Observational Constraints on Quintessence: Thawing, Tracker, and Scaling models

Abstract: For two types of quintessence models having thawing and tracking properties, there exist analytic solutions for the dark energy equation of state w expressed in terms of several free parameters. We put observational bounds on the parameters in such scenarios by using the recent data of Supernovae type Ia, Cosmic Microwave Background, and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations. The observational constraints are quite different depending on whether or not the recent BAO data from BOSS are taken into account. With the BOSS data the upper bounds of today's values of w (=w_0) in thawing models is very close to -1, whereas without this data the values of w_0 away from -1 can be still allowed. The tracker equation of state w_(0) during the matter era is constrained to be w_(0)<-0.949 at 95 the tracker models with w away from -1 are severely disfavored. We also study observational constraints on scaling models in which w starts to evolve from 0 in the deep matter era and show that the transition to the equation of state close to w=-1 needs to occur at an early cosmological epoch. In the three classes of quintessence models studied in this paper, the past evolution of the Hubble parameters in the best-fit models shows only less than the 2.5 difference compared to the LCDM.

quintessence
scaling model
dark energy
baryon acoustic oscillations
observational constraint


Inference of the cosmological parameters from gravitational waves: application to second generation interferometers

Abstract: The advanced world-wide network of gravitational waves (GW) observatories is scheduled to begin operations within the current decade. Thanks to their improved sensitivity, they promise to yield a number of detections and thus to open a new observational windows for astronomy and astrophysics. Among the scientific goals that should be achieved, there is the independent measurement of the value of the cosmological parameters, hence an independent test of the current cosmological paradigm. Due to the importance of such task, a number of studies have evaluated the capabilities of GW telescopes in this respect. However, since GW do not yield information about the source redshift, different groups have made different assumptions regarding the means through which the GW redshift can be obtained. These different assumptions imply also different methodologies to solve this inference problem. This work presents a formalism based on Bayesian inference developed to facilitate the inclusion of all assumptions and prior information about a GW source within a single data analysis framework. This approach guarantees the minimisation of information loss and the possibility of including naturally event-specific knowledge (such as the sky position for a Gamma Ray Burst - GW coincident observation) in the analysis. The workings of the method are applied to a specific example, loosely designed along the lines of the method proposed by Schutz in 1986, in which one uses information from wide-field galaxy surveys as prior information for the location of a GW source. I show that combining the results from few tens of observations from a network of advanced interferometers will constrain the Hubble constant H_0 to an accuracy of ∼ 4 - 5

cosmological parameter
gravitational wave
inference


Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Rays

Abstract: This is a review of the most resent results from the investigation of the Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Rays, particles of energy exceeding 10^18 eV. After a general introduction to the topic and a brief review of the lower energy cosmic rays and the detection methods, the two most recent experiments, the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) and the Southern Auger Observatory are described. We then concentrate on the results from these two experiments on the cosmic ray energy spectrum, the chemical composition of these cosmic rays and on the searches for their sources. We conclude with a brief analysis of the controversies in these results and the projects in development and construction that can help solve the remaining problems with these particles.


Small scale induced gravitational waves from primordial black holes, a stringent lower mass bound, and the imprints of an early matter to radiation transition

Abstract: In all inflationary scenarios of primordial black holes (PBH) formation, amplified scalar perturbations inevitably accompany an induced stochastic gravitational waves background (ISGWB) at smaller scales. In this paper, we study the ISGWB originating from the inflationary model, introduced in our previous paper [1] wherein PBHs can be produced with a nearly monochromatic mass fraction in the asteroid mass window accounting for the total dark matter in the universe. We numerically calculate the ISGWB in our scenario for frequencies ranging from nanoHz to KHz that covers the observational scales corresponding to future space based GW observatories such as IPTA, LISA, DECIGO and ET. Interestingly, we find that ultralight PBHs (M_ PBH∼ 10^-20 M_⊙) which shall completely evaporate by today with exceedingly small contribution to dark matter, would still generate an ISGWB that may be detected by a future design of the ground based Advanced LIGO detector. Using a model independent approach, we obtain a stringent lower mass limit for ultralight PBHs which would be valid for a large class of ultra slow roll inflationary models. Further, we extend our formalism to study the imprints of a reheating epoch on both the ISGWB and the derived lower mass bound. We find that any non-instantaneous reheating leads to an even stronger lower bound on PBHs mass and an epoch of a prolonged matter dominated reheating shifts the ISGWB spectrum to smaller frequencies. In particular, we show that an epoch of an early matter dominated phase leads to a secondary amplification of ISGWB at much smaller scales corresponding to the smallest comoving scale leaving the horizon during inflation or the end of inflation scale. Finally, we discuss the prospects of the ISGWB detection by the proposed and upcoming GW observatories.

gravitational wave
primordial black hole
early matter


Relativistic corrections and non-Gaussianity in radio continuum surveys

Abstract: Forthcoming radio continuum surveys will cover large volumes of the observable Universe and will reach to high redshifts, making them potentially powerful probes of dark energy, modified gravity and non-Gaussianity. Here we extend recent works by analyzing the general relativistic (GR) corrections to the angular power spectrum. These GR corrections to the standard Newtonian analysis of the power spectrum become significant on scales near and beyond the Hubble scale at each redshift. We consider the continuum surveys with LOFAR, WSRT and ASKAP, and examples of continuum surveys with the SKA. We find that the GR corrections are at most percent-level in LOFAR, WODAN and EMU surveys, but they can produce O(10 surveys. The signal is however dominated by cosmic variance, and multiple-tracer observations will be needed to overcome this problem. The GR corrections are suppressed in continuum surveys because of the integration over redshift – we expect that GR corrections will be enhanced for future SKA HI surveys in which the source redshifts will be known. We also provide predictions for the angular power spectra in the case where the primordial perturbations have local non-Gaussianity. We find that non-Gaussianity dominates over GR corrections, and rises above cosmic variance whenf_NL≳5for SKA continuum surveys.

non-gaussianity
radio
relativistic effect
galaxy distribution


Fluctuations of electrical conductivity: a new source for astrophysical magnetic fields

Abstract: We consider the generation of magnetic field by the flow of a fluid for which the electrical conductivity is nonuniform. A new amplification mechanism is found which leads to dynamo action for flows much simpler than those considered so far. In particular, the fluctuations of the electrical conductivity provide a way to bypass anti-dynamo theorems. For astrophysical objects, we show through three-dimensional global numerical simulations that the temperature-driven fluctuations of the electrical conductivity can amplify an otherwise decaying large scale equatorial dipolar field. This effect could play a role for the generation of the unusually tilted magnetic field of the iced giants Neptune and Uranus.

electrical conductivity
magnetic field
fluctuation


The Faintest Dwarf Galaxies

Abstract: The lowest luminosity (L < 10^5 L_sun) Milky Way satellite galaxies represent the extreme lower limit of the galaxy luminosity function. These ultra-faint dwarfs are the oldest, most dark matter-dominated, most metal-poor, and least chemically evolved stellar systems known. They therefore provide unique windows into the formation of the first galaxies and the behavior of dark matter on small scales. In this review, we summarize the discovery of ultra-faint dwarfs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in 2005, and the subsequent observational and theoretical progress in understanding their nature and origin. We describe their stellar kinematics, chemical abundance patterns, structural properties, stellar populations, orbits, and luminosity function, and what can be learned from each type of measurement. We conclude that: (1) in most cases, the stellar velocity dispersions of ultra-faint dwarfs are robust against systematic uncertainties such as binary stars and foreground contamination; (2) the chemical abundance patterns of stars in ultra-faint dwarfs require two sources of r-process elements, one of which can likely be attributed to neutron star mergers; (3) even under conservative assumptions, only a small fraction of ultra-faint dwarfs may have suffered significant tidal stripping of their stellar components; (4) determining the properties of the faintest dwarfs out to the virial radius of the Milky Way will require very large investments of observing time with future telescopes. Finally, we offer a look forward at the observations that will be possible with future facilities as the push toward a complete census of the Local Group dwarf galaxy population continues.


Model Independent Signatures of New Physics in the Inflationary Power Spectrum

Abstract: We compute the universal generic corrections to the inflationary power spectrum due to unknown high-energy physics. We arrive at this result via a careful integrating out of massive fields in the "in-in" formalism yielding a consistent and predictive low-energy effective description in time-dependent backgrounds. We find that the power spectrum is universally modified at order H/M, where H is the scale of inflation. This is qualitatively different from the universal corrections in time-independent backgrounds, and it suggests that such effects may be present in upcoming cosmological observations.

new physics
inflationary power spectrum
massive field


Constraining the spin and the deformation parameters from the black hole shadow

Abstract: Within 5-10 years, very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) facilities will be able to directly image the accretion flow around SgrA^*, the super-massive black hole candidate at the center of the Galaxy, and observe the black hole "shadow". In 4-dimensional general relativity, the no-hair theorem asserts that uncharged black holes are described by the Kerr solution and are completely specified by their mass M and by their spin parameter a. In this paper, we explore the possibility of distinguishing Kerr and Bardeen black holes from their shadow. In Hioki Maeda (2009), under the assumption that the background geometry is described by the Kerr solution, the authors proposed an algorithm to estimate the value of a/M by measuring the distortion parameter δ, an observable quantity that characterizes the shape of the shadow. Here, we try to extend their approach. Since the Hioki-Maeda distortion parameter is degenerate with respect to the spin and possible deviations from the Kerr solution, one has to measure another quantity to test the Kerr black hole hypothesis. We study a few possibilities. We find that it is extremely difficult to distinguish Kerr and Bardeen black holes from the sole observation of the shadow, and out of reach for the near future. The combination of the measurement of the shadow with possible accurate radio observations of a pulsar in a compact orbit around SgrA^* could be a more promising strategy to verify the Kerr black hole paradigm.


