Conformally coupled scalar field solutions and the cosmological constant

Solutions are presented for a scalar field coupled conformally to Einstein gravity with a nonvanishing cosmological constant, in the case that the spacetime metric is spatially homogeneous and isotropic. Since the cosmological constant destroys the conformal invariance of the action, these solutions cannot be obtained by solving the flat space wave equation for the scalar field. It turns out that the metric is determined entirely by the cosmological constant, while the scalar field acquires an apparent mass squared which is proportional to the cosmological constant. It is conjectured that the cosmological constant in the universe at present may thus be disguised as the mass of some scalar field.     

Singularities in Einstein–conformally coupled Higgs cosmological models

The dynamics of Einstein–conformally coupled Higgs field (EccH) system is investigated near the initial singularities in the presence of Friedman–Robertson–Walker symmetries. We solve the field equations asymptotically up to fourth order near the singularities analytically, and determine the solutions numerically as well. We found all the asymptotic, power series singular solutions, which are (1) solutions with a scalar polynomial curvature singularity but the Higgs field is bounded (‘Small Bang’), or (2) solutions with a Milne type singularity with bounded spacetime curvature and Higgs field, or (3) solutions with a scalar polynomial curvature singularity and diverging Higgs field (‘Big Bang’). Thus, in the present EccH model there is a new kind of physical spacetime singularity (‘Small Bang’). We also show that, in a neighbourhood of the singularity in these solutions, the Higgs sector does not have any symmetry breaking instantaneous vacuum state, and hence then the Brout–Englert–Higgs mechanism does not work. The large scale behaviour of the solutions is investigated numerically as well. In particular, the numerical calculations indicate that there are singular solutions that cannot be approximated by power series.     

Self-gravitating scalar field with cubic nonlinearity

For a self-gravitating massless conformally invariant scalar field a solution is obtained to the Einstein equations for which the geometry of space-time remains arbitrary. For a scalar field with cubic nonlinearity, a static solution to the Einstein equations possessing plane symmetry is found. A cosmological model with nonlinear scalar field in the class of conformally flat Friedmann metrics is investigated. An example is given of an exact solution to the equations of the gravitational field with singularity in the infinite past.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 12, pp. 18–22, December, 1980.     

Einstein gravity as spontaneously broken Weyl gravity

We study the locally conformal invariant Weyl theory of gravitation and introduce a conformally coupled scalar field. Einstein gravity is induced by spontaneous breaking of the local conformal symmetry in an effective long range approximation. The effective potential for the scalar field is calculated at the one-loop level up to curvature squared in order in an arbitrary curved background. The non-zero vacuum expectation value of the scalar field induces the dimensional Einstein's gravitational coupling constant stably in case ofR > 0. ForR < 0, the phase transition occurs from the symmetric phase to the broken phase as the curvature decreases. This theory may be an attractive candidate for the primordial inflationary universe scenario.     

Conformally Flat Spacetimes and Weyl Frames

We discuss the concepts of Weyl and Riemann frames in the context of metric theories of gravity and state the fact that they are completely equivalent as far as geodesic motion is concerned. We apply this result to conformally flat spacetimes and show that a new picture arises when a Riemannian spacetime is taken by means of geometrical gauge transformations into a Minkowskian flat spacetime. We find out that in the Weyl frame gravity is described by a scalar field. We give some examples of how conformally flat spacetime configurations look when viewed from the standpoint of a Weyl frame. We show that in the non-relativistic and weak field regime the Weyl scalar field may be identified with the Newtonian gravitational potential. We suggest an equation for the scalar field by varying the Einstein-Hilbert action restricted to the class of conformally-flat spacetimes. We revisit Einstein and Fokker’s interpretation of Nordstr?m scalar gravity theory and draw an analogy between this approach and the Weyl gauge formalism. We briefly take a look at two-dimensional gravity as viewed in the Weyl frame and address the question of quantizing a conformally flat spacetime by going to the Weyl frame.     

Time-dependent solutions with localized energy of the Einstein system of equations and a nonlinear scalar field

A soliton-like time-dependent solution in the form of a running wave is derived of a self-consistent system of the gravitational field equations of Einstein and Born-Infeld type of equations of a nonlinear scalar field in a conformally flat metric. This solution is localized in space and possesses a localized energy. It is shown that both the gravitational field and the nonlinearity of the scalar field are essential to the presence of such a localized solution. In recent years various classical particle models have been widely discussed which are static or time-independent solutions of nonlinear equations with localization in space and which possess a finite field energy. In particular, soliton solutions [1], solutions in the form of eddies [2], and so on have been derived and investigated. All these solutions were treated in a flat space-time. It is of interest to derive the analogous particle-like solutions with the gravitational field taken into account; in particular it is of interest to investigate the roles of the gravitational field in connection with the formation of localized objects. These problems have been discussed in [3] in the static case. We will present below a soliton-like time-dependent solution in the form of a solitary running wave as an example of the inter-action of a Born-Infeld type of nonlinear scalar field and an Einstein gravitational field in a conformally flat metric.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 12–17, May, 1979.     

