De Sitter Background Research Articles

Oscillating instanton solutions in curved space

We investigate oscillating instanton solutions of a self-gravitating scalar field between degenerate vacua. We show that there exist O(4)-symmetric oscillating solutions in a de Sitter background. The geometry of this solution is finite and preserves the $Z_{2}$ symmetry. The nontrivial solution corresponding to tunneling is possible only if the effect of gravity is taken into account. We present numerical solutions of this instanton, including the phase diagram of solutions in terms of the parameters of the present work and the variation of energy densities. Our solutions can be interpreted as solutions describing an instanton-induced domain wall or braneworld-like object rather than a kink-induced domain wall or braneworld. The oscillating instanton solutions have a thick wall and the solutions can be interpreted as a mechanism providing nucleation of the thick wall for topological inflation. We remark that $Z_{2}$ invariant solutions also exist in a flat and anti-de Sitter background, though the physical significance is not clear.

Particle propagation and effective space-time in gravity’s rainbow

Basing on the results obtained in a our previous study on Gravity's Rainbow, we determine the quantum corrections to the space-time metric for the Schwarzschild and the de Sitter background, respectively. We analyze how quantum fluctuations alter these metrics inducing modifications on the propagation of test particles. Significantly enough we find that quantum corrections can become relevant not only for particles approaching the Planck energy but, due to the one loop contribution, even for low-energy particles as far as Planckian length scales are considered. We briefly compare our results with others obtained in similar studies and with the recent experimental OPERA announcement of superluminal neutrino propagation.

Correlation of inflation-produced magnetic fields with scalar fluctuations

If the conformal invariance of electromagnetism is broken during inflation, then primordial magnetic fields may be produced. If this symmetry breaking is generated by the coupling between electromagnetism and a scalar field---e.g. the inflaton, curvaton, or the Ricci scalar---then these magnetic fields may be correlated with primordial density perturbations, opening a new window to the study of non-gaussianity in cosmology. In order to illustrate, we couple electromagnetism to an auxiliary scalar field in a de Sitter background. We calculate the power spectra for scalar-field perturbations and magnetic fields, showing how a scale-free magnetic field spectrum with rms amplitude of ~nG at Mpc scales may be achieved. We explore the Fourier-space dependence of the cross-correlation between the scalar field and magnetic fields, showing that the dimensionless amplitude, measured in units of the power spectra, can grow as large as ~500 H_I/M, where H_I is the inflationary Hubble constant and M is the effective mass scale of the coupling.

The graviton propagator in de Donder gauge on de Sitter background

We construct the graviton propagator on de Sitter background in exact de Donder gauge. We prove that it must break de Sitter invariance, just like the propagator of the massless, minimally coupled scalar. Our explicit solutions for its two scalar structure functions preserve spatial homogeneity and isotropy so that the propagator can be used within the larger context of inflationary cosmology; however, it is simple to alter the residual symmetry. Because our gauge condition is de Sitter invariant (although no solution for the propagator can be) renormalization should be simpler using this propagator than one based on a noncovariant gauge. It remains to be seen how other computational steps compare.

Back-reaction and effective acceleration in generic LTB dust models

We provide a thorough examination of the conditions for the existence of back-reaction and an ‘effective’ acceleration (in the context of Buchert’s averaging formalism) in regular generic spherically symmetric Lemaître–Tolman–Bondi (LTB) dust models. By considering arbitrary spherical comoving domains,we verify rigorously the fulfillment of these conditions expressed in terms of suitable scalar variables that are evaluated at the boundary of every domain. Effective deceleration necessarily occurs in all domains in (a) the asymptotic radial range of models converging to a FLRW background (b) the asymptotic time range of non-vacuum hyperbolic models (c) LTB self-similar solutions and (d) near a simultaneous big bang. Accelerating domains are proven to exist in the following scenarios: (i) central vacuum regions(ii) central (non-vacuum) density voids (iii) the intermediate radial range of models converging to a FLRW background (iv) the asymptotic radial range of models converging to a Minkowski vacuum and (v) domains near and or intersecting a non-simultaneous big bang. All these scenarios occur in hyperbolic models with negative averaged and local spatial curvature though scenarios (iv) and (v) are also possible in low density regions of a class of elliptic models in which the local spatial curvature is negative but its average is positive. Rough numerical estimates between −0.003 and −0.5 were found for the effective deceleration parameter. While the existence of accelerating domains cannot be ruled out in models converging to an Einstein–de Sitter background and in domains undergoing gravitational collapse the conditions for this are very restrictive. The results obtained may provide important theoretical clues on the effects of back-reaction and averaging in more general non-spherical models.Communicated by L Andersson

Dirac equation for massive neutrinos in a Schwarzschild–de Sitter spacetime from a 5D vacuum

Starting from a Dirac equation for massless neutrino in a 5D Ricci-flat background metric, we obtain the effective 4D equation for massive neutrino in a Schwarzschild–de Sitter (SdS) background metric from an extended SdS 5D Ricci-flat metric. We use the fact that the spin connection is defined to an accuracy of a vector, so that the covariant derivative of the spinor field is strongly dependent of the background geometry. We show that the mass of the neutrino can be induced from the extra space-like dimension.