Vesta and Ceres: crossing the history of the Solar System

Abstract: The evolution of the Solar System can be schematically divided into three different phases: the Solar Nebula, the Primordial Solar System and the Modern Solar System. These three periods were characterized by very different conditions, both from the point of view of the physical conditions and from that of the processes there were acting through them. Across the Solar Nebula phase, planetesimals and planetary embryos were forming and differentiating due to the decay of short-lived radionuclides. At the same time, giant planets formed their cores and accreted the nebular gas to reach their present masses. After the gas dispersal, the Primordial Solar System began its evolution. In the inner Solar System, planetary embryos formed the terrestrial planets and, in combination with the gravitational perturbations of the giant planets, depleted the residual population of planetesimals. In the outer Solar System, giant planets underwent a violent, chaotic phase of orbital rearrangement which caused the Late Heavy Bombardment. Then the rapid and fierce evolution of the young Solar System left place to the more regular secular evolution of the Modern Solar System. Vesta, through its connection with HED meteorites, and plausibly Ceres too were between the first bodies to form in the history of the Solar System. Here we discuss the timescale of their formation and evolution and how they would have been affected by their passage through the different phases of the history of the Solar System, in order to draw a reference framework to interpret the data that Dawn mission will supply on them.


Building the Evryscope: Hardware Design and Performance

Abstract: The Evryscope is a telescope array designed to open a new parameter space in optical astronomy, detecting short timescale events across extremely large sky areas simultaneously. The system consists of a 780 MPix 22-camera array with an 8150 sq. deg. field of view, 13" per pixel sampling, and the ability to detect objects down to Mg=16 in each 2 minute dark-sky exposure. The Evryscope, covering 18,400 sq.deg. with hours of high-cadence exposure time each night, is designed to find the rare events that require all-sky monitoring, including transiting exoplanets around exotic stars like white dwarfs and hot subdwarfs, stellar activity of all types within our galaxy, nearby supernovae, and other transient events such as gamma ray bursts and gravitational-wave electromagnetic counterparts. The system averages 5000 images per night with 300,000 sources per image, and to date has taken over 3.0M images, totaling 250TB of raw data. The resulting light curve database has light curves for 9.3M targets, averaging 32,600 epochs per target through 2018. This paper summarizes the hardware and performance of the Evryscope, including the lessons learned during telescope design, electronics design, a procedure for the precision polar alignment of mounts for Evryscope-like systems, robotic control and operations, and safety and performance-optimization systems. We measure the on-sky performance of the Evryscope, discuss its data-analysis pipelines, and present some example variable star and eclipsing binary discoveries from the telescope. We also discuss new discoveries of very rare objects including 2 hot subdwarf eclipsing binaries with late M-dwarf secondaries (HW Vir systems), 2 white dwarf / hot subdwarf short-period binaries, and 4 hot subdwarf reflection binaries. We conclude with the status of our transit surveys, M-dwarf flare survey, and transient detection.

evryscope
performance
telescope array
sky


Dark compact objects: an extensive overview

Abstract: We study the structure of compact objects that contain non-self annihilating, self-interacting dark matter admixed with ordinary matter made of neutron star and white dwarf materials. We extend the previous work Phys. Rev. D 92 123002 (2015) on these dark compact objects by analyzing the effect of weak and strongly interacting dark matter with particle masses in the range of 1-500 GeV, so as to set some constraints in the strength of the interaction and the mass of the dark matter particle. We find that the total mass of the compact objects increases with decreasing dark matter particle mass. In the strong interacting case and for dark matter particle masses in the range 1-10 GeV, the total mass of the compact objects largely exceeds the 2M_⊙ constraint for neutron star masses and the nominal 1M_⊙for white dwarfs, while for larger dark matter particle masses or in the weakly interacting case the compact objects show masses in agreement or smaller than these constraints, thus hinting at the exclusion of strongly self-interacting dark matter of masses 1-10 GeV in the interior of these compact objects. Moreover, we observe that the smaller the dark matter particle mass, the larger the quantity of dark matter captured is, putting constraints on the dark matter mass trapped in the compact objects so as to fullfill ≃ 2M_⊙ observations. Finally, the inhomogeneity of distribution of dark matter in the Galaxy implies a mass dependence of compact objects from the environment which can be used to put constraints on the characteristics of the Galaxy halo DM profile and on particle mass. In view of the these results, we discuss the formation of the dark compact objects in an homogeneous and non-homogeneous dark matter environment.

compact object
dark matter
neutron star
white dwarf material
element


Naturalness and the Status of Supersymmetry

Abstract: For decades, the unnaturalness of the weak scale has been the dominant problem motivating new particle physics, and weak-scale supersymmetry has been the dominant proposed solution. This paradigm is now being challenged by a wealth of experimental data. In this review, we begin by recalling the theoretical motivations for weak-scale supersymmetry, including the gauge hierarchy problem, grand unification, and WIMP dark matter, and their implications for superpartner masses. These are set against the leading constraints on supersymmetry from collider searches, the Higgs boson mass, and low-energy constraints on flavor and CP violation. We then critically examine attempts to quantify naturalness in supersymmetry, stressing the many subjective choices that impact the results both quantitatively and qualitatively. Finally, we survey various proposals for natural supersymmetric models, including effective supersymmetry, focus point supersymmetry, compressed supersymmetry, and R-parity-violating supersymmetry, and summarize their key features, current status, and implications for future experiments.

status
supersymmetry
dark matter
naturalness
susy


Non-Cold Dark Matter from Primordial Black Hole Evaporation

Abstract: Dark matter coupled solely gravitationally can be produced through the decay of primordial black holes in the early universe. If the dark matter is lighter than the initial black hole temperature, it could be warm enough to be subject to structure formation constraints. In this paper we perform a more precise determination of these constraints. We first evaluate the dark matter phase-space distribution, without relying on the instantaneous decay approximation. We then interface this phase-space distribution with the Boltzmann code CLASS to extract the corresponding matter power spectrum, which we find to match closely those of warm dark matter models, albeit with a different dark matter mass. This mapping allows us to extract constraints from Lyman-α data without the need to perform hydrodynamical simulations. We robustly rule out the possibility, consistent with previous analytic estimates, of primordial black holes having come to dominate the energy density of the universe and simultaneously given rise to all the DM through their decay. Consequences and implications for dark radiation and leptogenesis are also briefly discussed.


Oscillating Filaments: I - Oscillation and Geometrical Fragmentation

Abstract: We study the stability of filaments in equilibrium between gravity and internal as well as external pressure using the grid based AMR-code RAMSES. A homogeneous, straight cylinder below a critical line mass is marginally stable. However, if the cylinder is bent, e.g. with a slight sinusoidal perturbation, an otherwise stable configuration starts to oscillate, is triggered into fragmentation and collapses. This previously unstudied behavior allows a filament to fragment at any given scale, as long as it has slight bends. We call this process `geometrical fragmentation'. In our realization the spacing between the cores matches the wavelength of the sinusoidal perturbation, whereas up to now, filaments were thought to be only fragmenting on the characteristical scale set by the mass-to-line ratio. Using first principles, we derive the oscillation period as well as the collapse timescale analytically. To enable a direct comparison with observations, we study the line-of-sight velocity for different inclinations. We show that the overall oscillation pattern can hide the infall signature of cores.

filament
geometrical fragmentation
oscillation


Massive Galaxies in COSMOS: Evolution of Black hole versus bulge mass but not versus total stellar mass over the last 9 Gyrs?

Abstract: We constrain the ratio of black hole (BH) mass to total stellar mass of type-1 AGN in the COSMOS survey at 1<z<2. For 10 AGN at mean redshift z 1.4 with both HST/ACS and HST/NICMOS imaging data we are able to compute total stellar mass M_(*,total), based on restframe UV-to-optical host galaxy colors which constrain mass-to-light ratios. All objects have virial BH mass-estimates available from the COSMOS Magellan/IMACS and zCOSMOS surveys. We find zero difference between the M_BH–M_(*,total)-relation at z 1.4 and the M_BH–M_(*,bulge)-relation in the local Universe. Our interpretation is: (a) If our objects were purely bulge-dominated, the M_BH–M_(*,bulge)-relation has not evolved since z 1.4. However, (b) since we have evidence for substantial disk components, the bulges of massive galaxies (logM_(*,total)=11.1+-0.25 or logM_BH 8.3+-0.2) must have grown over the last 9 Gyrs predominantly by redistribution of disk- into bulge-mass. Since all necessary stellar mass exists in the galaxy at z=1.4, no star-formation or addition of external stellar material is required, only a redistribution e.g. induced by minor and major merging or through disk instabilities. Merging, in addition to redistributing mass in the galaxy, will add both BH and stellar/bulge mass, but does not change the overall final M_BH/M_(*,bulge) ratio. Since the overall cosmic stellar and BH mass buildup trace each other tightly over time, our scenario of bulge-formation in massive galaxies is independent of any strong BH-feedback and means that the mechanism coupling BH and bulge mass until the present is very indirect.