Nonrotating cosmic strings interacting with gravitational waves in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity

We present methods for the construction of exact diagonal cylindrically symmetric solutions in a four dimensional low energy limit of string theory, the Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity. The methods allow us to generate exact string backgrounds from known solutions to the equations of Einstein or Einstein gravity coupled to a massless scalar field. We also give and analyze explicit examples of such solutions. It is shown that they are free of curvature singularities,(quasi)regular on the axis of symmetry, asymptotically flat and describe nonrotating cosmic strings interacting with gravitational, dilaton and electromagnetic waves.     

The structure of the space of solutions of Einstein’s equations coupled with scalar fields

Following the work of Arms, Fischer, Marsden and Moncrief, it is proved that the space of solutions of Einstein’s equations coupled with self-gravitating mass-less scalar fields has conical singularities at each spacetime possessing a compact Cauchy surface of constant mean curvature and a nontrivial set of simultaneous Killing fields, either all spacelike or including one (independent) timelike.     

Noncommutativity effects in FRW scalar field cosmology

We study effects of noncommutativity on the phase space generated by a non-minimal scalar field which is conformally coupled to the background curvature in an isotropic and homogeneous FRW cosmology. These effects are considered in two cases, when the potential of scalar field has zero and nonzero constant values. The investigation is carried out by means of a comparative detailed analysis of mathematical features of the evolution of universe and the most probable universe wave functions in classically commutative and noncommutative frames and quantum counterparts. The influence of noncommutativity is explored by the two noncommutative parameters of space and momentum sectors with a relative focus on the role of the noncommutative parameter of momentum sector. The solutions are presented with some of their numerical diagrams, in the commutative and noncommutative scenarios, and their properties are compared. We find that impose of noncommutativity in the momentum sector causes more ability in tuning time solutions of variables in classical level, and has more probable states of universe in quantum level. We also demonstrate that special solutions in classical and allowed wave functions in quantum models impose bounds on the values of noncommutative parameters.     

New developments in the theory of gravity interacting with quantized fields

Renormalization in the theory of a quantized scalar field interacting with the classical Einstein gravitational field is discussed. The scalar field obeys the generalization of the Klein-Gordon equation which is conformally invariant in the limit of vanishing mass. A generalized Kasner metric corresponding to an anisotropic expansion of the universe is considered. Results obtained in collaboration with S.A. Fulling and B.L. Hu are described, which show explicitly how the infinities appearing in the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor can be absorbed through renormalization of the cosmological constant and the coefficients of a quadratic tensor appearing in a slightly generalized form of the Einstein equation. There is also a finite renormalization of the gravitational constant.     

The Causal Interpretation of Conformally Coupled Scalar Field Quantum Cosmology

We apply the causal interpretation of quantum mechanics to homogeneous and isotropic quantum cosmology, where the source of the gravitational field is a conformally coupled scalar field, and the maximally symmetric hypersurfaces have positive curvature. In order to simplify the system of coupled equations studied and study the quantum behavior near the singularity, we restricted ourselves to the cases where the scale factor is small. In this case, the general solution of the Wheeler–DeWitt equation is a discrete superposition of Hermitian polynomials multiplied by complex exponentials. Superpositions with up to two parcels are studied, and the phase diagrams of their corresponding Bohmian trajectories are analyzed in detail. Nonsingular periodic quantum solutions are found. We also find that singular quantum solutions present an inflationary era in the begining of the Universe. Numerical calculations indicates that these results remain valid for general superpositions.     

Spin Zero Quantum Relativistic Particles in Einstein Universe

We find exact eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of relativistic massless scalar particle conformally coupled to a background Einstein universe.     

Symmetry breaking and gravitational interaction

A scalar field Lagrangian is considered in the curved space-time to which a Hamiltonian determining nonzero vacuum field value is added. The initial Lagrangian can be expressed as a sum of Lagrangians for the constant scalar field component and perturbation. The first Lagrangian can be considered as a Lagrangian for the Einstein gravitational field in vacuum. The problem of renormalization of the constant scalar field component is investigated. It is demonstrated that in the case of conformal relation of the scalar field to the space-time curvature, there exists a unique value of the scalar space curvature for which the field can be considered constant (field perturbations do not result in renormalization of the constant component). This curvature value determines the unique value of the equilibrium nuclide density. A correlation of the examined Lagrangian parameters with the integral parameters of the Solar system is discussed. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 18–34, July, 2006.     