Inflationary non-Gaussianities in the most general second-order scalar-tensor theories

For very general scalar-field theories in which the equations of motion are at second-order, we evaluate the three-point correlation function of primordial scalar perturbations generated during inflation. We show that the shape of non-Gaussianities is well approximated by the equilateral type. The equilateral non-linear parameter f_NL^equil is derived on the quasi de Sitter background where the slow-variation parameters are much smaller than unity. We apply our formula for f_NL^equil to a number of single-field models of inflation--such as k-inflation, k-inflation with Galileon terms, potential-driven Galileon inflation, nonminimal coupling models (including field-derivative coupling models), and Gauss-Bonnet gravity.

Gravitational fluctuations in de Sitter cosmology

De Sitter spacetime plays an important role in cosmology: the geometry of most inflationary models is close to de Sitter spacetime and so will be the late-time behavior of the present universe with accelerated expansion. In linearized perturbation theory the metric fluctuations in a de Sitter cosmology describe very well the anisotropies of the microwave background and the observed large scale structure. Recently there has been some interest in the need to go beyond the linear approximation to include the effect of matter loops. This will allow testing perturbation theory in a de Sitter background, checking possible large back-reaction effects on the de Sitter geometry, and also eventually to discriminate between inflationary models that lead to similar results at tree level. Working in the framework of stochastic gravity, or equivalently in the large N expansion, one may derive the two-point correlations for the gravitational fluctuations incorporating the effects of matter loops. One may characterize the quantum gravitational fluctuations in a gauge invariant way by the two-point functions of the linearized Riemann tensor. This can be given in terms of the two-point linearized Einstein and Weyl tensors. Assuming minimally coupled scalar fields in a de Sitter invariant state, the two-point functions of the linearized Einstein tensor over the de Sitter background have been computed in terms of de Sitter invariant bi-tensors.

Self-regulation of infrared correlations for massless scalar fields during inflation

Self-energies of a minimally coupled scalar field with quartic and trilinear interactions are calculated in a de Sitter background, using a position space propagator. For quartic interactions, we recover earlier results for the seagull diagram, namely that it contributes an effective mass for the scalar field at leading order in the infrared enhancement in a steady-state de Sitter background. We further show that the sunset diagram also contributes to this effective mass and argue that these two contributions are sufficient in order to determine a self-consistent dynamical mass. In addition, trilinear interactions also induce a dynamical mass for the scalar field which we calculate. Since an interacting scalar field in de Sitter acquires a dynamical mass through these loop corrections, the infrared divergences of the two-point correlator are naturally self-regulated.

Cosmological production of noncommutative black holes

We investigate the pair creation of noncommutative black holes in a background with a positive cosmological constant. As a first step we derive the noncommutative geometry inspired Schwarzschild--de Sitter solution. By varying the mass and the cosmological constant parameters, we find several spacetimes compatible with the new solution: positive-mass spacetimes admit one cosmological horizon and two, one, or no black hole horizons, while negative-mass spacetimes have just a cosmological horizon. These new black holes share the properties of the corresponding asymptotically flat solutions, including the nonsingular core and thermodynamic stability in the final phase of the evaporation. As a second step we determine the action which generates the matter sector of gravitational field equations and we construct instantons describing the pair production of black holes and the other admissible topologies. As a result we find that for current values of the cosmological constant the de Sitter background is quantum mechanically stable according to experience. However, positive-mass noncommutative black holes and solitons would have plentifully been produced during inflationary times for Planckian values of the cosmological constant. As a special result we find that, in these early epochs of the Universe, Planck size black holes production would have been largely disfavored. We also find a potential instability for production of negative-mass solitons.