Two-fluid dark matter models

Abstract: We investigate the possibility that dark matter is a mixture of two non-interacting perfect fluids, with different four-velocities and thermodynamic parameters. The two-fluid model can be described as an effective single anisotropic fluid, with distinct radial and tangential pressures. The basic equations describing the equilibrium structure of the two-fluid dark matter model, and of the tangential velocity of test particles in stable circular orbits, are obtained for the case of a spherically symmetric static geometry. By assuming a non-relativistic kinetic model for the dark matter particles, the density profile and the tangential velocity of the dark matter mixture are obtained by numerically integrating the gravitational field equations. The cosmological implications of the model are also briefly considered, and it is shown that the anisotropic two-fluid model isotropizes in the large time limit.

dark matter model
two-fluid model
single anisotropic fluid


The Pluto system: Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons

Abstract: The Pluto system was recently explored by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, making closest approach on 14 July 2015. Pluto's surface displays diverse landforms, terrain ages, albedos, colors, and composition gradients. Evidence is found for a water-ice crust, geologically young surface units, surface ice convection, wind streaks, volatile transport, and glacial flow. Pluto's atmosphere is highly extended, with trace hydrocarbons, a global haze layer, and a surface pressure near 10 microbars. Pluto's diverse surface geology and long-term activity raise fundamental questions about how small planets remain active many billions of years after formation. Pluto's large moon Charon displays tectonics and evidence for a heterogeneous crustal composition, its north pole displays puzzling dark terrain. Small satellites Hydra and Nix have higher albedos than expected.

pluto system
new horizons
july
surface
planet


First observational constraints on tensor non-Gaussianity sourced by primordial magnetic fields from cosmic microwave background

Abstract: Primordial magnetic fields (PMFs) create a large squeezed-type non-Gaussianity in tensor perturbation, which generates non-Gaussian temperature fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). We for the first time derive an observational constraint on such a tensor non-Gaussianity from observed CMB maps. Analyzing temperature maps of the WMAP 7-year data, we find that such a tensor non-Gaussianity is consistent with zero. This gives an upper bound on PMF strength smoothed on 1 Mpc as B_1 Mpc < 3.1 nG at 95

tensor non-gaussianity
primordial magnetic field
cosmic microwave background


String Inflation After Planck 2013

Abstract: We briefly summarize the impact of the recent Planck measurements for string inflationary models, and outline what might be expected to be learned in the near future from the expected improvement in sensitivity to the primordial tensor-to-scalar ratio. We comment on whether these models provide sufficient added value to compensate for their complexity, and ask how they fare in the face of the new constraints on non-gaussianity and dark radiation. We argue that as a group the predictions made before Planck agree well with what has been seen, and draw conclusions from this about what is likely to mean as sensitivity to primordial gravitational waves improves.

planck
string theory
inflationary model building
bicep2 result


Axion cold dark matter in non-standard cosmologies

Abstract: We study the parameter space of cold dark matter axions in two cosmological scenarios with non-standard thermal histories before Big Bang nucleosynthesis: the Low Temperature Reheating (LTR) cosmology and the kination cosmology. If the Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaks during inflation, we find more allowed parameter space in the LTR cosmology than in the standard cosmology and less in the kination cosmology. On the contrary, if the Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaks after inflation, the Peccei-Quinn scale is orders of magnitude higher than standard in the LTR cosmology and lower in the kination cosmology. We show that the axion velocity dispersion may be used to distinguish some of these non-standard cosmologies. Thus, axion cold dark matter may be a good probe of the history of the Universe before Big Bang nucleosynthesis.

dark matter
non-standard cosmology
axion


CMB bispectrum from primordial magnetic fields on large angular scales

Abstract: Primordial magnetic fields lead to non-Gaussian signals in the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) even at the lowest order, as magnetic stresses, and the temperature anisotropy they induce, depend quadratically on the magnetic field. In contrast, CMB non-Gaussianity due to inflationary scalar perturbations arise only as a higher order effect. We propose here a novel probe of stochastic primordial magnetic fields that exploits the characteristic CMB non-Gaussianity that they induce. In particular, we compute the CMB bispectrum (b_l__1l__2l__3) induced by stochastic primordial fields on large angular scales. We find a typical value of l_1(l_1+1)l_3(l_3+1) b_l__1l__2l__3∼ 10^-22, for magnetic fields of strength B_0 ∼ 3 nano Gauss and with a nearly scale invariant magnetic spectrum. Current observational limits on the bispectrum allow us to set upper limits on B_0 ∼ 35 nano Gauss, which can be improved by including other magnetically induced contributions to the bispectrum.

primordial magnetic field
large angular scale
cmb bispectrum


Constraining extra dimensions on cosmological scales with LISA future gravitational wave siren data

Abstract: We investigate the idea that current cosmic acceleration could be the consequence of gravitational leakage into extra dimensions on cosmological scales rather than the result of a non-zero cosmological constant, and consider the ability of future gravitational-wave siren observations to probe this phenomenon and constrain the parameters of phenomenological models of this gravitational leakage. In theories that include additional non-compact spacetime dimensions, the gravitational leakage intro extra dimensions leads to a reduction in the amplitude of observed gravitational waves and thereby a systematic discrepancy between the distance inferred to such sources from GW and EM observations. We investigate the capability of a gravitational space interferometer such as LISA to probe this modified gravity on large scales. We find that the extent to which LISA will be able to place limits on the number of spacetime dimensions and other cosmological parameters characterising modified gravity will strongly depend on the actual number and redshift distribution of sources, together with the uncertainty on the GW measurements. A relatively small number of sources (∼ 1) and high measurement uncertainties would strongly restrict the ability of LISA to place meaningful constraints on the parameters in cosmological scenarios where gravity is only five-dimensional and modified at scales larger than about ∼ 4 times the Hubble radius. Conversely, if the number of sources observed amounts to a four-year average of ∼ 27, then in the most favourable cosmological scenarios LISA has the potential to place meaningful constraints on the cosmological parameters with a precision of ∼ 1% on the number of dimensions and ∼ 7.5% on the scale beyond which gravity is modified, thereby probing the late expansion of the universe up to a redshift of ∼ 8.

extra dimension
cosmological scale
gravitational wave


Cosmological constraints on dark matter models with velocity-dependent annihilation cross section

Abstract: We derive cosmological constraints on the annihilation cross section of dark matter with velocity-dependent structure, motivated by annihilating dark matter models through Sommerfeld or Breit-Wigner enhancement mechanisms. In models with annihilation cross section increasing with decreasing dark matter velocity, big-bang nucleosynthesis and cosmic microwave background give stringent constraints.

dark matter model
annihilation cross section
matter velocity distribution


Searching for deviations from the General Relativity Theory with gas mass fraction of galaxy clusters and complementary probes

Abstract: Nowadays, thanks to the improved precision of cosmological data, it has been possible to search for deviation from the general relativity theory with tests on large cosmic scales. Particularly, there is a class of modified gravity theories that breaks the Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) in the electromagnetic sector, generating variations of the fine structure constant, violations of the cosmic distance duality relation and the evolution law of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. In recent papers, this class of theories has been tested with angular diameter distances from galaxy clusters, type Ia supernovae and CMB temperature. In this work we propose a new test by considering the most recent X-ray surface brightness observations of galaxy clusters jointly with type Ia supernovae and CMB temperature. The crucial point here is that we take into account the dependence of the X-ray gas mass fraction of galaxy clusters on possible variations of the fine structure constant and violations of the cosmic distance duality relation. Our basic result is that this new approach is competitive with the previous one and it also does not show significant deviations from the general relativity.

general relativity theory
gas mass fraction
galaxy cluster


Constraints on small-scale primordial density fluctuation from cosmic microwave background through dark matter annihilation

Abstract: The cosmic microwave background (CMB) observation by the Planck satellite precisely determines primordial curvature fluctuations on larger scales than 𝒪(1) Mpc, while the small-scale curvature fluctuation is still less constrained. The constraint on small-scale fluctuations is highly improved if we assume the standard thermal relic dark matter scenario. When small-scale fluctuations are large enough, dense regions collapse to form small halos even in a redshift z≳10^3, which is called ultracompact minihalos. These minihalos enhance the annihilation of the dark matter and it is constrained by observations such as extragalactic gamma rays and the CMB. We revisit the effect of minihalos formed by the small-scale density fluctuations and calculate the ionization history modified by the dark matter annihilation. We perform the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to constrain the size of small-scale curvature fluctuations by the CMB power spectrum. It is found that the constraint from the CMB power spectrum is comparable to that from the extragalactic gamma rays. We confirm that our constraint mainly comes from the energy injection in early time (z≳ 100) and hence it is independent of the uncertainty of minihalo properties in the late time.

density fluctuation
cosmic microwave background
dark matter annihilation


Leptogenesis from a GeV Seesaw without Mass Degeneracy

Abstract: For Leptogenesis based on the type-I seesaw mechanism, we present a systematic calculation of lepton-number violating and purely flavoured asymmetries within nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory. We show that sterile neutrinos with non-degenerate masses in the GeV range can explain the baryon asymmetry of the Universe via flavoured Leptogenesis. This is possible due to the interplay of thermal and flavour effects. Our approach clarifies the relation between Leptogenesis from the oscillations of sterile neutrinos and the more commonly studied scenarios from decays and inverse decays. We explain why lower mass bounds for non-degenerate sterile neutrinos derived for Leptogenesis from out-of-equilibrium decays do not apply to flavoured Leptogenesis with GeV-scale neutrinos.