General second-order scalar-tensor theory and self-tuning

Starting from the most general scalar-tensor theory with second-order field equations in four dimensions, we establish the unique action that will allow for the existence of a consistent self-tuning mechanism on Friedmann-Lema?tre-Robertson-Walker backgrounds, and show how it can be understood as a combination of just four base Lagrangians with an intriguing geometric structure dependent on the Ricci scalar, the Einstein tensor, the double dual of the Riemann tensor, and the Gauss-Bonnet combination. Spacetime curvature can be screened from the net cosmological constant at any given moment because we allow the scalar field to break Poincaré invariance on the self-tuning vacua, thereby evading the Weinberg no-go theorem. We show how the four arbitrary functions of the scalar field combine in an elegant way opening up the possibility of obtaining nontrivial cosmological solutions.     

Stability Properties and Asymptotics for N Nonminimally Coupled Scalar Fields Cosmology

We consider here the dynamics of some homogeneous and isotropic cosmological models with N interacting classical scalar fields nonminimally coupled to the spacetime curvature, as an attempt to generalize some recent results obtained for one and two scalar fields. We show that a Lyapunov function can be constructed under certain conditions for a large class of models, suggesting that chaotic behavior is ruled out for them. Typical solutions tend generically to the empty de Sitter (or Minkowski) fixed points, and the previous asymptotic results obtained for the one field model remain valid. In particular, we confirm that, for large times and a vanishing cosmological constant, even in the presence of the extra scalar fields, the universe tends to an infinite diluted matter dominated era.     

PP-waves with torsion: a metric-affine model for the massless neutrino

In this paper we deal with quadratic metric-affine gravity, which we briefly introduce, explain and give historical and physical reasons for using this particular theory of gravity. We then introduce a generalisation of well known spacetimes, namely pp-waves. A classical pp-wave is a 4-dimensional Lorentzian spacetime which admits a nonvanishing parallel spinor field; here the connection is assumed to be Levi-Civita. This definition was generalised in our previous work to metric compatible spacetimes with torsion and used to construct new explicit vacuum solutions of quadratic metric-affine gravity, namely generalised pp-waves of parallel Ricci curvature. The physical interpretation of these solutions we propose in this article is that they represent a conformally invariant metric-affine model for a massless elementary particle. We give a comparison with the classical model describing the interaction of gravitational and massless neutrino fields, namely Einstein–Weyl theory and construct pp-wave type solutions of this theory. We point out that generalised pp-waves of parallel Ricci curvature are very similar to pp-wave type solutions of the Einstein–Weyl model and therefore propose that our generalised pp-waves of parallel Ricci curvature represent a metric-affine model for the massless neutrino.     

Conformally related metrics and Lagrangians and their physical interpretation in cosmology

Conformally related metrics and Lagrangians are considered in the context of scalar–tensor gravity cosmology. After the discussion of the problem, we pose a lemma in which we show that the field equations of two conformally related Lagrangians are also conformally related if and only if the corresponding Hamiltonian vanishes. Then we prove that to every non-minimally coupled scalar field, we may associate a unique minimally coupled scalar field in a conformally related space with an appropriate potential. The latter result implies that the field equations of a non-minimally coupled scalar field are the same at the conformal level with the field equations of the minimally coupled scalar field. This fact is relevant in order to select physical variables among conformally equivalent systems. Finally, we find that the above propositions can be extended to a general Riemannian space of $n$ n -dimensions.     

A Solvable Model in Two—Dimensional Gravity Coupled to a Nonlinear Matter Field

The two-dimensional gravity model with a coupling constant k=4 and a vanishing cosmological constant coupled to a nonlinear matter field is investigated.We found that the classical equations of motion are exactly solvable and the static solutions of the induced metric and scalar curvature can be obtained analytically.These soulutions may be used to describe the naked singularity at the origin.     

Sinh-Gordon Matter Field and a Solvable Model in Two-Dimensional Gravity

The two-dimensional gravity model with a coupling constant k = 4 and a vanishing cosmological constant coupled to a sinh-Gordon matter field is investigated. We find that the classical equations of motion are exactly solvable, and analytically obtain the static solutions of induced metric and scalar curvature. These solutions have some new features and may be used to describe the naked singularities at the horizons.     

Route to Lambda in conformally coupled phantom cosmology

In this Letter we investigate acceleration in the flat cosmological model with a conformally coupled phantom field and we show that acceleration is its generic feature. We reduce the dynamics of the model to a 3-dimensional dynamical system and analyze it on a invariant 2-dimensional submanifold. Then the concordance FRW model with the cosmological constant Λ   is a global attractor situated on a 2-dimensional invariant space. We also study the behaviour near this attractor, which can be approximated by the dynamics of the linearized part of the system. We demonstrate that trajectories of the conformally coupled phantom scalar field with a simple quadratic potential crosses the cosmological constant barrier infinitely many times in the phase space. The universal behaviour of the scalar field and its potential is also calculated. We conclude that the phantom scalar field conformally coupled to gravity gives a natural dynamical mechanism of concentration of the equation of state coefficient around the magical value weff=−1$w_{\mathrm{eff}}=-1$. We demonstrate route to Lambda through the infinite times crossing the weff=−1$w_{\mathrm{eff}}=-1$ phantom divide.