Mapping the Universe Expansion: Enabling percent-level measurements of the Hubble Constant with a single binary neutron-star merger detection

Abstract: The joint observation of the gravitational-wave and electromagnetic signal from the binary neutron-star merger GW170817 allowed for a new independent measurement of the Hubble constant H_0, albeit with an uncertainty of about 15% at 1σ. Observations of similar sources with a network of future detectors will allow for more precise measurements of H_0. These, however, are currently largely limited by the intrinsic degeneracy between the luminosity distance and the inclination of the source in the gravitational-wave signal. We show that the higher-order modes in gravitational waves can be used to break this degeneracy in astrophysical parameter estimation in both the inspiral and post-merger phases of a neutron star merger. We show that for systems at distances similar to GW170817, this method enables percent-level measurements of H_0 with a single detection. This would permit the study of time variations and spatial anisotropies of H_0 with unprecedented precision. We investigate how different network configurations affect measurements of H_0, and discuss the implications in terms of science drivers for the proposed 2.5- and third-generation gravitational-wave detectors. Finally, we show that the precision of H_0 measured with these future observatories will be solely limited by redshift measurements of electromagnetic counterparts.

percent-level measurement
hubble constant
gravitational wave


Power spectra in the eikonal approximation with adiabatic and non-adiabatic modes

Abstract: We use the so-called eikonal approximation, recently introduced in the context of cosmological perturbation theory, to compute power spectra for multi-component fluids. We demonstrate that, at any given order in standard perturbation theory, multipoint power spectra do not depend on the large-scale adiabatic modes. Moreover, we employ perturbation theories to decipher how nonadiabatic modes, such as a relative velocity between two different components, damp the small-scale matter power spectrum, a mechanism recently described in the literature. In particular, we do an explicit calculation at 1-loop order of this effect. While the 1-loop result eventually breaks down, we show how the damping effect can be fully captured by the help of the eikonal approximation. A relative velocity not only induces mode damping but also creates large-scale anisotropic modulations of the matter power spectrum amplitude. We illustrate this for the Local Group environment.

eikonal approximation
fluid
relative velocity
power spectra


Transit Photometry as an Exoplanet Discovery Method

Abstract: Photometry with the transit method has arguably been the most successful exoplanet discovery method to date. A short overview about the rise of that method to its present status is given. The method's strength is the rich set of parameters that can be obtained from transiting planets, in particular in combination with radial velocity observations; the basic principles of these parameters are given. The method has however also drawbacks, which are the low probability that transits appear in randomly oriented planet systems, and the presence of astrophysical phenomena that may mimic transits and give rise to false detection positives. In the second part we outline the main factors that determine the design of transit surveys, such as the size of the survey sample, the temporal coverage, the detection precision, the sample brightness and the methods to extract transit events from observed light curves. Lastly, an overview over past, current and future transit surveys is given. For these surveys we indicate their basic instrument configuration and their planet catch, including the ranges of planet sizes and stellar magnitudes that were encountered. Current and future transit detection experiments concentrate primarily on bright or special targets, and we expect that the transit method remains a principal driver of exoplanet science, through new discoveries to be made and through the development of new generations of instruments.

exoplanet discovery method
date
transit event
transit photometry


Chiral Effective Theory of Dark Matter Direct Detection

Abstract: We present the effective field theory for dark matter interactions with the visible sector that is valid at scales of O(1 GeV). Starting with an effective theory describing the interactions of fermionic and scalar dark matter with quarks, gluons and photons via higher dimension operators that would arise from dimension-five and dimension-six operators above electroweak scale, we perform a nonperturbative matching onto a heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory that describes dark matter interactions with light mesons and nucleons. This is then used to obtain the coefficients of the nuclear response functions using a chiral effective theory description of nuclear forces. Our results consistently keep the leading contributions in chiral counting for each of the initial Wilson coefficients.

dark matter
effective field theory
gluon
chiral counting


Dark Atoms: Asymmetry and Direct Detection

Abstract: We present a simple UV completion of Atomic Dark Matter (aDM) in which heavy right-handed neutrinos decay to induce both dark and lepton number densities. This model addresses several outstanding cosmological problems: the matter/anti-matter asymmetry, the dark matter abundance, the number of light degrees of freedom in the early universe, and the smoothing of small-scale structure. Additionally, this realization of aDM may reconcile the CoGeNT excess with recently published null results and predicts a signal in the CRESST Oxygen band. We also find that, due to unscreened long-range interactions, the residual un recombined dark ions settle into a diffuse isothermal halo.


Jet Properties of XTE J1752-223 During its 2009-2010 Outburst

Abstract: Galactic short orbital period black hole candidate (BHC) XTE J1752-223 was discovered on 2009 Oct 21 by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). We study the spectral properties of this outburst using transonic flow solution based two component advective flow (TCAF) model. TCAF model fitted spectrum gives an estimation of the physical flow parameters, such as the Keplerian disk rate, sub-Keplerian halo rate, properties of the so-called Compton cloud, other than the mass of the source and normalization (N). N is a standardized ratio of emitted to observed photon flux in TCAF which does not include X-ray emission from jets. In the presence of jets, this ratio changes and this deviation is used to obtain the estimation of X-ray contribution from the jets. Nature of the jet is found to be compact during low luminous hard state and discrete or blobby during high luminous intermediate states. We find a correlation between the radio (5.5 GHz) and X-ray (2.5-25 keV) fluxes from different components. The radio (F_R) and jet X-ray (F_ouf) fluxes are found to be correlated within the acceptable range of the standard correlation (0.6 to 0.7). A similar correlation indices were reported by our group for three other short orbital period transient BHCs (Swift J1753.5-0127, MAXI J1836-194 & XTE J1118+480).


Tidal Evolution of Exoplanets

Abstract: Tidal effects arise from differential and inelastic deformation of a planet by a perturbing body. The continuous action of tides modify the rotation of the planet together with its orbit until an equilibrium situation is reached. It is often believed that synchronous motion is the most probable outcome of the tidal evolution process, since synchronous rotation is observed for the majority of the satellites in the Solar System. However, in the 19th century, Schiaparelli also assumed synchronous motion for the rotations of Mercury and Venus, and was later shown to be wrong. Rather, for planets in eccentric orbits synchronous rotation is very unlikely. The rotation period and axial tilt of exoplanets is still unknown, but a large number of planets have been detected close to the parent star and should have evolved to a final equilibrium situation. Therefore, based on the Solar System well studied cases, we can make some predictions for exoplanets. Here we describe in detail the main tidal effects that modify the secular evolution of the spin and the orbit of a planet. We then apply our knowledge acquired from Solar System situations to exoplanet cases. In particular, we will focus on two classes of planets, "Hot-Jupiters" (fluid) and "Super-Earths" (rocky with atmosphere).

exoplanet
planet
orbital evolution
equilibrium configuration


Non Gaussianities from Quantum Decoherence during Inflation

Abstract: Inflationary cosmological perturbations of quantum-mechanical origin generically interact with all degrees of freedom present in the early Universe. Therefore, they must be viewed as an open quantum system in interaction with an environment. This implies that, under some conditions, decoherence can take place. The presence of the environment can also induce modifications in the power spectrum, thus offering an observational probe of cosmic decoherence. Here, we demonstrate that this also leads to non Gaussianities that we calculate using the Lindblad equation formalism. We show that, while the bispectrum remains zero, the four-point correlation functions become non-vanishing. Using the Cosmic Microwave Background measurements of the trispectrum by the Planck satellite, we derive constraints on the strength of the interaction between the perturbations and the environment and show that, in some regimes, they are more stringent than those arising from the power spectrum.

universe
cosmic decoherence
non gaussianities


The non-causal origin of the black hole-galaxy scaling relations

Abstract: We show that the black hole-bulge mass scaling relations observed from the local to the high-z Universe can be largely or even entirely explained by a non-causal origin, i.e. they do not imply the need for any physically coupled growth of black hole and bulge mass, for example through feedback by active galactic nuclei (AGN). Provided some physics for the absolute normalisation, the creation of the scaling relations can be fully explained by the hierarchical assembly of black hole and stellar mass through galaxy merging, from an initially uncorrelated distribution of BH and stellar masses in the early Universe. We show this with a suite of dark matter halo merger trees for which we make assumptions about (uncorrelated) black hole and stellar mass values at early cosmic times. We then follow the halos in the presence of global star formation and black hole accretion recipes that (i) work without any coupling of the two properties per individual galaxy and (ii) correctly reproduce the observed star formation and black hole accretion rate density in the Universe. With disk-to-bulge conversion in mergers included, our simulations even create the observed slope of 1.1 for the M_BH-M_bulge-relations at z=0. This also implies that AGN feedback is not a required (though still a possible) ingredient in galaxy evolution. In light of this, other mechanisms that can be invoked to truncate star formation in massive galaxies are equally justified.

non-causal origin
scaling relation
stellar masse


Astrophysics with the Spatially and Spectrally Resolved Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effects: A Millimetre/Submillimetre Probe of the Warm and Hot Universe

Abstract: In recent years, observations of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) effect have had significant cosmological implications and have begun to serve as a powerful and independent probe of the warm and hot gas that pervades the Universe. As a few pioneering studies have already shown, SZ observations both complement X-ray observations – the traditional tool for studying the intra-cluster medium – and bring unique capabilities for probing astrophysical processes at high redshifts and out to the low-density regions in the outskirts of galaxy clusters. Advances in SZ observations have largely been driven by developments in centimetre-, millimetre-, and submillimetre-wave instrumentation on ground-based facilities, with notable exceptions including results from the Planck satellite. Here we review the utility of the thermal, kinematic, relativistic, non-thermal, and polarised SZ effects for studies of galaxy clusters and other large scale structures, incorporating the many advances over the past two decades that have impacted SZ theory, simulations, and observations. We also discuss observational results, techniques, and challenges, and aim to give an overview and perspective on emerging opportunities, with the goal of highlighting some of the exciting new directions in this field.