The TT, TB, EB and BB correlations in anisotropic inflation

Abstract: The ongoing and future experiments will measure the B-mode from different sky coverage and frequency bands, with the potential to reveal non-trivial features in polarization map. In this work we study the TT, TB, EB and BB correlations associated with the B-mode polarization of CMB map in models of charged anisotropic inflation. The model contains a chaotic-type large field complex inflaton which is charged under the U(1) gauge field. We calculate the statistical anisotropies generated in the power spectra of the curvature perturbation, the tensor perturbation and their cross-correlation. It is shown that the asymmetry in tensor power spectrum is a very sensitive probe of the gauge coupling. While the level of statistical anisotropy in temperature power spectrum can be small and satisfy the observational bounds, the interactions from the gauge coupling can induce large directional dependence in tensor modes. This will leave interesting anisotropic fingerprints in various correlations involving the B-mode polarization such as the TB cross-correlation which may be detected in upcoming Planck polarization data. In addition, the TT correlation receives an anisotropic contribution from the tensor sector which naturally decays after l ≳ 100. We expect that the mechanism of using tensor sector to induce asymmetry at low l to be generic which can also be applied to address other low l CMB anomalies.

anisotropic inflation
tensor perturbation
primordial gravitational wave


Numerical integration of dynamical systems with Lie series: Relativistic acceleration and non-gravitational forces

Abstract: The integration of the equations of motion in gravitational dynamical systems – either in our Solar System or for extra-solar planetary system – being non integrable in the global case, is usually performed by means of numerical integration. Among the different numerical techniques available for solving ordinary differential equations, the numerical integration using Lie series has shown some advantages. In its original form (Hanslmeier 1984), it was limited to the N-body problem where only gravitational interactions are taken into account. We present in this paper a generalisation of the method by deriving an expression of the Lie-terms when other major forces are considered. As a matter of fact, previous studies had been made but only for objects moving under gravitational attraction. If other perturbations are added, the Lie integrator has to be re-built. In the present work we consider two cases involving position and position-velocity dependent perturbations: relativistic acceleration in the framework of General Relativity and a simplified force for the Yarkovsky effect. A general iteration procedure is applied to derive the Lie series to any order and precision. We then give an application to the integration of the equation of motions for typical Near-Earth objects and planet Mercury.

relativistic acceleration
force
numerical integration


Shear viscosity due to phonons in superfluid neutron stars

Abstract: We compute the contribution of phonons to the shear viscosity η in superfluid neutron stars, assuming neutron pairing in a ^1S_0 channel. We use a Boltzmann equation amended by a collision term that takes into account the binary collisions of phonons. We use effective field theory techniques to extract the phonon scattering rates, written as a function of the equation of state (EoS) of the system. Our formulation is rather general, and can be used to extract the shear viscosity due to binary collisions of phonons for other superfluids, such as the cold Fermi gas in the unitarity limit. We find that η∝ 1/T^5, the proportionality factor depending on the EoS of the system. Our results indicate that the phonon contribution to η cannot be ignored and might have relevant effects in the dynamics of the different oscillation modes of the star.

superfluid neutron star
phonon contribution
shear viscosity


Hundreds of new satellites of figure-eight orbit computed with high precision

Abstract: Satellites (topological powers) of the famous figure-eight orbit are special periodic solutions of the planar three-body problem. In this paper we use a modified Newton's method based on the Continuous analog of Newton's method and high precision arithmetic for a purposeful numerical search of new satellites of the figure-eight orbit. Over 700 new satellites are found, including 76 new linearly stable ones. 7 of the newly found linearly stable satellites are choreographies. The linear stability is checked by a high precision computing of the eigenvalues of the monodromy matrices. The initial conditions of all found solutions are given with 150 correct decimal digits.

satellite
figure-eight orbit
high precision


Eddington-limited accretion and the black hole mass function at redshift 6

Abstract: We present discovery observations of a quasar in the Canada-France High-z Quasar Survey (CFHQS) at redshift z=6.44. We also use near-IR spectroscopy of nine CFHQS quasars at z 6 to determine black hole masses. These are compared with similar estimates for more luminous Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasars to investigate the relationship between black hole mass and quasar luminosity. We find a strong correlation between MgII FWHM and UV luminosity and that most quasars at this early epoch are accreting close to the Eddington limit. Thus these quasars appear to be in an early stage of their life cycle where they are building up their black hole mass exponentially. Combining these results with the quasar luminosity function, we derive the black hole mass function at z=6. Our black hole mass function is 10^4 times lower than at z=0 and substantially below estimates from previous studies. The main uncertainties which could increase the black hole mass function are a larger population of obscured quasars at high-redshift than is observed at low-redshift and/or a low quasar duty cycle at z=6. In comparison, the global stellar mass function is only 10^2 times lower at z=6 than at z=0. The difference between the black hole and stellar mass function evolution is due to either rapid early star formation which is not limited by radiation pressure as is the case for black hole growth or inefficient black hole seeding. Our work predicts that the black hole mass - stellar mass relation for a volume-limited sample of galaxies declines rapidly at very high redshift. This is in contrast to the observed increase at 4<z<6 from the local relation if one just studies the most massive black holes.

hole mass function
redshift
eddington-limited accretion


Low scale leptogenesis and dark matter in the presence of primordial black holes

Abstract: We study the possibility of low scale leptogenesis along with dark matter (DM) in the presence of primordial black holes (PBH). For a common setup to study both leptogenesis and DM we consider the minimal scotogenic model which also explains light neutrino mass at radiative level. While PBH in the mass range of 0.1-10^5 g can, in principle, affect leptogenesis, the required initial PBH fraction usually leads to overproduction of scalar doublet DM whose thermal freeze-out occurs before PBH evaporation. PBH can lead to non-thermal source of leptogenesis as well as dilution of thermally generated lepton asymmetry via entropy injection, with the latter being dominant. The parameter space of scotogenic model which leads to overproduction of baryon or lepton asymmetry in standard cosmology can be made consistent in the presence of PBH with appropriate initial mass and energy fraction. On the other hand, for such PBH parameters, the scalar DM is constrained to be in light mass regime where its freeze-out occurs after PBH evaporation. We then discuss the possibility of fermion singlet DM with N_2 leptogenesis in the same model where due to singlet nature of DM, its connection with PBH parameters and hence leptogenesis becomes stronger compared to the previous case.

dark matter
black hole
low scale leptogenesis


Modified-gravity wormholes without exotic matter

Abstract: A fundamental ingredient in wormhole physics is the flaring-out condition at the throat which, in classical general relativity, entails the violation of the null energy condition. In this work, we present the most general conditions in the context of modified gravity, in which the matter threading the wormhole throat satisfies all of the energy conditions, and it is the higher order curvature terms, which may be interpreted as a gravitational fluid, that support these nonstandard wormhole geometries. Thus, we explicitly show that wormhole geometries can be theoretically constructed without the presence of exotic matter, but are sustained in the context of modified gravity.


Density fluctuations from warm inflation

Abstract: Thermal fluctuations provide the main source of large scale density perturbations in warm inflationary models of the early universe. For the first time, general results are obtained for the power spectrum in the case when the friction coefficient in the inflaton equation of motion depends on temperature. A large increase in the amplitude of perturbations occurs when the friction coefficient increases with temperature. This has to be taken into account when constructing models of warm inflation. New results are also given for the thermal fluctuations in the weak regime of warm inflation when the friction coefficient is relatively small.

warm inflation
coefficient
density fluctuation
inflaton field
dissipative coefficient


Cosmography and constraints on the equation of state of the Universe in various parametrizations

Abstract: We use cosmography to present constraints on the kinematics of the Universe, without postulating any underlying theoretical model. To this end, we use a Monte Carlo Markov Chain analysis to perform comparisons to the supernova Ia Union 2 compilation, combined with the Hubble Space Telescope measurements of the Hubble constant, and the Hubble parameter datasets. We introduce a sixth order cosmographic parameter and show that it does not enlarge considerably the posterior distribution when comparing to the fifth order results. We also propose a way to construct viable parameter variables to be used as alternatives of the redshift z. These can overcome both the problems of divergence and lack of accuracy associated with the use of z. Moreover, we show that it is possible to improve the numerical fits by re-parameterizing the cosmological distances. In addition, we constrain the equation of state of the Universe as a whole by the use of cosmography. Thus, we derive expressions which can be directly used to fit the equation of state and the pressure derivatives up to fourth order. To this end, it is necessary to depart from a pure cosmographic analysis and to assume the Friedmann equations as valid. All our results are consistent with the ΛCDM model, although alternative fluid models, with nearly constant pressure and no cosmological constant, match the results accurately as well.

redshift
cosmography
gravity
cosmic fluid
extended theories


Conversion Measure of Faraday Rotation-Conversion with application to Fast Radio Bursts

Abstract: Faraday Rotation-Conversion is the simultaneous rotation of all three Stokes polarization parameters Q, U, V as an electromagnetic wave propagates through a magnetized plasma. In this regime the Faraday plasma screen is characterized by more than just a Rotation Measure. We define the Conversion Measure that characterizes the wavelength-dependent conversion between the linear and circular polarization. In a cold plasma, the conversion occurs at the localized regions along the wave's path, where the large-scale magnetic field is perpendicular to the propagation direction. The number of these regions along the line of sight through the screen, and their individual contributions to the conversion measure, can be inferred from the polarization measurements. We argue that the simultaneous measurement of wavelength-dependent linear and circular polarization might give an important insight into the magnetic-field geometry of the Faraday screen in FRB121102 and other repeating Fast Radio Bursts.

faraday rotation-conversion
fast radio bursts
conversion measure


Sterile neutrino dark matter bounds from galaxies of the Local Group

Abstract: We show that the canonical oscillation-based (non-resonant) production of sterile neutrino dark matter is inconsistent at >99 observations of galaxies in the Local Group. We set lower limits on the non-resonant sterile neutrino mass of 2.5 keV (equivalent to 0.7 keV thermal mass) using phase-space densities derived for dwarf satellite galaxies of the Milky Way, as well as limits of 8.8 keV (equivalent to 1.8 keV thermal mass) based on subhalo counts of N-body simulations of M 31 analogues. Combined with improved upper mass limits derived from significantly deeper X-ray data of M 31 with full consideration for background variations, we show that there remains little room for non-resonant production if sterile neutrinos are to explain 100 non-oscillation sterile neutrino production remain viable mechanisms for generating sufficient dark matter sterile neutrinos.

neutrino
dark matter
dwarf satellite galaxy


Relativistic N-body simulations with massive neutrinos

Abstract: Some of the dark matter in the Universe is made up of massive neutrinos. Their impact on the formation of large scale structure can be used to determine their absolute mass scale from cosmology, but to this end accurate numerical simulations have to be developed. Due to their relativistic nature, neutrinos pose additional challenges when one tries to include them in N-body simulations that are traditionally based on Newtonian physics. Here we present the first numerical study of massive neutrinos that uses a fully relativistic approach. Our N-body code, gevolution, is based on a weak-field formulation of general relativity that naturally provides a self-consistent framework for relativistic particle species. This allows us to model neutrinos from first principles, without invoking any ad-hoc recipes. Our simulation suite comprises some of the largest neutrino simulations performed to date. We study the effect of massive neutrinos on the nonlinear power spectra and the halo mass function, focusing on the interesting mass range between 0.06 eV and 0.3 eV and including a case for an inverted mass hierarchy.

