where p is the pressure. When this equation of state is incorporated in the Einstein equations it leads to the prediction that the orbital speed of matter circling a visible galaxy embedded in a spherical galactic halo should be relativistic, in disagreement with observations. However, it also leads directly to the interesting notion that the inertial mass of such a medium can be understood as a resistance to being compressed via Lorentz contraction. It is then shown that the mathematical structure of thermodynamics suggests another plausible definition of pressure if we allow for the possibility that the intrinsic energy of spacetime may not be described by the same work-energy relationship as ordinary matter. This additional possibility leads to the equation of state: E=−pV. While both of these equations of state describe forms of energy that are quite unlike ordinary energy, neither alone is able to account for observed rotational velocity curves of matter orbiting visible galaxies. Therefore, the possibility that space has two distinct components of energy is investigated. This results in a plausible, two-component equation of state in which the former equation of state is tentatively identified as the “dark matter” (DM) component, the latter as the “dark energy” (DE) component. The effective equation of state of space, accounting for the presence of both components, may then be written in the form: p=w ε, where ε is the total energy density, p the total pressure, and w represents the fractional excess of DM over DE (and therefore satisfies: −1≤w≤+1). Given the wide range of possible spacetime properties implied by this equation it appears to be a viable candidate for explaining observations presently attributed to the presence of both DM and DE. Specifically, the static, spherically symmetric solution of Einstein’s field equations, neglecting effects of ordinary matter, predicts the inverse r ² distribution of intrinsic space energy required to explain observed constant rotational velocity curves for matter in circular orbits around visible galaxies embedded within spherically symmetric galactic halos. The proposed equation of state is also capable of describing regions of space undergoing accelerated expansion as regions where DE is dominant (i.e., w<−1/3).     

Equations of state in the Brans–Dicke cosmology

We investigate the Brans–Dicke (BD) theory with the potential as cosmological model to explain the present accelerating universe. In this work, we consider the BD field as a perfect fluid with the energy density and pressure in the Jordan frame. Introducing the power-law potential and the interaction with the cold dark matter, we obtain the phantom divide which is confirmed by the native and effective equation of state. Also we can describe the metric f(R) gravity with an appropriate potential, which shows a future crossing of the phantom divide in viable f(R) gravity models when employing the native and effective equations of state.     

Curvature Inspired Cosmological Scenario

Using modified gravity with non-linear terms of curvature, R ² and R ^(2+r) (with r being a positive real number and R being the scalar curvature), cosmological scenario, beginning at the Planck scale, is obtained. Here a unified picture of cosmology is obtained from f(R)-gravity. In this scenario, universe begins with power-law inflation followed by deceleration and acceleration in the late universe as well as possible collapse of the universe in future. It is different from f(R)-dark energy models with non-linear curvature terms assumed as dark energy. Here, dark energy terms are induced by linear as well as non-linear terms of curvature in Friedmann equation being derived from modified gravity. It is also interesting to see that, in this model, dark radiation and dark matter terms emerge spontaneously from the gravitational sector. It is found that dark energy, obtained here, behaves as quintessence in the early universe and phantom in the late universe. Moreover, analogous to brane-tension in brane-gravity inspired Friedmann equation, a tension term λ arises here being called as cosmic tension, It is found that, in the late universe, Friedmann equation (obtained here) contains a term −ρ ²/2λ (ρ being the phantom energy density) analogous to a similar term in Friedmann equation with loop quantum effects, if λ>0 and brane-gravity correction when λ<0.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Interacting agegraphic dark energy

A new dark energy model, named “agegraphic dark energy”, has been proposed recently, based on the so-called Károlyházy uncertainty relation, which arises from quantum mechanics together with general relativity. In this note, we extend the original agegraphic dark energy model by including the interaction between agegraphic dark energy and pressureless (dark) matter. In the interacting agegraphic dark energy model, there are many interesting features different from the original agegraphic dark energy model and holographic dark energy model. The similarity and difference between agegraphic dark energy and holographic dark energy are also discussed.     

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} .     

Probing the dark matter issue in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-gravity via gravitational lensing

For a general class of analytic f(R)-gravity theories, we discuss the weak field limit in view of gravitational lensing. Though an additional Yukawa term in the gravitational potential modifies dynamics with respect to the standard Newtonian limit of General Relativity, the motion of massless particles results unaffected thanks to suitable cancellations in the post-Newtonian limit. Thus, all the lensing observables are equal to the ones known from General Relativity. Since f(R)-gravity is claimed, among other things, to be a possible solution to overcome for the need of dark matter in virialized systems, we discuss the impact of our results on the dynamical and gravitational lensing analyses. In this framework, dynamics could, in principle, be able to reproduce the astrophysical observations without recurring to dark matter, but in the case of gravitational lensing we find that dark matter is an unavoidable ingredient. Another important implication is that gravitational lensing, in the post-Newtonian limit, is not able to constrain these extended theories, since their predictions do not differ from General Relativity.     

Cosmology

Precise astronomical observations of the cosmic expansion and the anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background have confirmed the simple cosmological “big bang” models. They have also produced evidence for a strange composition of the cosmic matter and energy density. The known baryons contribute only 5 percent to the cosmic substrate, while 25 percent are due to unknown dark matter particles, and 70 percent seem to come from a mysterious dark energy component which presently acts like a cosmological constant accelerating the cosmic expansion.     