sunyaev-zeldovich effect
astrophysical process
low-density region
galaxy cluster


Illuminating Gravitational Waves: A Concordant Picture of Photons from a Neutron Star Merger

Abstract: Merging neutron stars offer an exquisite laboratory for simultaneously studying strong-field gravity and matter in extreme environments. We establish the physical association of an electromagnetic counterpart EM170817 to gravitational waves (GW170817) detected from merging neutron stars. By synthesizing a panchromatic dataset, we demonstrate that merging neutron stars are a long-sought production site forging heavy elements by r-process nucleosynthesis. The weak gamma-rays seen in EM170817 are dissimilar to classical short gamma-ray bursts with ultra-relativistic jets. Instead, we suggest that breakout of a wide-angle, mildly-relativistic cocoon engulfing the jet elegantly explains the low-luminosity gamma-rays, the high-luminosity ultraviolet-optical-infrared and the delayed radio/X-ray emission. We posit that all merging neutron stars may lead to a wide-angle cocoon breakout; sometimes accompanied by a successful jet and sometimes a choked jet.

gravitational wave
neutron star merger
wide-angle
infrared transient


Large-Scale Structure Formation with Massive Neutrinos and Dynamical Dark Energy

Abstract: Over the next decade, cosmological measurements of the large-scale structure of the Universe will be sensitive to the combined effects of dynamical dark energy and massive neutrinos. The matter power spectrum is a key repository of this information. We extend higher-order perturbative methods for computing the power spectrum to investigate these effects over quasi-linear scales. Through comparison with N-body simulations we establish the regime of validity of a Time-Renormalization Group (Time-RG) perturbative treatment that includes dynamical dark energy and massive neutrinos. We also quantify the accuracy of Standard (SPT), Renormalized (RPT) and Lagrangian Resummation (LPT) perturbation theories without massive neutrinos. We find that an approximation that neglects neutrino clustering as a source for nonlinear matter clustering predicts the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) peak position to 0.25 for redshifts 1 < z < 3, justifying the use of LPT for BAO reconstruction in upcoming surveys. We release a modified version of the public Copter code which includes the additional physics discussed in the paper.

neutrino
dynamical dark energy
perturbation theory
large-scale structure


Reconstructing Horndeski models from the effective field theory of dark energy

Abstract: Studying the effects of dark energy and modified gravity on cosmological scales has led to a great number of physical models being developed. The effective field theory (EFT) of cosmic acceleration allows an efficient exploration of this large model space, usually carried out on a phenomenological basis. However, constraints on such parametrized EFT coefficients cannot be trivially connected to fundamental covariant theories. In this paper we reconstruct the class of covariant Horndeski scalar-tensor theories that reproduce the same background dynamics and linear perturbations as a given EFT action. One can use this reconstruction to interpret constraints on parametrized EFT coefficients in terms of viable covariant Horndeski theories. We demonstrate this method with a number of well-known models and discuss a range of future applications.

effective field theory
dark energy
cosmic acceleration
horndeski theory


Cascading Gravity is Ghost Free

Abstract: We perform a full perturbative stability analysis of the 6D cascading gravity model in the presence of 3-brane tension. We demonstrate that for sufficiently large tension on the (flat) 3-brane, there are no ghosts at the perturbative level, consistent with results that had previously only been obtained in a specific 5D decoupling limit. These results establish the cascading gravity framework as a consistent infrared modification of gravity.

gravity
ghost
first order perturbation
codimension-2 brane


The astrophysical gravitational wave stochastic background

Abstract: A gravitational wave stochastic background of astrophysical origin may have resulted from the superposition of a large number of unresolved sources since the beginning of stellar activity. Its detection would put very strong constrains on the physical properties of compact objects, the initial mass function or the star formation history. On the other hand, it could be a 'noise' that would mask the stochastic background of cosmological origin. We review the main astrophysical processes able to produce a stochastic background and discuss how it may differ from the primordial contribution by its statistical properties. Current detection methods are also presented.

wave stochastic background
unresolved source
universe
black hole


Higher Derivative Mimetic Gravity

Abstract: We study cosmological perturbations in mimetic gravity in the presence of classified higher derivative terms which can make the mimetic perturbations stable. We show that the quadratic higher derivative terms which are independent of curvature and the cubic higher derivative terms which come from curvature corrections are sufficient to remove instabilities in mimetic perturbations. The advantage of working with the classified higher derivative terms is that we can control both the background and the perturbation equations allowing us to construct the higher derivative extension of mimetic dark matter and the mimetic nonsingular bouncing scenarios. The latter can be thought as a new higher derivative effective action for the loop quantum cosmology scenario in which the equations of motion coincide with those suggested by loop quantum cosmology. We investigate a possible connection between the mimetic cosmology and the Randall-Sundrum cosmology.

derivative term
direct coupling
mimetic field
spacetime
difficulty


On the maximal efficiency of the collisional Penrose process

Abstract: The center of mass (CM) energy in a collisional Penrose process - a collision taking place within the ergosphere of a Kerr black hole - can diverge under suitable extreme conditions (maximal Kerr, near horizon collision and suitable impact parameters). We present an analytic expression for the CM energy, refining expressions given in the literature. Even though the CM energy diverges, we show that the maximal energy attained by a particle that escapes the black hole's gravitational pull and reaches infinity is modest. We obtain an analytic expression for the energy of an escaping particle resulting from a collisional Penrose process, and apply it to derive the maximal energy and the maximal efficiency for several physical scenarios: pair annihilation, Compton scattering, and the elastic scattering of two massive particles. In all physically reasonable cases (in which the incident particles initially fall from infinity towards the black hole) the maximal energy (and the corresponding efficiency) are only one order of magnitude larger than the rest mass energy of the incident particles. The maximal efficiency found is 13.92 and it is obtained for the scattering of an outgoing massless particle by a massive particle.

maximal efficiency
collisional penrose process
black hole
incident particle


Holographic dark energy in a universe with spatial curvature and massive neutrinos: a full Markov Chain Monte Carlo exploration

Abstract: In this paper, we report the results of constraining the holographic dark energy model with spatial curvature and massive neutrinos, based on a Markov Chain Monte Carlo global fit technique. The cosmic observational data include the full WMAP 7-yr temperature and polarization data, the type Ia supernova data from Union2.1 sample, the baryon acoustic oscillation data from SDSS DR7 and WiggleZ Dark Energy Survey, and the latest measurements of H_0 from HST. To deal with the perturbations of dark energy, we adopt the parameterized post-Friedmann method. We find that, for the simplest holographic dark energy model without spatial curvature and massive neutrinos, the phenomenological parameter c<1 at more than 4σ confidence level. The inclusion of spatial curvature enlarges the error bars and leads to c<1 only in about 2.5σ range; in contrast, the inclusion of massive neutrinos does not have significant influence on c. We also find that, for the holographic dark energy model with spatial curvature but without massive neutrinos, the 3σ error bars of the current fractional curvature density Ω_k0 are still in order of 10^-2; for the model with massive neutrinos but without spatial curvature, the 2σ upper bound of the total mass of neutrinos is ∑ m_ν < 0.48 eV. Moreover, there exists clear degeneracy between spatial curvature and massive neutrinos in the holographic dark energy model, which enlarges the upper bound of ∑ m_ν by more than 2 times. In addition, we demonstrate that, making use of the full WMAP data can give better constraints on the holographic dark energy model, compared with the case using the WMAP “distance priors”.

massive neutrino
dark energy model
baryon
cosmology


Why all these prejudices against a constant?

Abstract: The expansion of the observed universe appears to be accelerating. A simple explanation of this phenomenon is provided by the non-vanishing of the cosmological constant in the Einstein equations. Arguments are commonly presented to the effect that this simple explanation is not viable or not sufficient, and therefore we are facing the "great mystery" of the "nature of a dark energy". We argue that these arguments are unconvincing, or ill-founded.

universe
coincidence problem
energy density


On mass-constraints implied by the relativistic precession model of twin-peak quasi-periodic oscillations in Circinus X-1

Abstract: Boutloukos et al. (2006) discovered twin-peak quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in 11 observations of the peculiar Z-source Circinus X-1. Among several other conjunctions the authors briefly discussed the related estimate of the compact object mass following from the geodesic relativistic precession model for kHz QPOs. Neglecting the neutron star rotation they reported the inferred mass M_0 = 2.2 +/- 0.3 M_. We present a more detailed analysis of the estimate which involves the frame-dragging effects associated with rotating spacetimes. For a free mass we find acceptable fits of the model to data for (any) small dimensionless compact object angular momentum j=cJ/GM^2. Moreover, quality of the fit tends to increase very gently with rising j. Good fits are reached when M M_0[1+0.55(j+j^2)]. It is therefore impossible to estimate the mass without the independent knowledge of the angular momentum and vice versa. Considering j up to 0.3 the range of the feasible values of mass extends up to 3M_. We suggest that similar increase of estimated mass due to rotational effects can be relevant for several other sources.

relativistic precession model
twin-peak quasi-periodic oscillation
star hartle–thorne model
near-maximum-mass neutron


The Connection between Galaxies and Dark Matter Structures in the Local Universe

Abstract: We provide new constraints on the connection between galaxies in the local universe, identified by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), and dark matter halos and their constituent substructures in the ΛCDM model using WMAP7 cosmological parameters. Predictions for the abundance and clustering properties of dark matter halos, and the relationship between dark matter hosts and substructures, are based on a high-resolution cosmological simulation, the Bolshoi simulation. We associate galaxies with halos and subhalos using subhalo abundance matching, performing a comprehensive analysis which investigates the underlying assumptions of this technique including (a) which halo property is most closely associated with galaxy stellar masses and luminosities, (b) how much scatter is in this relationship, and (c) how much subhalos can be stripped before their galaxies are destroyed. The models are jointly constrained by new measurements of the projected two-point galaxy clustering and the observed conditional stellar mass function of galaxies in groups. The data put tight constraints on the satellite fraction of galaxies as a function of galaxy stellar mass, on the scatter between halo and galaxy properties, and on the underlying conditional stellar mass function. These data rule out several halo properties commonly used in abundance matching, largely because the satellite fractions in the models disagree with those data. We show that an abundance matching model that associates galaxies with the peak circular velocity of their halos is in good agreement with the data, when scatter of 0.20 ± 0.03 dex in stellar mass at a given peak velocity is included. This will yield important constraints for galaxy formation models, and also provides encouraging indications that the galaxy–halo connection can be modeled with sufficient fidelity for future precision studies of the dark Universe.