massive neutrino
n-body code
general relativity


All-sky search for continuous gravitational waves from isolated neutron stars using Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo O3 data

Abstract: We present results of an all-sky search for continuous gravitational waves which can be produced by spinning neutron stars with an asymmetry around their rotation axis, using data from the third observing run of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. Four different analysis methods are used to search in a gravitational-wave frequency band from 10 to 2048 Hz and a first frequency derivative from -10^-8 to 10^-9 Hz/s. No statistically-significant periodic gravitational-wave signal is observed by any of the four searches. As a result, upper limits on the gravitational-wave strain amplitude h_0 are calculated. The best upper limits are obtained in the frequency range of 100 to 200 Hz and they are ∼1.1×10^-25 at 95% confidence-level. The minimum upper limit of 1.10×10^-25 is achieved at a frequency 111.5 Hz. We also place constraints on the rates and abundances of nearby planetary- and asteroid-mass primordial black holes that could give rise to continuous gravitational-wave signals.

gravitational wave
neutron star
all-sky search


PeV neutrinos from interactions of cosmic rays with the interstellar medium in the Galaxy

Abstract: We present a self-consistent interpretation of the of very-high-energy neutrino signal from the direction of the inner Galaxy, which is a part of the astronomical neutrino signal reported by IceCube. We demonstrate that an estimate of the neutrino flux in the E>100 TeV energy range lies at the high-energy power-law extrapolation of the spectrum of diffuse gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Ridge, as observed by Fermi telescope. This suggests that IceCube neutrino and Fermi/LAT gamma-ray fluxes are both produced in interactions of cosmic rays with the interstellar medium in the Norma arm and/or in the Galactic Bar. Cosmic rays responsible for the gamma-ray and neutrino flux are characterised by hard spectrum with the slope harder than -2.4 and cut-off energy higher than 10 PeV.

interstellar medium
galaxy
neutrino flux
fermi telescope
gamma-ray flux


Is there further evidence for spatial variation of fundamental constants?

Abstract: The detection of a spatial variation of the fine-structure constant, alpha, based on study of quasar absorption systems has recently been reported. The physics that causes this alpha-variation should have other observable manifestations, and this motivates us to look for complementary astrophysical effects. In this paper we propose a method to test whether spatial variation of fundamental constants existed during the epoch of big bang nucleosynthesis. Using existing measurements of primordial deuterium abundance we find very weak indications that such a signature might exist, but the paucity of measurements precludes any firm conclusion. We also examine existing quasar absorption spectra data that are sensitive to variation of the electron-to-proton mass ratio, mu, and x = (alpha^2 mu g_p) for spatial variation.

spatial variation
fundamental constant
fine structure


Equilateral Non-Gaussianity and New Physics on the Horizon

Abstract: We examine the effective theory of single-field inflation in the limit where the scalar perturbations propagate with a small speed of sound. In this case the non-linearly realized time-translation symmetry of the Lagrangian implies large interactions, giving rise to primordial non-Gaussianities. When the non-Gaussianities are measurable, these interactions will become strongly coupled unless new physics appears close to the Hubble scale. Due to its proximity to the Hubble scale, the new physics is not necessarily decoupled from inflationary observables and can potentially affect the predictions of the model. To understand the types of corrections that may arise, we construct weakly-coupled completions of the theory and study their observational signatures.

new physics
effective theory
slow-roll
coupling scale


Covariant multi-galileons and their generalisation

Abstract: We find a covariant completion of the flat-space multi-galileon theory, preserving second-order field equations. We then generalise this to arrive at an enlarged class of second order theories describing multiple scalars and a single tensor, and conjecture that these are a multi-scalar version of Horndeski's most general scalar-tensor theory.

multi-galileon
second-order field equation
scalar-tensor theory


Nonlinear relativistic corrections to cosmological distances, redshift and gravitational lensing magnification. II - Derivation

Abstract: We present a derivation of the cosmological distance-redshift relation up to second order in perturbation theory. In addition, we find the observed redshift and the lensing magnification to second order. We do not require that the density contrast is small, we only that the metric potentials and peculiar velocities are small. Thus our results apply into the nonlinear regime, and can be used for most dark energy models. We present the results in a form which can be readily computed in an N-body simulation. This paper accompanies arXiv:1207.2109, where the key results are summarised in a physically transparent form and applications are discussed.

redshift
magnification
perturbation theory


Weyl-Cartan-Weitzenböck gravity through Lagrange multiplier

Abstract: We consider an extension of the Weyl-Cartan-Weitzenböck (WCW) and teleparallel gravity, in which the Weitzenböck condition of the exact cancellation of curvature and torsion in a Weyl-Cartan geometry is inserted into the gravitational action via a Lagrange multiplier. In the standard metric formulation of the WCW model, the flatness of the space-time is removed by imposing the Weitzenböck condition in the Weyl-Cartan geometry, where the dynamical variables are the space-time metric, the Weyl vector and the torsion tensor, respectively. However, once the Weitzenböck condition is imposed on the Weyl-Cartan space-time, the metric is not dynamical, and the gravitational dynamics and evolution is completely determined by the torsion tensor. We show how to resolve this difficulty, and generalize the WCW model, by imposing the Weitzenböck condition on the action of the gravitational field through a Lagrange multiplier. The gravitational field equations are obtained from the variational principle, and they explicitly depend on the Lagrange multiplier. As a particular model we consider the case of the Riemann-Cartan space-times with zero non-metricity, which mimics the teleparallel theory of gravity. The Newtonian limit of the model is investigated, and a generalized Poisson equation is obtained, with the weak field gravitational potential explicitly depending on the Lagrange multiplier and on the Weyl vector. The cosmological implications of the theory are also studied, and three classes of exact cosmological models are considered.

gravity
lagrange
weitzenböck condition
weyl-cartan geometry
weyl-cartan-weitzenböck


Light rings as observational evidence for event horizons: long-lived modes, ergoregions and nonlinear instabilities of ultracompact objects

Abstract: Ultracompact objects are self-gravitating systems with a light ring. It was recently suggested that fluctuations in the background of these objects are extremely long-lived and might turn unstable at the nonlinear level, if the object is not endowed with a horizon. If correct, this result has important consequences: objects with a light ring are black holes. In other words, the nonlinear instability of ultracompact stars would provide a strong argument in favor of the "black hole hypothesis," once electromagnetic or gravitational-wave observations confirm the existence of light rings. Here we explore in some depth the mode structure of ultracompact stars, in particular constant-density stars and gravastars. We show that the existence of very long-lived modes – localized near a second, stable null geodesic – is a generic feature of gravitational perturbations of such configurations. Already at the linear level, such modes become unstable if the object rotates sufficiently fast to develop an ergoregion. Finally, we conjecture that the long-lived modes become unstable under fragmentation via a Dyson-Chandrasekhar-Fermi mechanism at the nonlinear level. Depending on the structure of the star, it is also possible that nonlinearities lead to the formation of small black holes close to the stable light ring. Our results suggest that the mere observation of a light ring is a strong evidence for the existence of black holes.

long-lived mode
nonlinear instability
black hole
light ring
ultra-compact object


Prospects for determination of thermal history after inflation with future gravitational wave detectors

Abstract: Thermal history of the Universe between inflation and big-bang nucleosynthesis has not yet been revealed observationally. It will be probed by the detection of primordial gravitational waves generated during inflation, which contain information on the reheating temperature as well as the equation of state of the Universe after inflation. Based on Fisher information formalism, we examine how accurately the tensor-to-scalar ratio and reheating temperature after inflation can be simultaneously determined with space-based gravitational wave detectors such as the DECI-hertz Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (DECIGO) and the Big-Bang Observer (BBO). We show that the reheating temperature is best determined if it is around 10^7 GeV for tensor-to-scalar ratio of around 0.1, and explore the detectable parameter space. We also find that equation of state of the early Universe can be also determined accurately enough to distinguish different equation-of-state parameters if the inflationary gravitational waves are successfully detected. Thus future gravitational wave detectors provide a unique and promising opportunity to reveal the thermal history of the Universe around 10^7 GeV.

thermal history
gravitational wave detector
universe


The H_0 Olympics: A fair ranking of proposed models

Abstract: Despite the remarkable success of the ΛCold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model, a growing discrepancy has emerged (currently measured at the level of ∼ 4-6 σ) between the value of the Hubble constant H_0 measured using the local distance ladder and the value inferred using the cosmic microwave background and galaxy surveys. While a vast array of ΛCDM extensions have been proposed to explain these discordant observations, understanding the (relative) success of these models in resolving the tension has proven difficult – this is a direct consequence of the fact that each model has been subjected to differing, and typically incomplete, compilations of cosmological data. In this review, we attempt to make a systematic comparison of sixteen different models which have been proposed to resolve the H_0 tension (spanning both early- and late-Universe solutions), and quantify the relative success of each using a series of metrics and a vast array of data combinations. Owing to the timely appearance of this article, we refer to this contest as the ”H_0 Olympics”; the goal being to identify which of the proposed solutions, and more broadly which underlying mechanisms, are most likely to be responsible for explaining the observed discrepancy (should unaccounted for systematics not be the culprit). This work also establishes a foundation of tests which will allow the success of novel proposals to be meaningful ”benchmarked”.