Dilaton Dark Energy Model in f(R), f(T) and Ho?ava-Lifshitz Gravities

In this work, we have considered dilaton dark energy model in Weyl-scaled induced gravitational theory in presence of barotropic fluid. It is to be noted that the dilaton field behaves as a quintessence. Here we have discussed the role of dilaton dark energy in modified gravity theories, namely f(R),f(T) and Hořava-Lifshitz gravities and analyzed the behavior of the dilaton field and the corresponding potential in respect to these modified gravity theories instead of Einstein’s gravity. In f(R) and f(T) gravities, we have considered some particular forms of f(R) and f(T) and we have shown that the potentials always increase with the dilaton fields. But in Hořava-Lifshitz gravity, it has been seen that the potential always decreases as dilation field increases.     

Reconstruction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) gravity according to holographic dark energy

We develop the reconstruction of the f(T) gravity model according to the holographic dark energy. T is the torsion scalar and its initial value from the teleparallel gravity is imposed for fitting the initial value of the function f(T). The evolutionary nature of the holographic dark energy is essentially based on two important parameters, Ω _V  and ω _V , respectively, the dimensionless dark energy and the parameter of the equation of state, related to the holographic dark energy. The result shows a polynomial function for f(T), and we also observe that, when Ω _V →1 at the future time, ω _V may cross −1 for some values of the input parameter b. Another interesting aspect of the obtained model is that it provides a unification scenario of dark matter with dark energy.     

Genesis of Dark Energy: Dark Energy as Consequence of Release and Two-Stage Tracking of Cosmological Nuclear Energy

Recent observations on Type-Ia supernovae and low density (Ω _m =0.3) measurement of matter including dark matter suggest that the present-day universe consists mainly of repulsive-gravity type ‘exotic matter’ with negative-pressure often said ‘dark energy’ (Ω _x =0.7). But the nature of dark energy is mysterious and its puzzling questions, such as why, how, where and when about the dark energy, are intriguing. In the present paper the authors attempt to answer these questions while making an effort to reveal the genesis of dark energy and suggest that ‘the cosmological nuclear binding energy liberated during primordial nucleo-synthesis remains trapped for a long time and then is released free which manifests itself as dark energy in the universe’. It is also explained why for dark energy the parameter w=-\frac23w=-\frac{2}{3} . Noting that w=1 for stiff matter and w=\frac13w=\frac{1}{3} for radiation; w=-\frac23w=-\frac{2}{3} is for dark energy because “−1” is due to ‘deficiency of stiff-nuclear-matter’ and that this binding energy is ultimately released as ‘radiation’ contributing “ +\frac13+\frac{1}{3} ”, making w=-1+\frac13=-\frac23w=-1+\frac{1}{3}=-\frac{2}{3} . When dark energy is released free at Z=80, w=-\frac23w=-\frac{2}{3} . But as on present day at Z=0 when the radiation-strength-fraction (δ), has diminished to δ→0, the w=-1+d\frac13=-1w=-1+\delta\frac{1}{3}=-1 . This, almost solves the dark-energy mystery of negative pressure and repulsive-gravity. The proposed theory makes several estimates/predictions which agree reasonably well with the astrophysical constraints and observations. Though there are many candidate-theories, the proposed model of this paper presents an entirely new approach (cosmological nuclear energy) as a possible candidate for dark energy.     

Interacting ghost dark energy in non-flat universe

A new dark energy model called “ghost dark energy” was recently suggested to explain the observed accelerating expansion of the universe. This model originates from the Veneziano ghost of QCD. The dark energy density is proportional to Hubble parameter, ρ _D  = α H, where α is a constant of order L_QCD³{\Lambda_{\rm QCD}^3} and Λ_QCD ~ 100 MeV is QCD mass scale. In this Letter, we extend the ghost dark energy model to the universe with spatial curvature in the presence of interaction between dark matter and dark energy. We study cosmological implications of this model in detail. In the absence of interaction the equation of state parameter of ghost dark energy is always w _D > −1 and mimics a cosmological constant in the late time, while it is possible to have w _D < −1 provided the interaction is taken into account. When k = 0, all previous results of ghost dark energy in flat universe are recovered. For the observational test, we use Supernova type Ia Gold sample, shift parameter of cosmic microwave background radiation and the correlation of acoustic oscillation on the last scattering surface and the baryonic acoustic peak from Sloan Digital Sky Survey are used to confine the value of free parameter of mentioned model.     

Interacting Entropy-Corrected Holographic Chaplygin Gas Model

Holographic dark energy (HDE), presents a dynamical view of dark energy which is consistent with the observational data and has a solid theoretical background. Its definition follows from the entropy-area relation S(A), where S and A are entropy and area respectively. In the framework of loop quantum gravity, a modified definition of HDE called “entropy-corrected holographic dark energy” (ECHDE) has been proposed recently to explain dark energy with the help of quantum corrections to the entropy-area relation. Using this new definition, we establish a correspondence between modified variable Chaplygin gas, new modified Chaplygin gas and the viscous generalized Chaplygin gas with the entropy corrected holographic dark energy and reconstruct the corresponding scalar potentials which describe the dynamics of the scalar field.