galaxy
local universe
cosmological parameter
stellar mass


Statistical Analysis of Large-scale EUV Waves Observed by STEREO/EUVI

Abstract: We present a statistical analysis of 60 strong large-scale EUV wave events that occurred during January 2007 to February 2011 with the STEREO twin spacecraft regarding their kinematical evolution and wave pulse characteristics. For the start velocity, we obtain for the arithmetic mean 312±115 km s^-1 (within a range of 100-630 km s^-1). For the mean (linear) velocity, the arithmetic mean is 254±76 km s^-1 (within a range of 130-470 km s^-1). 52 deceleration during their propagation (a≤-50 m s^-2), the other 48 are consistent with a constant speed within the uncertainties (-50≤ a≤50 m s^-2). The start velocity and the acceleration show a strong anticorrelation with c≈-0.8, i.e initially faster events undergo stronger deceleration than slower events. The (smooth) transition between constant propagation for slow events and deceleration in faster events occurs at an EUV wave start velocity of v≈230 km s^-1, which corresponds well to the fast-mode speed in the quiet corona. These findings provide strong evidence that the EUV waves under study are indeed large-amplitude fast-mode MHD waves. This interpretation is further supported by the correlations obtained between the peak velocity and the peak amplitude, impulsiveness, and build-up time of the disturbance. We obtained the following association rates of EUV wave events to other solar phenomena: 95 associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME), 74 interplanetary type II bursts, and 22 findings are consistent with the interpretation that the associated CMEs are the EUV waves' driving agent.

euv wave
stereo
propagation
statistical analysis


The Equation of State from Observed Masses and Radii of Neutron Stars

Abstract: We determine an empirical dense matter equation of state from a heterogeneous dataset of six neutron stars: three type I X-ray bursters with photospheric radius expansion, studied by Ozel et al., and three transient low-mass X-ray binaries. We critically assess the mass and radius determinations from the X-ray burst sources and show explicitly how systematic uncertainties, such as the photospheric radius at touchdown, affect the most probable masses and radii. We introduce a parameterized equation of state and use a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm within a Bayesian framework to determine nuclear parameters such as the incompressibility and the density dependence of the bulk symmetry energy. Using this framework we show, for the first time, that these parameters, predicted solely on the basis of astrophysical observations, all lie in ranges expected from nuclear systematics and laboratory experiments. We find significant constraints on the mass-radius relation for neutron stars, and hence on the pressure-density relation of dense matter. The predicted symmetry energy and the equation of state near the saturation density are soft, resulting in relatively small neutron star radii around 11-12 km for M=1.4 Msun. The predicted equation of state stiffens at higher densities, however, and our preferred model for X-ray bursts suggests that the neutron star maximum mass is relatively large, 1.9-2.2 Msun. Our results imply that several commonly used equations of state are inconsistent with observations.

neutron star
low-mass x-ray binary
mass-radius relation


Spitzer's perspective of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in galaxies

Abstract: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules, as revealed by the distinctive set of emission bands at 3.3, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.3 and 12.7 μm characteristic of their vibrational modes, are abundant and widespread throughout the Universe. They are ubiquitously seen in a wide variety of astrophysical regions, ranging from planet-forming disks around young stars to the interstellar medium (ISM) of the Milky Way and external galaxies out to high redshifts at z>4. PAHs profoundly influence the thermal budget and chemistry of the ISM by dominating the photoelectric heating of the gas and controlling the ionization balance. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of the astrophysics of PAHs, focusing on their observational characteristics obtained from the Spitzer Space Telescope and their diagnostic power for probing the local physical and chemical conditions and processes. Special attention is paid to the spectral properties of PAHs and their variations revealed by the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on board Spitzer across a much broader range of extragalactic environments (e.g., distant galaxies, early-type galaxies, galactic halos, active galactic nuclei, and low-metallicity galaxies) than was previously possible with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) or any other telescope facilities. Also highlighted is the relation between the PAH abundance and the galaxy metallicity established for the first time by Spitzer.

aromatic hydrocarbon
galaxy
pahs
emission band


A disk-dominated and clumpy circumgalactic medium of the Milky Way seen in X-ray emission

Abstract: The Milky Way galaxy is surrounded by a circumgalactic medium (CGM) that may play a key role in galaxy evolution as the source of gas for star formation and a repository of metals and energy produced by star formation and nuclear activity. The CGM may also be a repository for baryons seen in the early universe, but undetected locally. The CGM has an ionized component at temperatures near 2 × 10^6 K studied primarily in the soft X-ray band. Here we report a survey of the southern Galactic sky with a soft X-ray spectrometer optimized to study diffuse soft X-ray emission. The X-ray emission is best fit with a disc-like model based on the radial profile of the surface density of molecular hydrogen, a tracer of star formation, suggesting that the X-ray emission is predominantly from hot plasma produced via stellar feedback. Strong variations in the X-ray emission on angular scales of ∼10^∘ indicate that the CGM is clumpy. Addition of an extended, and possibly massive, halo component is needed to match the halo density inferred from other observations.

circumgalactic medium
x-ray emission
hot plasma


Comparison of Recent SnIa datasets

Abstract: We rank the six latest Type Ia supernova (SnIa) datasets (Constitution (C), Union (U), ESSENCE (Davis) (E), Gold06 (G), SNLS 1yr (S) and SDSS-II (D)) in the context of the Chevalier-Polarski-Linder (CPL) parametrization w(a)=w_0+w_1 (1-a), according to their Figure of Merit (FoM), their consistency with the cosmological constant (ΛCDM), their consistency with standard rulers (Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO)) and their mutual consistency. We find a significant improvement of the FoM (defined as the inverse area of the 95.4 contour) with the number of SnIa of these datasets ((C) highest FoM, (U), (G), (D), (E), (S) lowest FoM). Standard rulers (CMB+BAO) have a better FoM by about a factor of 3, compared to the highest FoM SnIa dataset (C). We also find that the ranking sequence based on consistency with ΛCDM is identical with the corresponding ranking based on consistency with standard rulers ((S) most consistent, (D), (C), (E), (U), (G) least consistent). The ranking sequence of the datasets however changes when we consider the consistency with an expansion history corresponding to evolving dark energy (w_0,w_1)=(-1.4,2) crossing the phantom divide line w=-1 (it is practically reversed to (G), (U), (E), (S), (D), (C)). The SALT2 and MLCS2k2 fitters are also compared and some peculiar features of the SDSS-II dataset when standardized with the MLCS2k2 fitter are pointed out. Finally, we construct a statistic to estimate the internal consistency of a collection of SnIa datasets. We find that even though there is good consistency among most samples taken from the above datasets, this consistency decreases significantly when the Gold06 (G) dataset is included in the sample.


A Sawtooth-like Timeline for the First Billion Year of Lunar Bombardment

Abstract: We revisit the early evolution of the Moon's bombardment. Our work combines modeling (based on plausible projectile sources and their dynamical decay rates) with constraints from the lunar crater record, radiometric ages of the youngest lunar basins, and the abundance of highly siderophile elements in the lunar crust and mantle. We deduce that the evolution of the impact flux did not decline exponentially over the first billion years of lunar history, but also there was no prominent and "narrow" impact spike some 3.9 Gy ago, unlike that typically envisioned in the lunar cataclysm scenario. Instead, we show the timeline of the lunar bombardment has a sawtooth-like profile, with an uptick in the impact flux near 4.1 Gy ago. The impact flux at the beginning of this weaker cataclysm was 5-10 times higher than the immediately preceding period. The Nectaris basin should have been one of the first basins formed at the sawtooth. We predict the bombardment rate since about 4.1Gy ago declined slowly and adhered relatively close to classic crater chronology models (Neukum and Ivanov (1994)). Overall we expect that the sawtooth event accounted for about 1/4 of the total bombardment suffered by the Moon since its formation. Consequently, considering that about 12-14 basins formed during the sawtooth event, we expect that the net number of basins formed on the Moon was about 45-50. From our expected bombardment timeline, we derived a new and improved lunar chronology suitable for use on Pre-Nectarian surface units. According to this chronology, a significant portion of the oldest lunar cratered terrains has an age of 4.38-4.42 Gyr. Moreover, the largest lunar basin, South Pole Aitken, is older than 4.3Gy, and therefore was not produced during the lunar cataclysm.

timeline
lunar bombardment
moon
lunar basin


Fundamental Physics with ESPRESSO, Constraining a simple parametrisation for varying α

Abstract: The spectrograph ESPRESSO recently obtained a limit on the variation of the fine-structure constant, α, through measurements along the line of sight of a bright quasar with a precision of 1.36 ppm at 1σ level. This imposes new constraints on cosmological models with a varying α. We assume such a model where the electromagnetic sector is coupled to a scalar field dark energy responsible for the current acceleration of the Universe. We parametrise the variation of α with two extra parameters, one defining the cosmological evolution of the quintessence component and the other fixing the coupling with the electromagnetic field. The objective of this work is to constrain these parameters with both astrophysical and local probes. We also carried out a comparative analysis of how each data probe may constrain our parametrisation. We performed a Bayesian analysis by comparing the predictions of the model with observations. The astrophysical datasets are composed of quasar spectra measurements, including the latest ESPRESSO data point, as well as Planck observations of the cosmic microwave background. We combined these with local results from atomic clocks and the MICROSCOPE experiment. The constraints placed on the quintessence parameter are consistent with a null variation of the field, and are therefore compatible with a ΛCDM cosmology. The constraints on the coupling to the electromagnetic sector are dominated by the Eötvös parameter local bound. More precise measurements with ESPRESSO will be extremely important to study the cosmological evolution of α as it probes an interval of redshift not accessible to other types of observations. However, for this particular model, current available data favour a null variation of α resulting mostly from the strong MICROSCOPE limits.