h_0 olympics
discrepancy
hubble tension
cmb data
universe


Non-singular quantum-inspired gravitational collapse

Abstract: We consider general relativistic homogeneous gravitational collapses for dust and radiation. We show that replacing the density profile with an effective density justified by some quantum gravity framework leads to the avoidance of the final singularity. The effective density acts on the collapsing cloud by introducing an isotropic pressure, which is negligible at the beginning of the collapse and becomes negative and dominant in the strong field regime. Event horizons never form and therefore the outcome of the collapse is not a black hole, in the sense that there are no regions causally disconnected from future null infinity. Apparent horizons form when the mass of the object exceeds a critical value, disappear when the matter density approaches an upper bound and gravity becomes very weak (asymptotic freedom regime), form again after the bounce as a consequence of the decrease in the matter density, and eventually disappear when the density becomes too low and the matter is radiated away. The possibility of detecting radiation coming from the high density region of a collapsing astrophysical object in which classically there would be the creation of a singularity could open a new window to experimentally test theories of quantum gravity.

collapse
gravity
strong field regime
black hole


First constraints on the intrinsic CMB dipole and our velocity with Doppler and aberration

Abstract: We test the usual hypothesis that the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) dipole, its largest anisotropy, is due to our peculiar velocity with respect to the Hubble flow by measuring independently the Doppler and aberration effects on the CMB using Planck 2018 data. We remove the spurious contributions from the conversion of intensity into temperature and arrive at measurements which are independent from the CMB dipole itself for both temperature and polarization maps and both SMICA and NILC component-separation methods. Combining these new measurements with the dipole one we get the first constraints on the intrinsic CMB dipole. Assuming a standard dipolar lensing contribution we can put an upper limit on the intrinsic amplitude: 3.7 mK (95 CI). We estimate the peculiar velocity of the solar system without assuming a negligible intrinsic dipole contribution: v = (300^+111_-93) km/s with (l,b) = (276 ± 33, 51 ± 19)^∘ [SMICA], and v = (296^+111_-88) km/s with (l,b) = (280 ± 33, 50 ± 20)^∘ [NILC] with negligible systematic contributions. These values are consistent with the peculiar velocity hypothesis of the dipole.


Are loop quantum cosmos never singular?

Abstract: A unified treatment of all known types of singularities for flat, isotropic and homogeneous spacetimes in the framework of loop quantum cosmology (LQC) is presented. These include bangs, crunches and all future singularities. Using effective spacetime description we perform a model independent general analysis of the properties of curvature, behavior of geodesics and strength of singularities. For illustration purposes a phenomenological model based analysis is also performed. We show that all values of the scale factor at which a strong singularity may occur are excluded from the effective loop quantum spacetime. Further, if the evolution leads to either a vanishing or divergent scale factor then the loop quantum universe is asymptotically deSitter in that regime. We also show that there exist a class of sudden extremal events, which includes a recently discussed possibility, for which the curvature or its derivatives will always diverge. Such events however turn out to be harmless weak curvature singularities beyond which geodesics can be extended. Our results point towards a generic resolution of physical singularities in LQC.

loop quantum cosmology
curvature singularity
matter bounce scenario


Formation of Supermassive Black Holes

Abstract: Evidence shows that massive black holes reside in most local galaxies. Studies have also established a number of relations between the MBH mass and properties of the host galaxy such as bulge mass and velocity dispersion. These results suggest that central MBHs, while much less massive than the host ( 0.1 cosmologies, a single big galaxy today can be traced back to the stage when it was split up in hundreds of smaller components. Did MBH seeds form with the same efficiency in small proto-galaxies, or did their formation had to await the buildup of substantial galaxies with deeper potential wells? I briefly review here some of the physical processes that are conducive to the evolution of the massive black hole population. I will discuss black hole formation processes for `seed' black holes that are likely to place at early cosmic epochs, and possible observational tests of these scenarios.

black hole
cosmology
accretion
galactic nucleus


Extended vector-tensor theories

Abstract: Recently, several extensions of massive vector theory in curved space-time have been proposed in many literatures. In this paper, we consider the most general vector-tensor theories that contain up to two derivatives with respect to metric and vector field. By imposing a degeneracy condition of the Lagrangian in the context of ADM decomposition of space-time to eliminate an unwanted mode, we construct a new class of massive vector theories where five degrees of freedom can propagate, corresponding to three for massive vector modes and two for massless tensor modes. We find that the generalized Proca and the beyond generalized Proca theories up to the quartic Lagrangian, which should be included in this formulation, are degenerate theories even in curved space-time. Finally, introducing new metric and vector field transformations, we investigate the properties of thus obtained theories under such transformations.

vector-tensor theory
generalized proca theory
second-order domain


The Best Inflationary Models After Planck

Abstract: We compute the Bayesian evidence and complexity of 193 slow-roll single-field models of inflation using the Planck 2013 Cosmic Microwave Background data, with the aim of establishing which models are favoured from a Bayesian perspective. Our calculations employ a new numerical pipeline interfacing an inflationary effective likelihood with the slow-roll library ASPIC and the nested sampling algorithm MULTINEST. The models considered represent a complete and systematic scan of the entire landscape of inflationary scenarios proposed so far. Our analysis singles out the most probable models (from an Occam's razor point of view) that are compatible with Planck data, while ruling out with very strong evidence 34 models that are favoured by the Bayesian evidence, corresponding to 15 different potential shapes. If the Bayesian complexity is included in the analysis, only 9 different potential shapes. These shapes are all of the plateau type.

inflationary model
simple model
cosmic inflation


WIMPless dark matter and the excess gamma rays from the Galactic center

Abstract: In this paper we discuss the excess gamma rays from the Galactic center, the WMAP haze and the CoGeNT and DAMA results in WIMPless models. At the same time we also investigate the low energy constraints from the anomalous magnetic moment of leptons and from some lepton flavor violating decays. It is found that, for scalar or vector WIMPless dark matter, neither the WMAP haze nor the CoGeNT and DAMA observations could be explained simultaneously with the excess gamma rays from the Galactic center. As to fermion WIMPless dark matter, it is only marginally possible to accommodate the CoGeNT and DAMA results with the excess gamma rays from the Galactic center with vector connector fields. On the other hand, only scalar connector fields could interpret the WMAP haze concerning the constraints of anomalous magnetic moment of leptons. Furthermore, if there is only one connector field for all the charged leptons, some lepton flavor violating decays could happen with too large branching ratios severely violating the experimental bounds.

dark matter
excess gamma ray
galactic center
thermal relic density


Annihilation vs. Decay: Constraining dark matter properties from a gamma-ray detection

Abstract: Most proposed dark matter candidates are stable and are produced thermally in the early Universe. However, there is also the possibility of unstable (but long-lived) dark matter, produced thermally or otherwise. We propose a strategy to distinguish between dark matter annihilation and/or decay in the case that a clear signal is detected in gamma-ray observations of Milky Way dwarf spheroidal galaxies with gamma-ray experiments. The sole measurement of the energy spectrum of an indirect signal would render the discrimination between these cases impossible. We show that by examining the dependence of the intensity and energy spectrum on the angular distribution of the emission, the origin could be identified as decay, annihilation, or both. In addition, once the type of signal is established, we show how these measurements could help to extract information about the dark matter properties, including mass, annihilation cross section, lifetime, dominant annihilation and decay channels, and the presence of substructure. Although an application of the approach presented here would likely be feasible with current experiments only for very optimistic dark matter scenarios, the improved sensitivity of upcoming experiments could enable this technique to be used to study a wider range of dark matter models.

dark matter property
gamma-ray experiment
annihilation


A loophole to the universal photon spectrum in electromagnetic cascades: application to the "cosmological lithium problem"

Abstract: The standard theory of electromagnetic cascades onto a photon background predicts a quasi-universal shape for the resulting non-thermal photon spectrum. This has been applied to very disparate fields, including non-thermal big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN). However, once the energy of the injected photons falls below the pair-production threshold the spectral shape is very different, a fact that has been overlooked in past literature. This loophole may have important phenomenological consequences, since it generically alters the BBN bounds on non-thermal relics: for instance it allows to re-open the possibility of purely electromagnetic solutions to the so-called "cosmological lithium problem", which were thought to be excluded by other cosmological constraints. We show this with a proof-of-principle example and a simple particle physics model, compared with previous literature.

photon
cosmological lithium problem
physics solution


Radio detection of cosmic ray air showers in the digital era

Abstract: In 1965 it was discovered that cosmic ray air showers emit impulsive radio signals at frequencies below 100 MHz. After a period of intense research in the 1960s and 1970s, however, interest in the detection technique faded almost completely. With the availability of powerful digital signal processing techniques, new attempts at measuring cosmic ray air showers via their radio emission were started at the beginning of the new millennium. Starting with modest, small-scale digital prototype setups, the field has evolved, matured and grown very significantly in the past decade. Today's second-generation digital radio detection experiments consist of up to hundreds of radio antennas or cover areas of up to 17 km^2. We understand the physics of the radio emission in extensive air showers in detail and have developed analysis strategies to accurately derive from radio signals parameters which are related to the astrophysics of the primary cosmic ray particles, in particular their energy, arrival direction and estimators for their mass. In parallel to these successes, limitations inherent in the physics of the radio signals have also become increasingly clear. In this article, we review the progress of the past decade and the current state of the field, discuss the current paradigm of the radio emission physics and present the experimental evidence supporting it. Finally, we discuss the potential for future applications of the radio detection technique to advance the field of cosmic ray physics.

ray air shower
radio detection
air-shower


Testing the Kerr Nature of Black Hole Candidates using Iron Line Spectra in the CPR Framework

Abstract: The iron Kα line commonly observed in the X-ray spectrum of both stellar-mass and supermassive black hole candidates originates from X-ray fluorescence of the inner accretion disk. Accordingly, it can be used to map the spacetime geometry around these objects. In this paper, we extend previous work using the iron Kα line to test the Kerr black hole hypothesis. We adopt the Cardoso-Pani-Rico parametrization and we test the possibility of constraining possible deviations from the Kerr solution that can be obtained from observations across the range of black hole spins and inclination angles. We confirm previous claims that the iron Kα line is potentially a quite powerful probe for testing the Kerr metric given sufficiently high quality data and with systematics under control, especially in the case of fast-rotating black holes and high inclination angles since both conditions serve to maximize relativistic effects. We find that some geometric perturbations from Kerr geometry manifest more strongly in the iron line profile than others. While the perturbation parameter ϵ^t_3 can be well constrained by the iron line profile, an orthogonal data set is necessary to constrain departures from Kerr geometry in ϵ^r_3.

black hole
accretion disk
astrophysical model


How Far Are We from the Quantum Theory of Gravity?

Abstract: I give a pedagogical explanation of what it is about quantization that makes general relativity go from being a nearly perfect classical theory to a very problematic quantum one. I also explain why some quantization of gravity is unavoidable, why quantum field theories have divergences, why the divergences of quantum general relativity are worse than those of the other forces, what physicists think this means and what they might do with a consistent theory of quantum gravity if they had one. Finally, I discuss the quantum gravitational data that have recently become available from cosmology.


Cosmological constraints on axionic dark radiation from axion-photon conversion in the early Universe

Abstract: Axions seem ubiquitous in string theories and some of them may be produced non-thermally by heavy scalar decays, contributing to dark radiation. We study various cosmological effects of photons produced from the axionic dark radiation through axion-photon conversion in the presence of primordial magnetic fields, and derive tight constraints on the combination of the axion-photon coupling and the primordial magnetic field.

axionic dark radiation
dark radiation
early universe
primordial magnetic field


Time-Sliced Perturbation Theory II: Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and Infrared Resummation

Abstract: We use time-sliced perturbation theory (TSPT) to give an accurate description of the infrared non-linear effects affecting the baryonic acoustic oscillations (BAO) present in the distribution of matter at very large scales. In TSPT this can be done via a systematic resummation that has a simple diagrammatic representation and does not involve uncontrollable approximations. We discuss the power counting rules and derive explicit expressions for the resummed matter power spectrum up to next-to leading order and the bispectrum at the leading order. The two-point correlation function agrees well with N-body data at BAO scales. The systematic approach also allows to reliably assess the shift of the baryon acoustic peak due to non-linear effects.

perturbation theory
baryon
ir-resummation


Host galaxies of merging compact objects: mass, star formation rate, metallicity and colours

Abstract: Characterizing the properties of the host galaxies of merging compact objects provides essential clues to interpret current and future gravitational-wave detections. Here, we investigate the stellar mass, star formation rate (SFR), metallicity and colours of the host galaxies of merging compact objects in the local Universe, by combining the results of MOBSE population-synthesis models together with galaxy catalogs from the EAGLE simulation. We predict that the stellar mass of the host galaxy is an excellent tracer of the merger rate per galaxy n_ GW of double neutron stars (DNSs), double black holes (DBHs) and black hole-neutron star binaries (BHNSs). We find a significant correlation also between n_ GW and SFR. As a consequence, n_ GW correlates also with the r-band luminosity and with the g-r colour of the host galaxies. Interestingly, ≳60 and ≳73 Universe lie in early-type galaxies, such as NGC 4993. We predict a local DNS merger rate density of ∼238 Gpc^-3 yr ^-1 and a DNS merger rate ∼16-121 Myr^-1 for Milky Way-like galaxies. Thus, our results are consistent with both the DNS merger rate inferred from GW170817 and the one inferred from Galactic DNSs.

star formation rate
metallicity
host galaxy


A new chronology for the Moon and Mercury

Abstract: In this paper we present a new method for dating the surface of the Moon, obtained by modeling the incoming flux of impactors and converting it into a size distribution of resulting craters. We compare the results from this model with the standard chronology for the Moon showing their similarities and discrepancies. In particular, we find indications of a non-constant impactor flux in the last 500 Myr and also discuss the implications of our findings for the Late Heavy Bombardment hypothesis. We also show the potential of our model for accurate dating of other inner Solar System bodies, by applying it to Mercury.


Frame independent cosmological perturbations

Abstract: We compute the third order gauge invariant action for scalar-graviton interactions in the Jordan frame. We demonstrate that the gauge invariant action for scalar and tensor perturbations on one physical hypersurface only differs from that on another physical hypersurface via terms proportional to the equation of motion and boundary terms, such that the evolution of non-Gaussianity may be called unique. Moreover, we demonstrate that the gauge invariant curvature perturbation and graviton on uniform field hypersurfaces in the Jordan frame are equal to their counterparts in the Einstein frame. These frame independent perturbations are therefore particularly useful in relating results in different frames at the perturbative level. On the other hand, the field perturbation and graviton on uniform curvature hypersurfaces in the Jordan and Einstein frame are non-linearly related, as are their corresponding actions and n-point functions.


Dark Matter Self-interactions and Small Scale Structure

Abstract: We review theories of dark matter (DM) beyond the collisionless paradigm, known as self-interacting dark matter (SIDM), and their observable implications for astrophysical structure in the Universe. Self-interactions are motivated, in part, due to the potential to explain long-standing (and more recent) small scale structure observations that are in tension with collisionless cold DM (CDM) predictions. Simple particle physics models for SIDM can provide a universal explanation for these observations across a wide range of mass scales spanning dwarf galaxies, low and high surface brightness spiral galaxies, and clusters of galaxies. At the same time, SIDM leaves intact the success of ΛCDM cosmology on large scales. This report covers the following topics: (1) small scale structure issues, including the core-cusp problem, the diversity problem for rotation curves, the missing satellites problem, and the too-big-to-fail problem, as well as recent progress in hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy formation; (2) N-body simulations for SIDM, including implications for density profiles, halo shapes, substructure, and the interplay between baryons and self-interactions; (3) semi-analytic Jeans-based methods that provide a complementary approach for connecting particle models with observations; (4) merging systems, such as cluster mergers (e.g., the Bullet Cluster) and minor infalls, along with recent simulation results for mergers; (5) particle physics models, including light mediator models and composite DM models; and (6) complementary probes for SIDM, including indirect and direct detection experiments, particle collider searches, and cosmological observations. We provide a summary and critical look for all current constraints on DM self-interactions and an outline for future directions.

small scale structure
dwarf galaxy
cosmology
dark matter
dark sector


The trouble with Hubble: Local versus global expansion rates in inhomogeneous cosmological simulations with numerical relativity

Abstract: In a fully inhomogeneous, anisotropic cosmological simulation performed by solving Einstein's equations with numerical relativity, we find a local measurement of the effective Hubble parameter differs by less than 1% compared to the global value. This variance is consistent with predictions from Newtonian gravity. We analyse the averaged local expansion rate on scales comparable to Type 1a supernova surveys, and find that local variance cannot resolve the tension between the <cit.> and <cit.> measurements.

expansion rate
cosmological simulation
numerical relativity


First Dark Matter Results from the XENON100 Experiment

Abstract: The XENON100 experiment, in operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy, is designed to search for dark matter WIMPs scattering off 62 kg of liquid xenon in an ultra-low background dual-phase time projection chamber. In this letter, we present first dark matter results from the analysis of 11.17 live days of non-blind data, acquired in October and November 2009. In the selected fiducial target of 40 kg, and within the pre-defined signal region, we observe no events and hence exclude spin-independent WIMP-nucleon elastic scattering cross-sections above 3.4 x 10^-44 cm^2 for 55 GeV/c^2 WIMPs at 90 interpretation of the CoGeNT and DAMA signals as being due to spin-independent, elastic, light mass WIMP interactions.

dark matter
matter result
xenon100 experiment
massive particle


The Lagrangian description of perfect fluids and modified gravity with an extra force

Abstract: We revisit the issue of the correct Lagrangian description of a perfect fluid (pressure versus minus energy density) in relation with modified gravity theories in which galactic luminous matter couples nonminimally to the Ricci scalar. These Lagrangians are only equivalent when the fluid couples minimally to gravity and not otherwise; in the presence of nonminimal coupling they give rise to two distinct theories with different predictions.

lagrangian description
perfect fluid
gravity


Bounds on self-interacting fermion dark matter from observations of old neutron stars

Abstract: The existence of old neutron stars deeply constrains self-interacting fermion dark matter, which can form star-killing black holes. We quantify this constraint on dark matter-nucleon scattering, considering collapse scenarios that broaden bounds over intermediate masses. We then find the self- and co-annihilation rates necessary to lift these dark matter-nucleon scattering bounds. For Yukawa-coupled dark matter that fits dwarf galaxy halo profiles with a coupling α = 10^-1-10^-4, a scalar mediator mass m_ϕ = 1-500 MeV, and DM mass m_X = 0.1-10^7 GeV, we show that fermion dark matter is unconstrained if it self-annihilates at a rate greater than 10^-40 cm^3/s or co-annihilates with baryons at a rate greater than 10^-50 cm^3/s.

fermion
dark matter
neutron star
black hole


Band-limited Features in the Primordial Power Spectrum Do Not Resolve the Hubble Tension

Abstract: For a standard ΛCDM universe with a power-law primordial power spectrum, the discrepancy between early- and late-universe measurements of the Hubble constant continued to grow and recently reached 5.3σ. During inflation, local features in the inflationary potential often lead to band-limited features in the primordial power spectrum, hence breaking the power-law assumption in the derivation of the Hubble tension. We investigate whether such inflationary "glitches" can ease the Hubble tension. The recently released Planck temperature and polarization data and the 2019 SH0ES+H0LiCOW joint constraint on the Hubble constant are combined to drive a blind Daubechies wavelet signal search in the primordial power spectrum, up to a resolution Δln k∼ 0.1. We find no significant detection of any features beyond power law. With 64 more degrees of freedom injected in the primordial power spectrum, the Hubble tension persists at a 4.9σ level.