espresso
parametrisation
fine-structure constant
universe


Rapid Reionization by the Oligarchs: The Case for Massive, UV-Bright, Star-Forming Galaxies with High Escape Fractions

Abstract: The protagonists of cosmic reionization remain elusive. Faint star-forming galaxies are leading candidates because they are numerous and may have significant ionizing photon escape fractions (f_esc). Here we update this picture via an empirical model that successfully predicts latest observations (e.g., the drop in star-formation density at z>8). We generate an ionizing spectrum for each galaxy in our model and constrain f_esc using latest measurements of the reionization timeline (e.g., Lyα damping of quasars and galaxies at z>7). Assuming a constant f_esc, we find M_UV<-13.5 galaxies need f_esc=0.21^+0.06_-0.04 to complete reionization. The inferred IGM neutral fraction is [0.9, 0.5, 0.1] at z=[8.2, 6.8, 6.2]±0.2, i.e., the bulk of reionization transpires in 300 Myrs. Inspired by the emergent sample of Lyman Continuum (LyC) leakers that overwhelmingly displays higher-than-average star-formation surface density (Σ), we propose a model relating f_esc to Σ and find f_esc∝Σ^0.4±0.1. Since Σ falls by 2.5 dex between z=8 and z=0, our model explains the humble upper limits on f_esc at lower redshifts and its required evolution to 0.2 at z>6. Within this model, strikingly, <5 >80 relegated to a limited role to ensure high neutral fractions at z=7-8. Shallow faint-end slopes of the UV luminosity function (α>-2) and/or f_esc distributions skewed toward bright galaxies produce the required late and rapid reionization. We predict LyC leakers like COLA1 (z=6.6, f_esc 30 M_UV=-21.5) become increasingly common towards z 6 and that the drivers of reionization do not lie hidden across the faint-end of the luminosity function, but are already known to us. (abridged)

star-forming galaxy
photon escape fraction
rapid reionization
universe


Stochastic Bias from Non-Gaussian Initial Conditions

Abstract: In this article, we show that a stochastic form of scale-dependent halo bias arises in multi-source inflationary models, where multiple fields determine the initial curvature perturbation. We derive this effect for general non-Gaussian initial conditions and study various examples, such as curvaton models and quasi-single field inflation. We present a general formula for both the stochastic and the non-stochastic parts of the halo bias, in terms of the N-point cumulants of the curvature perturbation at the end of inflation. At lowest order, the stochasticity arises if the collapsed limit of the four-point function is boosted relative to the square of the three-point function in the squeezed limit. We derive all our results in two ways, using the barrier crossing formalism and the peak-background split method. In a companion paper, we prove that these two approaches are mathematically equivalent.

four-point function
stochastic bias
enhancement


Quantum corrections to gravity and their implications for cosmology and astrophysics

Abstract: The quantum contributions to the gravitational action are relatively easy to calculate in the higher derivative sector of the theory. However, the applications to the post-inflationary cosmology and astrophysics require the corrections to the Einstein-Hilbert action and to the cosmological constant, and those we can not derive yet in a consistent and safe way. At the same time, if we assume that these quantum terms are covariant and that they have relevant magnitude, their functional form can be defined up to a single free parameter, which can be defined on the phenomenological basis. It turns out that the quantum correction may lead, in principle, to surprisingly strong and interesting effects in astrophysics and cosmology.

cosmology
astrophysic
quantum correction
general relativity
dark matter-like effect


Systematic Opacity Calculations for Kilonovae

Abstract: Coalescence of neutron stars gives rise to kilonova, thermal emission powered by radioactive decays of freshly synthesized r-process nuclei. Although observational properties are largely affected by bound-bound opacities of r-process elements, available atomic data have been limited. In this paper, we study element-to-element variation of the opacities in the ejecta of neutron star mergers by performing systematic atomic structure calculations of r-process elements for the first time. We show that the distributions of energy levels tend to be higher as electron occupation increases for each electron shell due to the larger energy spacing caused by larger effects of spin-orbit and electron-electron interactions. As a result, elements with a fewer number of electrons in the outermost shells tend to give larger contributions to the bound-bound opacities. This implies that Fe is not representative for the opacities of light r-process elements. The average opacities for the mixture of r-process elements are found to be kappa 20-30 cm^2 g^-1 for the electron fraction of Ye < 0.20, kappa 3-5 cm^2 g^-1 for Ye = 0.25-0.35, and kappa 1 cm^2 g^-1 for Ye = 0.40 at T = 5,000-10,000 K, and they steeply decrease at lower temperature. We show that, even with the same abundance or Ye, the opacity in the ejecta changes with time by one order of magnitude from 1 to 10 days after the merger. Our radiative transfer simulations with the new opacity data confirm that ejecta with a high electron fraction (Ye > 0.25, with no lanthanide) are needed to explain the early, blue emission in GW170817/AT2017gfo while lanthanide-rich ejecta (with a mass fraction of lanthanides 5 x 10^-3) reproduce the long-lasting near-infrared emission.

opacity kilonova element ejecta wavelength


Constraints on the Holographic Dark Energy Model from Type Ia Supernovae, WMAP7, Baryon Acoustic Oscillation and Redshift-Space Distortion

Abstract: In this paper, we use the joint measurement of geometry and growth rate from matter density perturbations to constrain the holographic dark energy model. The geometry measurement includes type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) Union2.1, full information of cosmic microwave background (CMB) from WMAP-7yr and baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO). For the growth rate of matter density perturbations, the results f(z)σ_8(z) measured from the redshift-space distortion (RSD) in the galaxy power spectrum are employed. Via the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, we try to constrain the model parameters space. The jointed constraint shows that c=0.750_- 0.0999- 0.173- 0.226^+ 0.0976+ 0.215+ 0.319 and σ_8=0.763_- 0.0465- 0.0826- 0.108^+ 0.0477+ 0.0910+ 0.120 with 1,2,3σ regions. After marginalizing the other irrelevant model parameters, we show the evolution of the equation of state of HDE with respect to the redshift z. Though the current cosmic data points favor a phantom like HDE Universe for the mean values of the model parameters in the future, it can behave like quintessence in 3σ regions.

dark energy model
baryon acoustic oscillation
redshift-space distortion
cosmological model


Rapid Separable Analysis of Higher Order Correlators in Large Scale Structure

Abstract: We present an efficient separable approach to the estimation and reconstruction of the bispectrum and the trispectrum from observational (or simulated) large scale structure data. This is developed from general CMB (poly-)spectra methods which exploit the fact that the bispectrum and trispectrum in the literature can be represented by a separable mode expansion which converges rapidly (with n_max=O(30) terms). With an effective grid resolution l_max (number of particles/grid points N=l_max^3), we present a bispectrum estimator which requires only O(n_max× l_max^3) operations, along with a corresponding method for direct bispectrum reconstruction. This method is extended to the trispectrum revealing an estimator which requires only O(n_max^4/3× l_max^3) operations. The complexity in calculating the trispectrum in this method is now involved in the original decomposition and orthogonalisation process which need only be performed once for each model. However, for non-diagonal trispectra these processes present little extra difficulty and may be performed in O(l_max^4) operations. A discussion of how the methodology may be applied to the quadspectrum is also given. An efficient algorithm for the generation of arbitrary nonGaussian initial conditions for use in N-body codes using this separable approach is described. This prescription allows for the production of nonGaussian initial conditions for arbitrary bispectra and trispectra. A brief outline of the key issues involved in parameter estimation, particularly in the non-linear regime, is also given.

large scale structure
difficulty
bispectra


Active Galactic Nuclei as High-Energy Neutrino Sources

Abstract: Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are believed to be promising candidates of extragalactic cosmic-ray accelerators and sources, and associated high-energy neutrino and hadronic gamma-ray emission has been studied for many years. We review models of high-energy neutrino production in AGN and discuss their implications for the latest IceCube observation of the diffuse neutrino intensity.

neutrino production
galactic nucleus
starburst galaxy


Large-scale nuclear structure calculations for spin-dependent WIMP scattering with chiral effective field theory currents

Abstract: We perform state-of-the-art large-scale shell-model calculations of the structure factors for elastic spin-dependent WIMP scattering off 129,131Xe, 127I, 73Ge, 19F, 23Na, 27Al, and 29Si. This comprehensive survey covers the non-zero-spin nuclei relevant to direct dark matter detection. We include a pedagogical presentation of the formalism necessary to describe elastic and inelastic WIMP-nucleus scattering. The valence spaces and nuclear interactions employed have been previously used in nuclear structure calculations for these mass regions and yield a good spectroscopic description of these isotopes. We use spin-dependent WIMP-nucleus currents based on chiral effective field theory (EFT) at the one-body level and including the leading long-range two-body currents due to pion exchange, which are predicted in chiral EFT. Results for all structure factors are provided with theoretical error bands due to the nuclear uncertainties of WIMP currents in nuclei.

nuclear structure calculation
spin-dependent wimp
effective field theory
chiral symmetry


Stochastic Acceleration by Turbulence

Abstract: The subject of this paper is stochastic acceleration by plasma turbulence, a process akin to the original model proposed by Fermi. We review the relative merits of different acceleration models, in particular the so called first order Fermi acceleration by shocks and second order Fermi by stochastic processes, and point out that plasma waves or turbulence play an important role in all mechanisms of acceleration. Thus, stochastic acceleration by turbulence is active in most situations. We also show that it is the most efficient mechanism of acceleration of relatively cool non relativistic thermal background plasma particles. In addition, it can preferentially accelerate electrons relative to protons as is needed in many astrophysical radiating sources, where usually there are no indications of presence of shocks. We also point out that a hybrid acceleration mechanism consisting of initial acceleration by turbulence of background particles followed by a second stage acceleration by a shock has many attractive features. It is demonstrated that the above scenarios can account for many signatures of the accelerated electrons, protons and other ions, in particular ^3He and ^4He, seen directly as Solar Energetic Particles and through the radiation they produce in solar flares.

turbulence
background plasma particle
electron


Magnetic Helicity and Large Scale Magnetic Fields: A Primer

Abstract: Magnetic fields of laboratory, planetary, stellar, and galactic plasmas commonly exhibit significant order on large temporal or spatial scales compared to the otherwise random motions within the hosting system. Such ordered fields can be measured in the case of planets, stars, and galaxies, or inferred indirectly by the action of their dynamical influence, such as jets. Whether large scale fields are amplified in situ or a remnant from previous stages of an object's history is often debated for objects without a definitive magnetic activity cycle. Magnetic helicity, a measure of twist and linkage of magnetic field lines, is a unifying tool for understanding large scale field evolution for both mechanisms of origin. Its importance stems from its two basic properties: (1) magnetic helicity is typically better conserved than magnetic energy; and (2) the magnetic energy associated with a fixed amount of magnetic helicity is minimized when the system relaxes this helical structure to the largest scale available. Here I discuss how magnetic helicity has come to help us understand the saturation of and sustenance of large scale dynamos, the need for either local or global helicity fluxes to avoid dynamo quenching, and the associated observational consequences. I also discuss how magnetic helicity acts as a hindrance to turbulent diffusion of large scale fields, and thus a helper for fossil remnant large scale field origin models in some contexts. I briefly discuss the connection between large scale fields and accretion disk theory as well. The goal here is to provide a conceptual primer to help the reader efficiently penetrate the literature.

large scale
magnetic field
magnetic helicity


The cosmic neutrino background as a collection of fluids in large-scale structure simulations

Abstract: A significant challenge for modelling the massive neutrino as a hot dark matter is its large velocity dispersion. In this work, we investigate and implement a multi-fluid perturbation theory that treats the cosmic neutrino population as a collection of fluids with a broad range of bulk velocities. These fluids respond linearly to the clustering of cold matter, which may be linear and described by standard linear perturbation theory, or non-linear, described using either higher-order perturbation theory or N-body simulations. We verify that such an alternative treatment of neutrino perturbations agrees closely with state-of-the-art neutrino linear response calculations in terms of power spectrum and bispectrum predictions. Combining multi-fluid neutrino linear response with a non-linear calculation for the cold matter clustering, we find for a reference nuLambdaCDM cosmology with neutrino mass sum of 0.93 eV an enhancement of the small-scale neutrino power by an order of magnitude relative to a purely linear calculation. The corresponding clustering enhancement in the cold matter, however, is a modest 0.05 multi-fluid approach uniquely enables us to identify that the slowest-moving 25 treatment. Such a precise calculation of neutrino clustering on small scales accompanied by fine-grained velocity information would be invaluable for experiments such as PTOLEMY that probe the local neutrino density and velocity in the solar neighbourhood.

neutrino
fluid
dark matter
cold matter
gravitational potential


Obscured Active Galactic Nuclei

Abstract: Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are powered by the accretion of material onto a supermassive black hole (SMBH), and are among the most luminous objects in the Universe. However, the huge radiative power of most AGN cannot be seen directly, as the accretion is "hidden" behind gas and dust that absorbs many of the characteristic observational signatures. This obscuration presents an important challenge for uncovering the complete AGN population and understanding the cosmic evolution of SMBHs. In this review we describe a broad range of multi-wavelength techniques that are currently employed to identify obscured AGN, and assess the reliability and completeness of each technique. We follow with a discussion of the demographics of obscured AGN activity, explore the nature and physical scales of the obscuring material, and assess the implications of obscured AGN for observational cosmology. We conclude with an outline of the prospects for future progress from both observations and theoretical models, and highlight some of the key outstanding questions.

active galactic nuclei
supermassive black hole
dust


Primordial perturbations from inflation with a hyperbolic field-space

Abstract: We study primordial perturbations from hyperinflation, proposed recently and based on a hyperbolic field-space. In the previous work, it was shown that the field-space angular momentum supported by the negative curvature modifies the background dynamics and enhances fluctuations of the scalar fields qualitatively, assuming that the inflationary background is almost de Sitter. In this work, we confirm and extend the analysis based on the standard approach of cosmological perturbation in multi-field inflation. At the background level, to quantify the deviation from de Sitter, we introduce the slow-varying parameters and show that steep potentials, which usually can not drive inflation, can drive inflation. At the linear perturbation level, we obtain the power spectrum of primordial curvature perturbation and express the spectral tilt and running in terms of the slow-varying parameters. We show that hyperinflation with power-law type potentials has already been excluded by the recent Planck observations, while exponential-type potential with the exponent of order unity can be made consistent with observations as far as the power spectrum is concerned. We also argue that, in the context of a simple D-brane inflation, the hyperinflation requires exponentially large hyperbolic extra dimensions but that masses of Kaluza-Klein gravitons can be kept relatively heavy.

hyperbolic field-space
scalar field
multi-field inflation
primordial perturbation


Size Bias in Galaxy Surveys

Abstract: Only certain galaxies are included in surveys: those bright and large enough to be detectable as extended sources. Because gravitational lensing can make galaxies appear both brighter and larger, the presence of foreground inhomogeneities can scatter galaxies across not only magnitude cuts but also size cuts, changing the statistical properties of the resulting catalog. Here we explore this size bias, and how it combines with magnification bias to affect galaxy statistics. We demonstrate that photometric galaxy samples from current and upcoming surveys can be even more affected by size bias than by magnification bias.


Massive Binary Black Holes in the Cosmic Landscape

Abstract: Binary black holes occupy a special place in our quest for understanding the evolution of galaxies along cosmic history. If massive black holes grow at the center of (pre-)galactic structures that experience a sequence of merger episodes, then dual black holes form as inescapable outcome of galaxy assembly. But, if the black holes reach coalescence, then they become the loudest sources of gravitational waves ever in the universe. Nature seems to provide a pathway for the formation of these exotic binaries, and a number of key questions need to be addressed: How do massive black holes pair in a merger? Depending on the properties of the underlying galaxies, do black holes always form a close Keplerian binary? If a binary forms, does hardening proceed down to the domain controlled by gravitational wave back reaction? What is the role played by gas and/or stars in braking the black holes, and on which timescale does coalescence occur? Can the black holes accrete on flight and shine during their pathway to coalescence? N-Body/hydrodynamical codes have proven to be vital tools for studying their evolution, and progress in this field is expected to grow rapidly in the effort to describe, in full realism, the physics of stars and gas around the black holes, starting from the cosmological large scale of a merger. If detected in the new window provided by the upcoming gravitational wave experiments, binary black holes will provide a deep view into the process of hierarchical clustering which is at the heart of the current paradigm of galaxy formation. They will also be exquisite probes for testing General Relativity, as the theory of gravity. The waveforms emitted during the inspiral, coalescence and ring-down phase carry in their shape the sign of a dynamically evolving space-time and the proof of the existence of an horizon.

black hole
gravitational wave
galaxy merger


Large-Scale Structure and Gravitational Waves III: Tidal Effects

Abstract: The leading locally observable effect of a long-wavelength metric perturbation corresponds to a tidal field. We derive the tidal field induced by scalar, vector, and tensor perturbations, and use second order perturbation theory to calculate the effect on the locally measured small-scale density fluctuations. For sub-horizon scalar perturbations, we recover the standard perturbation theory result (F_2 kernel). For tensor modes of wavenumber k_L, we find that effects persist for k_Lτ≫ 1, i.e. even long after the gravitational wave has entered the horizon and redshifted away, i.e. it is a "fossil" effect. We then use these results, combined with the "ruler perturbations" of arXiv:1204.3625, to predict the observed distortion of the small-scale matter correlation function induced by a long-wavelength tensor mode. We also estimate the observed signal in the B mode of the cosmic shear from a gravitational wave background, including both tidal (intrinsic alignment) and projection (lensing) effects. The non-vanishing tidal effect in the k_Lτ≫ 1 limit significantly increases the intrinsic alignment contribution to shear B modes, especially at low redshifts z ≲ 2.

tidal effect
tensor mode
cosmic shear
large-scale structure
pgw


The mean-field solar dynamo with double cell meridional circulation pattern

Abstract: Recent findings of helioseismology as well as advances in direct numerical simulations of global dynamics of the Sun have indicated that in each solar hemisphere the meridional circulation forms the two cells along the in the convection zone. We investigate properties of a mean-field solar dynamo with such double-cell meridional circulation. The dynamo model also includes the realistic profile of solar differential rotation (including the tachocline and subsurface shear layer), and takes into account effects of turbulent pumping, anisotropic turbulent diffusivity, and conservation of magnetic helicity. Contrary to previous flux-transport dynamo models, it is found that the dynamo model can robustly reproduce the basic properties of the solar magnetic cycles for a wide range of model parameters and the circulation speed. The best agreement with observations is achieved when the surface speed of meridional circulation is about 12 m/s. For this circulation speed the simulated sunspot activity shows good synchronization with the polar magnetic fields. Such synchronization was indeed observed during the past sunspot cycles 21 and 22. We compare theoretical and observed phase diagrams of the sunspot number and the polar field strength and discuss the peculiar properties of Cycle 23.

mean-field solar dynamo
meridional circulation
dynamo model


The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: Cosmology from Galaxy Clusters Detected via the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect

Abstract: We present constraints on cosmological parameters based on a sample of Sunyaev-Zel'dovich-selected galaxy clusters detected in a millimeter-wave survey by the Atacama Cosmology Telescope. The cluster sample used in this analysis consists of 9 optically-confirmed high-mass clusters comprising the high-significance end of the total cluster sample identified in 455 square degrees of sky surveyed during 2008 at 148 GHz. We focus on the most massive systems to reduce the degeneracy between unknown cluster astrophysics and cosmology derived from SZ surveys. We describe the scaling relation between cluster mass and SZ signal with a 4-parameter fit. Marginalizing over the values of the parameters in this fit with conservative priors gives sigma_8 = 0.851 +/- 0.115 and w = -1.14 +/- 0.35 for a spatially-flat wCDM cosmological model with WMAP 7-year priors on cosmological parameters. This gives a modest improvement in statistical uncertainty over WMAP 7-year constraints alone. Fixing the scaling relation between cluster mass and SZ signal to a fiducial relation obtained from numerical simulations and calibrated by X-ray observations, we find sigma_8 = 0.821 +/- 0.044 and w = -1.05 +/- 0.20. These results are consistent with constraints from WMAP 7 plus baryon acoustic oscillations plus type Ia supernoava which give sigma_8 = 0.802 +/- 0.038 and w = -0.98 +/- 0.053. A stacking analysis of the clusters in this sample compared to clusters simulated assuming the fiducial model also shows good agreement. These results suggest that, given the sample of clusters used here, both the astrophysics of massive clusters and the cosmological parameters derived from them are broadly consistent with current models.

atacama cosmology telescope
galaxy cluster
cosmological parameter


Computing the Three-Point Correlation Function of Galaxies in 𝒪(N^2) Time

Abstract: We present an algorithm that computes the multipole coefficients of the galaxy three-point correlation function (3PCF) without explicitly considering triplets of galaxies. Rather, centering on each galaxy in the survey, it expands the radially-binned density field in spherical harmonics and combines these to form the multipoles without ever requiring the relative angle between a pair about the central. This approach scales with number and number density in the same way as the two-point correlation function, allowing runtimes that are comparable, and 500 times faster than a naive triplet count. It is exact in angle and easily handles edge correction. We demonstrate the algorithm on the LasDamas SDSS-DR7 mock catalogs, computing an edge corrected 3PCF out to 90 Mpc/h in under an hour on modest computing resources. We expect this algorithm will render it possible to obtain the large-scale 3PCF for upcoming surveys such as Euclid, LSST, and DESI.

three-point correlation function
galaxy
multipole coefficient


General Relativity from a Thermodynamic Perspective

Abstract: I show that the gravitational dynamics in a bulk region of space can be connected to a thermodynamic description in the boundary of that region, thereby providing clear physical interpretations of several mathematical features of classical general relativity: (1) The Noether charge contained in a bulk region, associated with a specific time evolution vector field, has a direct thermodynamic interpretation as the gravitational heat content of the boundary surface. (2) This result, in turn, shows that all static spacetimes maintain holographic equipartition; in these spacetimes, the number of degrees of freedom in the boundary is equal to the number of degrees of freedom in the bulk. (3) In a general, evolving spacetime, the rate of change of gravitational momentum is related to the difference between the number of bulk and boundary degrees of freedom. It is this departure from the holographic equipartition which drives the time evolution of the spacetime. (4) When the equations of motion hold, the (naturally defined) total energy of the gravity plus matter within a bulk region, will be equal to the boundary heat content. (5) After motivating the need for an alternate description of gravity (if we have to solve the cosmological constant problem), I describe a thermodynamic variational principle based on null surfaces to achieve this goal. The concept of gravitational heat density of the null surfaces arises naturally from the Noether charge associated with the null congruence. The null surface variational principle, in fact, extremises the total heat content of the matter plus gravity system. Several variations on this theme and implications are described. [Abridged]

heat content
principle
general relativity


The Return of the Templates: Revisiting the Galactic Center Excess with Multi-Messenger Observations

Abstract: The Galactic center excess (GCE) remains one of the most intriguing discoveries from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) observations. We revisit the characteristics of the GCE by first producing a new set of high-resolution galactic diffuse gamma-ray emission templates, which are ultimately due to cosmic-ray interactions with the interstellar medium. Using multi-messenger observations we constrain the properties of the galactic diffuse emission. The broad properties of the GCE that we find in this work are qualitatively unchanged despite the introduction of this new set of templates, though its quantitative features appear mildly different than those obtained in previous analyses. In particular, we find a high-energy tail at higher significance than previously reported. This tail is very prominent in the northern hemisphere, and less so in the southern hemisphere. This strongly affects one prominent interpretation of the excess: known millisecond pulsars are incapable of producing this high-energy emission, even in the relatively softer southern hemisphere, and are therefore disfavored as the sole explanation of the GCE. The annihilation of dark matter particles of mass 40^+10_-7 GeV (95% CL) to b quarks with a cross-section of σ v = 1.4^+0.6_-0.3× 10^-26 cm^3s^-1 provides a good fit to the excess especially in the relatively cleaner southern sky. Dark matter of the same mass range annihilating to b quarks or heavier dark matter particles annihilating to heavier Standard Model bosons can combine with millisecond pulsars to provide a good fit to the southern hemisphere emission. As part of this paper, we make publicly available all of our templates and the data covariance matrix we have generated to account for systematic uncertainties.[abridged]

galactic center excess
multi-messenger observation
pulsar
dark matter particle


Intro to Effective Field Theories and Inflation

Abstract: These notes present an introduction to ΛCDM cosmology and its possible inflationary precursor, with an emphasis on some of the ways effective field theories are used in its analysis. The intended audience are graduate students in particle physics, such as attended the lectures (prepared for the Les Houches Summer School, Effective Field Theory in Particle Physics and Cosmology, July 2017).

effective field theory
cosmology
vacuum energy


Particle creation and particle number in an expanding universe

Abstract: I describe the logical basis of the method that I developed in 1962 and 1963 to define a quantum operator corresponding to the observable particle number of a quantized free scalar field in a spatially-flat isotropically expanding (and/or contracting) universe. This work also showed for the first time that particles were created from the vacuum by the curved space-time of an expanding spatially-flat FLRW universe. The same process is responsible for creating the nearly scale-invariant spectrum of quantized perturbations of the inflaton scalar field during the inflationary stage of the expansion of the universe. I explain how the method that I used to obtain the observable particle number operator involved adiabatic invariance of the particle number (hence, the name adiabatic regularization) and the quantum theory of measurement of particle number in an expanding universe. I also show how I was led in a surprising way, to the discovery in 1964 that there would be no particle creation by these spatially-flat FLRW universes for free fields of any integer or half-integer spin satisfying field equations that are invariant under conformal transformations of the metric. The methods I used to define adiabatic regularization for particle number, were based on generally-covariant concepts like adiabatic invariance and measurement that were fundamental and determined results that were unique to each given adiabatic order.

universe
particle creation
quantum field theory
momentum conservation
minkowski space time


The dark side of curvature

Abstract: Geometrical tests such as the combination of the Hubble parameter H(z) and the angular diameter distance d_A(z) can, in principle, break the degeneracy between the dark energy equation of state parameter w(z), and the spatial curvature Omega_k in a direct, model-independent way. In practice, constraints on these quantities achievable from realistic experiments, such as those to be provided by Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) galaxy surveys in combination with CMB data, can resolve the cosmic confusion between the dark energy equation of state parameter and curvature only statistically and within a parameterized model for w(z). Combining measurements of both H(z) and d_A(z) up to sufficiently high redshifts around z = 2 and employing a parameterization of the redshift evolution of the dark energy equation of state are the keys to resolve the w(z)-Omega_k degeneracy.

curvature
degeneracy
dark energy equation
bao
cmb data


Cosmological Shapes of Higher-Spin Gravity

Abstract: We explore non-Gaussian features of a massless spin-two field in the Vasiliev theory of higher-spin gravity. The theory contains an infinite tower of interacting gauge fields with increasing spin, and admits four-dimensional asymptotically de Sitter configurations. Using a recent proposal for calculating late-time quantum correlations in Vasiliev theory, we provide an exact formula for the tensor non-Gaussianities of the massless spin-two graviton field. By general symmetry considerations, we relate our result to that produced by a tree-level calculation in a gravitational theory containing an Einstein term and a term cubic in the Weyl tensor. The relative coefficient between the two terms is calculated explicitly, exhibiting a significant contribution from the Weyl cubed term. We discuss potential cosmological implications of our results.

higher-spin gravity
cosmological collider
energy scale


Globular clusters with Gaia

Abstract: The treatment of crowded fields in Gaia data will only be a reality in a few years from now. In particular, for globular clusters, only the end-of-mission data (public in 2022-2023) will have the necessary full crowding treatment and will reach sufficient quality for the faintest stars. As a consequence, the work on the deblending and decontamination pipelines is still ongoing. We describe the present status of the pipelines for different Gaia instruments, and we model the end-of-mission crowding errors on the basis of available information. We then apply the nominal post-launch Gaia performances, appropriately worsened by the estimated crowding errors, to a set of 18 simulated globular clusters with different concentration, distance, and field contamination. We conclude that there will be 103-104 stars with astrometric performances virtually untouched by crowding (contaminated by <1 mmag) in the majority of clusters. The most limiting factor will be field crowding, not cluster crowding: the most contaminated clusters will only contain 10-100 clean stars. We also conclude that: (i) the systemic proper motions and parallaxes will be determined to 1 have radial velocities to a few km/s ; (ii) internal kinematics will be of unprecendented quality, cluster masses will be determined to 10 and beyond, and it will be possible to identify differences of a few km/s or less in the kinematics (if any) of cluster sub-populations up to 10 kpc and beyond; (iii) the brightest stars (V<17 mag) will have space-quality, wide-field photometry (mmag errors), and all Gaia photometry will have 1-3 errors on the absolute photometric calibration.

radial velocity
globular cluster
bright star


COFFE: a code for the full-sky relativistic galaxy correlation function

Abstract: We present a public version of the code COFFE (COrrelation Function Full-sky Estimator) available at https://github.com/JCGoran/coffe. The code computes the galaxy two-point correlation function and its multipoles in linear perturbation theory, including all relativistic and wide angle corrections. COFFE also calculates the covariance matrix for two physically relevant estimators of the correlation function multipoles. We illustrate the usefulness of our code by a simple but relevant example: a forecast of the detectability of the lensing signal in the multipoles of the two-point function. In particular, we show that lensing should be detectable in the multipoles of the two-point function, with a signal-to-noise larger than 10, in future surveys like Euclid or the SKA.