primordial power spectrum
hubble tension
band-limited feature


Galactic Dark Matter in the Phantom Field

Abstract: We investigate the possibility that the galactic dark matter exists in an scenario where the phantom field is responsible for the dark energy. We obtain the statically and spherically approximate solution for this kind of the galaxy system with a supermassive black hole at its center. The solution of the metric functions is satisfied with g_tt = - g_rr^-1. Constrained by the observation of the rotational stars moving in circular orbits with nearly constant tangential speed in a spiral galaxy, the background of the phantom field which is spatially inhomogeneous has an exponential potential. To avoid the well-known quantum instability of the vacuum at high frequencies, the phantom field defined in an effective theory is valid only at low energies. Under this assumption, we further investigate the following properties. The absorption cross section of the low-energy S-wave excitations of the phantom field into the central black hole is shown to be the horizontal area of the central black hole. Because the infalling phantom particles have a total negative energy, the accretion of the phantom energy is related to the decrease of the black hole mass which is estimated to be much less than a solar mass in the lifetime of the Universe. Using a simple model with the cold dark matter very weakly coupled to the "low-frequency" phantom particles which are generated from the background, we show that these two densities can be quasi-stable in the galaxy.

phantom field
dark energy
black hole
galactic dark matter


Gravitational waves from single neutron stars: an advanced detector era survey

Abstract: With the doors beginning to swing open on the new gravitational wave astronomy, this review provides an up-to-date survey of the most important physical mechanisms that could lead to emission of potentially detectable gravitational radiation from isolated and accreting neutron stars. In particular we discuss the gravitational wave-driven instability and asteroseismology formalism of the f- and r-modes, the different ways that a neutron star could form and sustain a non-axisymmetric quadrupolar "mountain" deformation, the excitation of oscillations during magnetar flares and the possible gravitational wave signature of pulsar glitches. We focus on progress made in the recent years in each topic, make a fresh assessment of the gravitational wave detectability of each mechanism and, finally, highlight key problems and desiderata for future work.

neutron star
radiation
r-mode
oscillation
gravitational wave


Cosmological simulations of galaxy clusters

Abstract: We review recent progress in the description of the formation and evolution of galaxy clusters in a cosmological context by using numerical simulations. We focus our presentation on the comparison between simulated and observed X-ray properties, while we will also discuss numerical predictions on properties of the galaxy population in clusters. Many of the salient observed properties of clusters, such as X-ray scaling relations, radial profiles of entropy and density of the intracluster gas, and radial distribution of galaxies are reproduced quite well. In particular, the outer regions of cluster at radii beyond about 10 per cent of the virial radius are quite regular and exhibit scaling with mass remarkably close to that expected in the simplest case in which only the action of gravity determines the evolution of the intra-cluster gas. However, simulations generally fail at reproducing the observed cool-core structure of clusters: simulated clusters generally exhibit a significant excess of gas cooling in their central regions, which causes an overestimate of the star formation and incorrect temperature and entropy profiles. The total baryon fraction in clusters is below the mean universal value, by an amount which depends on the cluster-centric distance and the physics included in the simulations, with interesting tensions between observed stellar and gas fractions in clusters and predictions of simulations. Besides their important implications for the cosmological application of clusters, these puzzles also point towards the important role played by additional physical processes, beyond those already included in the simulations. We review the role played by these processes, along with the difficulty for their implementation, and discuss the outlook for the future progress in numerical modeling of clusters.

galaxy cluster
baryon fraction
cosmological simulation


Constraints on neutrino mass in the scenario of vacuum energy interacting with cold dark matter after Planck 2018

Abstract: In this work, we investigate the constraints on the total neutrino mass in the scenario of vacuum energy interacting with cold dark matter (abbreviated as IΛCDM) by using the latest cosmological observations. We consider four typical interaction forms, i.e., Q=β H ρ_ de, Q=β H ρ_ c, Q=β H_0ρ_ de, and Q=β H_0ρ_ c, in the IΛCDM scenario. To avoid the large-scale instability problem in interacting dark energy models, we employ the extended parameterized post-Friedmann method for interacting dark energy to calculate the perturbation evolution of dark energy in these models. The observational data used in this work include the cosmic microwave background (CMB) measurements from the Planck 2018 data release, the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) data, the type Ia supernovae (SN) observation (Pantheon compilation), and the 2019 local distance ladder measurement of the Hubble constant H_0 from the Hubble Space Telescope. We find that, compared with those in the ΛCDM+∑ m_ν model, the constrains on ∑ m_ν are looser in the four IΛCDM+∑ m_ν models. When considering the three mass hierarchies of neutrinos, the constraints on ∑ m_ν are tightest in the degenerate hierarchy case and loosest in the inverted hierarchy case. In addition, in the four IΛCDM+∑ m_ν models, the values of coupling parameter β are larger using the CMB+BAO+SN+H_0 data combination than that using the CMB+BAO+SN data combination, and β>0 is favored at more than 1σ level when using CMB+BAO+SN+H_0 data combination. The issue of the H_0 tension is also discussed in this paper. We find that, compared with the ΛCDM+∑ m_ν model, the H_0 tension can be alleviated in the IΛCDM+∑ m_ν model to some extent.


Inherently stable effective field theory for dark energy and modified gravity

Abstract: The growing wealth of cosmological observations places increasingly more stringent constraints on dark energy and alternative gravity models. Particularly successful in efficiently probing the vast model space has been the effective field theory of dark energy and modified gravity, providing a unified framework for generalised cosmological predictions. However, the optimal parametrisation of the free time-dependent functions inherent to the formalism is still unresolved. It should respect a multitude of requirements, ranging from simplicity, generality, and representativity of known theories to computational efficiency. But in particular, for theoretical soundness, the parameter space should adhere to strict stability requirements. We have recently proposed an inherently stable effective field theory with physical basis of Planck mass evolution, sound speed of the scalar field fluctuation, kinetic coefficient, and background expansion, which covers Horndeski models with luminal speed of gravity. Here we devise a parametrisation of these basis functions that can straightforwardly be configured to evade theoretical pathologies such as ghost or gradient instabilities or to accommodate further theoretical priors such as (sub)luminal scalar sound speed. The parametrisation is simple yet general, conveniently represents a broad range of known dark energy and gravitational theories, and with a simple additional approximation can be rendered numerically highly efficient. Finally, by operating in our new basis, we show that there are no general limitations from stability requirements on the current values that can be assumed by the phenomenological modification of the Poisson equation and the gravitational slip besides the exclusion of anti-gravity. The inherently stable effective field theory is ready for implementation in parameter estimation analyses employing linear cosmological observations.

effective field theory
dark energy
gravity


On Separate Universes

Abstract: (abridged version) The separate universe conjecture states that in General Relativity a density perturbation behaves locally (i.e. on scales much smaller than the wavelength of the mode) as a separate universe with different background density and curvature. We prove this conjecture for a spherical compensated tophat density perturbation of arbitrary amplitude and radius in ΛCDM. We then use Conformal Fermi Coordinates to generalize this result to scalar perturbations of arbitrary configuration and scale. In this case, the separate universe conjecture holds for the isotropic part of the perturbations. The anisotropic part on the other hand is exactly captured by a tidal field in the Newtonian form. We show that the separate universe picture is restricted to scales larger than the sound horizons of all fluid components. We then derive an expression for the locally measured matter bispectrum induced by a long-wavelength mode of arbitrary wavelength. We show that nonlinear gravitational dynamics does not generate observable contributions that scale like local-type non-Gaussianity f_ NL^ loc, and hence does not contribute to a scale-dependent galaxy bias Δ b ∝ k^-2 on large scales; rather, the locally measurable long-short mode coupling assumes a form essentially identical to subhorizon perturbation theory results, once the long-mode density perturbation is replaced by the synchronous-comoving gauge density perturbation. Apparent f_ NL^ loc-type contributions arise through projection effects on photon propagation, which depend on the specific large-scale structure tracer and observable considered, and are in principle distinguishable from the local mode coupling induced by gravity. We conclude that any observation of f_ NL^ loc beyond these projection effects signals a departure from standard single-clock inflation.

universe
non-gaussianity
projection effect
single-field model
consistency relation


Off-equatorial orbits in strong gravitational fields near compact objects – II: halo motion around magnetic compact stars and magnetized black holes

Abstract: Off-equatorial circular orbits with constant latitudes (halo orbits) of electrically charged particles exist near compact objects. In the previous paper, we discussed this kind of motion and demonstrated the existence of minima of the two-dimensional effective potential which correspond to the stable halo orbits. Here, we relax previous assumptions of the pseudo-Newtonian approach for the gravitational field of the central body and study properties of the halo orbits in detail. Within the general relativistic approach, we carry out our calculations in two cases. Firstly, we examine the case of a rotating magnetic compact star. Assuming that the magnetic field axis and the rotation axis are aligned with each other, we study the orientation of motion along the stable halo orbits. In the poloidal plane, we also discuss shapes of the related effective potential halo lobes where the general off-equatorial motion can be bound. Then we focus on the halo orbits near a Kerr black hole immersed in an asymptotically uniform magnetic field of external origin. We demonstrate that, in both the cases considered, the lobes exhibit two different regimes, namely, one where completely disjoint lobes occur symmetrically above and below the equatorial plane, and another where the lobes are joined across the plane. A possible application of the model concerns the structure of putative circumpulsar discs consisting of dust particles. We suggest that the particles can acquire a small (but non-zero) net electric charge, and this drives them to form the halo lobes.

gravitational field
magnetic compact star
off-equatorial orbit


The Habitable Epoch of the Early Universe

Abstract: In the redshift range 100<(1+z)<137, the cosmic microwave background (CMB) had a temperature of 273-373K (0-100 degrees Celsius), allowing early rocky planets (if any existed) to have liquid water chemistry on their surface and be habitable, irrespective of their distance from a star. In the standard LCDM cosmology, the first star-forming halos within our Hubble volume started collapsing at these redshifts, allowing the chemistry of life to possibly begin when the Universe was merely 10-17 million years old. The possibility of life starting when the average matter density was a million times bigger than it is today argues against the anthropic explanation for the low value of the cosmological constant.