galaxy
two-point correlation function
relativistic effect


Galaxy Bispectrum from Massive Spinning Particles

Abstract: Massive spinning particles, if present during inflation, lead to a distinctive bispectrum of primordial perturbations, the shape and amplitude of which depend on the masses and spins of the extra particles. This signal, in turn, leaves an imprint in the statistical distribution of galaxies; in particular, as a non-vanishing galaxy bispectrum, which can be used to probe the masses and spins of these particles. In this paper, we present for the first time a new theoretical template for the bispectrum generated by massive spinning particles, valid for a general triangle configuration. We then proceed to perform a Fisher-matrix forecast to assess the potential of two next-generation spectroscopic galaxy surveys, EUCLID and DESI, to constrain the primordial non-Gaussianity sourced by these extra particles. We model the galaxy bispectrum using tree-level perturbation theory, accounting for redshift-space distortions and the Alcock-Paczynski effect, and forecast constraints on the primordial non-Gaussianity parameters marginalizing over all relevant biases and cosmological parameters. Our results suggest that these surveys would potentially be sensitive to any primordial non-Gaussianity with an amplitude larger than f_ NL≈ 1, for massive particles with spins 2, 3, and 4. Interestingly, if non-Gaussianities are present at that level, these surveys will be able to infer the masses of these spinning particles to within tens of percent. If detected, this would provide a very clear window into the particle content of our Universe during inflation.

galaxy bispectrum
cosmological collider physics
hubble scale


Finding the First Cosmic Explosions I: Pair-Instability Supernovae

Abstract: The first stars are the key to the formation of primitive galaxies, early cosmological reionization and chemical enrichment, and the origin of supermassive black holes. Unfortunately, in spite of their extreme luminosities, individual Population III stars will likely remain beyond the reach of direct observation for decades to come. However, their properties could be revealed by their supernova explosions, which may soon be detected by a new generation of NIR observatories such as JWST and WFIRST. We present light curves and spectra for Pop III pair-instability supernovae calculated with the Los Alamos radiation hydrodynamics code RAGE. Our numerical simulations account for the interaction of the blast with realistic circumstellar envelopes, the opacity of the envelope, and Lyman absorption by the neutral IGM at high redshift, all of which are crucial to computing the NIR signatures of the first cosmic explosions. We find that JWST will detect pair-instability supernovae out to z > 30, WFIRST will detect them in all-sky surveys out to z 15 - 20 and LSST and Pan-STARRS will find them at z 7 - 8. The discovery of these ancient explosions will probe the first stellar populations and reveal the existence of primitive galaxies that might not otherwise have been detected.

explosion
pair-instability supernovae
high redshift


Neutron stars - thermal emitters

Abstract: Confronting theoretical models with observations of thermal radiation emitted by neutron stars is one of the most important ways to understand the properties of both, superdense matter in the interiors of the neutron stars and dense magnetized plasmas in their outer layers. Here we review the theory of thermal emission from the surface layers of strongly magnetized neutron stars, and the main properties of the observational data. In particular, we focus on the nearby sources for which a clear thermal component has been detected, without being contaminated by other emission processes (magnetosphere, accretion, nebulae). We also discuss the applications of the modern theoretical models of the formation of spectra of strongly magnetized neutron stars to the observed thermally emitting objects.


Fourth Order Gravity, Scalar-Tensor-Vector Gravity, and Galaxy Rotation Curves

Abstract: The Lambda-CDM model is the best fit to cosmological data, and to the observed galactic rotation curves. However, in the absence of a direct detection of dark matter one should explore theories such as MOND, and perhaps also modified gravity theories like fourth order gravity and Scalar-Tensor-Vector Gravity [STVG] as possible explanations for the non-Keplerian behaviour of galaxy rotation curves. STVG has a modified law for gravitational acceleration which attempts to fit data by fixing two free parameters. We show that, remarkably, the biharmonic equation which we get in the weak field limit of the field equations in a fourth order gravity theory implies a modification of Newtonian acceleration which is precisely of the same repulsive Yukawa form as in the STVG theory, and the corrections could in principle be large enough to try and explain the observed rotation curves. We also explain how our model provides a first principles understanding of MOND. We also show that STVG and fourth order gravity predict an acceleration parameter a_0 whose value is of the same order as in MOND.

scalar-tensor-vector gravity
rotation curve
dark matter


The Third Order Scalar Induced Gravitational Waves

Abstract: Since the gravitational waves were detected by LIGO and Virgo, it has been promising that lots of information about the primordial Universe could be learned by further observations on stochastic gravitational waves background. The studies on gravitational waves induced by primordial curvature perturbations are of great interest. The aim of this paper is to investigate the third order induced gravitational waves. Based on the theory of cosmological perturbations, the first order scalar induces the second order scalar, vector and tensor perturbations. At the next iteration, the first order scalar, the second order scalar, vector and tensor perturbations all induce the third order tensor perturbations. We present the energy density spectrum of the third order gravitational waves for a monochromatic primordial power spectrum. The shape of the energy density spectrum of the third order gravitational waves is different from that of the second order scalar induced gravitational waves. And it is found that the third order gravitational waves sourced by the second order scalar perturbations dominate the energy density spectrum.

gravitational wave
primordial scalar perturbation
black hole


Boltzmann hierarchy for the cosmic microwave background at second order including photon polarization

Abstract: Non-gaussianity and B-mode polarization are particularly interesting features of the cosmic microwave background, as – at least in the standard model of cosmology – their only sources to first order in cosmological perturbation theory are primordial, possibly generated during inflation. If the primordial sources are small, the question arises how large is the non-gaussianity and B-mode background induced in second-order from the initially gaussian and scalar perturbations. In this paper we derive the Boltzmann hierarchy for the microwave background photon phase-space distributions at second order in cosmological perturbation theory including the complete polarization information, providing the basis for further numerical studies. As an aside we note that the second-order collision term contains new sources of B-mode polarization and that no polarization persists in the tight-coupling limit.

cosmic microwave background
b-mode polarization
scalar perturbation
boltzmann hierarchy


The Structure and Dark Halo Core Properties of Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies

Abstract: The structure and dark matter halo core properties of dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) are investigated. A double-isothermal model of an isothermal stellar system, embedded in an isothermal dark halo core provides an excellent fit to the various observed stellar surface density distributions. The stellar system can be well characterised by King profiles with a broad distribution of concentration parameters c. The core scale length of the stellar system a_* is sensitive to the central dark matter density rho_0. In contrast to single-component systems, the cut-off radius of the stellar system, rs_t, however does not trace the tidal radius but the core radius r_c of its dark matter halo. c is therefore sensitive to the ratio of the stellar to the dark matter velocity dispersion, sigma_*/sigma_0. Simple empirical relationships are derived that allow to calculate the dark halo core parameters rho_0, r_c and sigma_0, given the observable quantities sigma_*, a_* and c. The DIS model is applied to the Milky Way's dSphs. Their halo velocity dispersions lie in a narrow range of 10km/s <= sigma_0 <= 18km/s with halo core radii of 280pc <= r_c <= 1.3kpc and r_c=2a_*. All dSphs follow closely the same universal dark halo core scaling relation rho_0*r_c=75 Msolar/pc^2 that characterises the cores of more massive galaxies over several orders of magnitude in mass. The dark matter core mass is a strong function of core radius. Inside a fixed radius r_u, with r_u the logarithmic mean of the dSph's core radii, the total enclosed mass M_u is however roughly constant, although outliers should exist. For our dSphs we find r_u=400pc and M_u=2.6*10^7 Msolar. The core densities of the Galaxy's dSphs are very high, with rho_0=0.2 Msolar/pc^3. They should therefore be tidally undisturbed. Observational evidence for tidal effects might then provide a serious challenge for the cold dark matter scenario.

dwarf spheroidal galaxy
dark matter halo
core radius


Bootstrapping gravity: a consistent approach to energy-momentum self-coupling

Abstract: It is generally believed that coupling the graviton (a classical Fierz-Pauli massless spin-2 field) to its own energy-momentum tensor successfully recreates the dynamics of the Einstein field equations order by order; however the validity of this idea has recently been brought into doubt [1]. Motivated by this, we present a graviton action for which energy-momentum self-coupling is indeed consistent with the Einstein field equations. The Hilbert energy-momentum tensor for this graviton is calculated explicitly and shown to supply the correct second-order term in the field equations; in contrast, the Fierz-Pauli action fails to supply the correct term. A formalism for perturbative expansions of metric-based gravitational theories is then developed, and these techniques employed to demonstrate that our graviton action is a starting point for a straightforward energy-momentum self-coupling procedure that, order by order, generates the Einstein-Hilbert action (up to a classically irrelevant surface term). The perturbative formalism is extended to include matter and a cosmological constant, and interactions between perturbations of a free matter field and the gravitational field are studied in a vacuum background. Finally, the effect of a non-vacuum background is examined, and the graviton is found to develop a non-vanishing “mass-term” in the action.

energy-momentum self-coupling
tensor
gravitational field


Frequency-Dependent Dispersion Measures and Implications for Pulsar Timing

Abstract: We analyze the frequency dependence of the dispersion measure (DM), the column density of free electrons to a pulsar, caused by multipath scattering from small scale electron-density fluctuations. The DM is slightly different along each propagation path and the transverse spread of paths varies greatly with frequency, yielding time-of-arrival (TOA) perturbations that scale differently than the inverse square of the frequency, the expected dependence for a cold, unmagnetized plasma. We quantify DM and TOA perturbations analytically for thin phase screens and extended media and verify the results with simulations of thin screens. The rms difference between DMs across an octave band near 1.5 GHz ∼ 4×10^-5 pc cm^-3 for pulsars at ∼ 1 kpc distance. TOA errors from chromatic DMs are of order a few to hundreds of nanoseconds for pulsars with DM ≲ 30 pc cm^-3 observed across an octave band but increase rapidly to microseconds or larger for larger DMs and wider frequency ranges. Frequency-dependent DMs introduce correlated noise into timing residuals whose power spectrum is `low pass' in form. The correlation time is of order the geometric mean of the refraction times for the highest and lowest radio frequencies used and thus ranges from days to years, depending on the pulsar. We discuss the implications for methodologies that use large frequency separations or wide bandwidth receivers for timing measurements. Chromatic DMs are partially mitigable by using an additional chromatic term in arrival time models. Without mitigation, our results provide an additional term in the noise model for pulsar timing; they also indicate that in combination with measurement errors from radiometer noise, an arbitrary increase in total frequency range (or bandwidth) will yield diminishing benefits and may be detrimental to overall timing precision.

dispersion measure
pulsar timing
timing precision


A longitudinal gauge degree of freedom and the Pais Uhlenbeck field

Abstract: We show that a longitudinal gauge degree of freedom for a vector field is equivalent to a Pais-Uhlenbeck scalar field. With the help of this equivalence, we can determine natural interactions of this field with scalars and fermions. Since the theory has a global U(1) symmetry, we have the usual conserved current of the charged fields, thanks to which the dynamics of the scalar field is not modified by the interactions. We use this fact to consistently quantize the theory even in the presence of interactions. We argue that such a degree of freedom can only be excited by gravitational effects like the inflationary era of the early universe and may play the role of dark energy in the form of an effective cosmological constant whose value is linked to the inflation scale.

longitudinal gauge degree
gauge degree
cosmological constant
stueckelberg field


Variations on Birkhoff's theorem

Abstract: The relation between the expanding universe and local vacuum solutions, such as that for the Solar System, is crucially mediated by Birkhoff's theorem. Here we consider how that relation works, and give generalizations of Birkhoff's theorem when there are geometric and matter and perturbations. The issue of to what degree dark matter might influence the solar system emerges as a significant question.

birkhoff
vacuum solution
spherical symmetry


Asteroid families classification: exploiting very large data sets

Abstract: The number of asteroids with accurately determined orbits increases fast. The catalogs of asteroid physical observations have also increased, although the number of objects is still smaller than in the orbital catalogs. We developed a new approach to the asteroid family classification by combining the Hierarchical Clustering Method (HCM) with a method to add new members to existing families. This procedure makes use of the much larger amount of information contained in the proper elements catalogs, with respect to classifications using also physical observations for a smaller number of asteroids. Our work is based on the large catalog of the high accuracy synthetic proper elements (available from AstDyS). We first identify a number of core families; to these we attribute the next layer of smaller objects. Then, we remove all the family members from the catalog, and reapply the HCM to the rest. This gives both halo families which extend the core families and new independent families, consisting mainly of small asteroids. These two cases are discriminated by another step of attribution of new members and by merging intersecting families. By using information from absolute magnitudes, we take advantage of the larger size range in some families to analyze their shape in the proper semimajor axis vs. inverse diameter plane. This leads to a new method to estimate the family age (or ages). The results from the previous steps are then analyzed, using also auxiliary information on physical properties including WISE albedos and SDSS color indexes. This allows to solve some difficult cases of families overlapping in the proper elements space but generated by different collisional events. We analyze some examples of cratering families (Massalia, Vesta, Eunomia) which show internal structures, interpreted as multiple collisions. We also discuss why Ceres has no family.

hierarchical clustering method
large catalog
asteroid family classification


Turning in the landscape: a new mechanism for generating Primordial Black Holes

Abstract: We propose a new model-independent mechanism for producing primordial black holes from a period of multi-field inflation. This requires an enhancement of primordial fluctuations at short scales compared to their value at CMB scales. We show that such an amplification naturally occurs when the inflationary trajectory exhibits a strong turn, that is a limited period during which the trajectory strongly deviates from a geodesic in field space, and is sufficient for subsequently producing primordial black holes with the abundance to be all or a fraction of dark matter. Our mechanism is generic to models of inflation realized in a multi-dimensional field space with an overlying potential and geometry, also referred to as the inflationary landscape, as arises in embeddings of inflation in high-energy theories. We study analytically and numerically how the duration and the strength of the turn impact the primordial fluctuation power spectrum and the abundance of primordial black holes. Our mechanism has the potential of exhibiting unique features accessible to observation through the primordial black hole spectrum and the stochastic background of gravitational waves, offering a precious glimpse at the dynamics of inflation.

black hole
multi-field inflation
gravitational wave


On Detecting Halo Assembly Bias with Galaxy Populations

Abstract: The fact that the clustering of dark matter halos depends not only on their mass, but also the formation epoch, is a prominent, albeit subtle, feature of the cold dark matter structure formation theory, and is known as assembly bias. At low mass scales (∼ 10^12 h^-1M_⊙), early-forming halos are predicted to be more strongly clustered than the late-forming ones. In this study we aim to robustly detect the signature of assembly bias observationally, making use of formation time indicators of central galaxies in low mass halos as a proxy for the halo formation history. Weak gravitational lensing is employed to ensure our early- and late-forming halo samples have similar masses, and are free of contamination of satellites from more massive halos. For the two formation time indicators used (resolved star formation history and current specific star formation rate), we do not find convincing evidence of assembly bias. For a pair of early- and late-forming galaxy samples with mean mass M_200c≈ 9×10^11 h^-1M_⊙, the relative bias is 1.00± 0.12. We attribute the lack of detection to the possibilities that either the current measurements of these indicators are too noisy, or they do not correlate well with the halo formation history. Alternative proxies for the halo formation history that should perform better are suggested for future studies.

assembly bias
star formation rate
galaxy sample


I-ball formation with logarithmic potential

Abstract: A coherently oscillating real scalar field with potential shallower than quadratic one fragments into spherical objects called I-balls. We study the I-ball formation for logarithmic potential which appears in many cosmological models. We perform lattice simulations and find that the I-balls are formed when the potential becomes dominated by the quadratic term. Furthermore, we estimate the I-ball profile assuming that the adiabatic invariant is conserved during formation and obtain the result that agrees to the numerical simulations.

logarithmic potential
spherical object
quadratic term
i-ball formation
oscillon


Warm natural inflation

Abstract: In warm inflation models there is the requirement of generating large dissipative couplings of the inflaton with radiation, while at the same time, not de-stabilising the flatness of the inflaton potential due to radiative corrections. One way to achieve this without fine tuning unrelated couplings is by supersymmetry. In this paper we show that if the inflaton and other light fields are Pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Bosons then the radiative corrections to the potential are suppressed and the thermal corrections are small as long as the temperature is below the symmetry breaking scale. In such models it is possible to fulfill the contrary requirements of an inflaton potential which is stable under radiative corrections and the generation of a large dissipative coupling of the inflaton field with other light fields. We construct a warm inflation model which gives the observed CMB-anisotropy amplitude and spectral index where the symmetry breaking is at the GUT scale.

natural inflation
coefficient
additional field


Comprehensive cosmographic analysis by Markov Chain Method

Abstract: We study the possibility to extract model independent information about the dynamics of the universe by using Cosmography. We intend to explore it systematically, to learn about its limitations and its real possibilities. Here we are sticking to the series expansion approach on which Cosmography is based. We apply it to different data sets: Supernovae Type Ia (SNeIa), Hubble parameter extracted from differential galaxy ages, Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) and the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) data. We go beyond past results in the literature extending the series expansion up to the fourth order in the scale factor, which implies the analysis of the deceleration, q_0, the jerk, j_0 and the snap, s_0. We use the Markov Chain Monte Carlo Method (MCMC) to analyze the data statistically. We also try to relate direct results from Cosmography to dark energy (DE) dynamical models parameterized by the Chevalier-Polarski-Linder (CPL) model, extracting clues about the matter content and the dark energy parameters. The main results are: a) even if relying on a mathematical approximate assumption such as the scale factor series expansion in terms of time, cosmography can be extremely useful in assessing dynamical properties of the Universe; b) the deceleration parameter clearly confirms the present acceleration phase; c) the MCMC method can help giving narrower constraints in parameter estimation, in particular for higher order cosmographic parameters (the jerk and the snap), with respect to the literature; d) both the estimation of the jerk and the DE parameters, reflect the possibility of a deviation from the LCDM cosmological model.

markov chain method
cosmography
scale factor


A Robust BAO Extractor

Abstract: We define a procedure to extract the oscillating part of a given nonlinear Power Spectrum, and derive an equation describing its evolution including the leading effects at all scales. The intermediate scales are taken into account by standard perturbation theory, the long range (IR) displacements are included by using consistency relations, and the effect of small (UV) scales is included via effective coefficients computed in simulations. We show that the UV effects are irrelevant in the evolution of the oscillating part, while they play a crucial role in reproducing the smooth component. Our "extractor" operator can be applied to simulations and real data in order to extract the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) without any fitting function and nuisance parameter. We conclude that the nonlinear evolution of BAO can be accurately reproduced at all scales down to z=0 by our fast analytical method, without any need of extra parameters fitted from simulations.


Scalar Domain Wall as the Universe

Abstract: We develop a formulation where for an arbitrarily given warp factor, we construct a scalar field action which reproduces the warp factor as a solution of the Einstein equation and field equation corresponding to the action. This formulation could be called as the reconstruction. By using the formulation of the reconstruction, we construct models which have an exact solution describing the domain wall. The shape of the domain wall can be flat, de Sitter space-time, or anti-de Sitter space-time. In the constructed domain wall solutions, there often appears ghost with negative kinetic energy. We give, however, an example of the de Sitter domain wall solution without ghost, which could be a toy model of inflation. We also investigate the localization of gravity as in the Randall-Sundrum model. It is demonstrated that the four dimensional Newton law could be reproduced even in the de Sitter space-time domain wall solution. We show that we can construct a space-time, where the domain wall is the general Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universe and the warp factor can be arbitrary. For such a construction, we use two scalar fields. It is also illustrated that the scalar field equations are equivalent to the Bianchi identities: ∇^μ (R_μν - 1/2R g_μν)=0.

domain wall
universe
scalar field
bianchi identity