Infrared stability of de Sitter QFT: Results at all orders

We show that the Hartle-Hawking vacuum for any theory of interacting massive scalars on a fixed de Sitter background is both perturbatively well defined and stable in the IR. Correlation functions in this state may be computed on the Euclidean section and Wick rotated to Lorentz signature. The results are manifestly de Sitter-invariant and contain only the familiar UV singularities. More importantly, the connected parts of all Lorentz-signature correlators decay at large separations of their arguments. Our results apply to all cases in which the free Euclidean vacuum is well defined, including scalars with masses belonging to both the complementary and principal series of $SO(D,1)$. This suggests that interacting Quantum Field Theories in de Sitter---including higher spin fields---are perturbatively IR stable at least when i) the Euclidean vacuum of the zero-coupling theory exists and ii) corresponding Lorentz-signature zero-coupling correlators decay at large separations. This work has significant overlap with a paper by Stefan Hollands, which is being released simultaneously.

Weak-field limit off(R)gravity in three and more spatial dimensions

We investigate a pointlike massive source in nonlinear $f(R)$ theories in the case of an arbitrary number of spatial dimensions $D\ensuremath{\ge}3$. If $D>3$ then extra dimensions undergo toroidal compactification. We consider a weak-field approximation with Minkowski and de Sitter background solutions. In both these cases pointlike massive sources demonstrate good agreement with experimental data only in the case of ordinary three-dimensional ($D=3$) space. We generalize this result to the case of a perfect fluid with dustlike equations of state in the external and internal spaces. This perfect fluid is uniformly smeared over all extra dimensions and enclosed in a three-dimensional sphere. In ordinary three-dimensional ($D=3$) space, our formulas are useful for experimental constraints on parameters of $f(R)$ models.

METRIC FLUCTUATIONS IN DE SITTER SPACETIME IN STOCHASTIC GRAVITY

Stochastic gravity extends semiclassical gravity by allowing for a systematic and self-consistent description of the metric fluctuations produced by the quantum fluctuations of the stress tensor. The effect of minimally coupled scalar fields with arbitrary mass in de Sitter spacetime is discussed, assuming that these fields are in the Bunch–Davies de Sitter invariant vacuum. The matter field fluctuations are described by the noise kernel which is obtained from the symmetrized two-point correlation of the stress tensor operator. The noise kernel is computed in terms of de Sitter invariant bi-tensors. It turns out that in a de Sitter background the two-point function of the linearized Einstein tensor, which is gauge invariant, is directly related to the noise kernel.

Tackling higher derivative ghosts with the Euclidean path integral

An alternative to the effective field theory approach to treat ghosts in higher derivative theories is to attempt to integrate them out via the Euclidean path integral formalism. It has been suggested that this method could provide a consistent framework within which we might tolerate the ghost degrees of freedom that plague, among other theories, the higher derivative gravity models that have been proposed to explain cosmic acceleration. We consider the extension of this idea to treating a class of terms with order six derivatives, and find that for a general term the Euclidean path integral approach works in the most trivial background, Minkowski. Moreover we see that even in de Sitter background, despite some difficulties, it is possible to define a probability distribution for tensorial perturbations of the metric.

De Sitter Galileon

We generalize the Galileon symmetry and its relativistic extension to a de Sitter background. This is made possible by studying a probe-brane in a flat five-dimensional bulk using a de Sitter slicing.The generalized Lovelock invariants induced on the probe brane enjoy the induced Poincaré symmetry inherited from the bulk, while living on a de Sitter geometry. The non-relativistic limit of these invariants naturally maintain a generalized Galileon symmetry around de Sitter while being free of ghost-like pathologies. We comment briefly on the cosmology of these models and the extension to the AdS symmetry as well as generic FRW backgrounds.

Blackfolds in (anti)-de Sitter backgrounds

We construct different neutral blackfold solutions in Anti-de Sitter and de Sitter background spacetimes in the limit where the cosmological constant is taken to be much smaller than the horizon size. This includes a class of blackfolds with horizons that are products of odd-spheres times a transverse sphere, for which the thermodynamic stability is also studied. Moreover, we exhibit a specific case in which the same blackfold solution can describe different limiting black hole spacetimes therefore illustrating the geometric character of the blackfold approach. Furthermore, we show that the higher-dimensional Kerr-(Anti)-de Sitter black hole allows for ultraspinning regimes in the same limit under consideration and demonstrate that this is correctly described by a pancaked blackfold geometry. We also give evidence for the possibility of saturating the rigidity theorem in these backgrounds.

Scalar graviton in the healthy extension of Hořava-Lifshitz theory

In this note we study the linear dynamics of scalar graviton in a de Sitter background in the infrared limit of the healthy extension of Ho\v{r}ava-Lifshitz gravity with the dynamical critical exponent $z=3$. Both our analytical and numerical results show that the non-zero Fourier modes of scalar graviton oscillate with an exponentially damping amplitude on the sub-horizon scale, while on the super-horizon scale, the phases are frozen and they approach to some asymptotic values. In addition, as the case of the non-zero modes on super-horizon scale, the zero mode also initially decays exponentially and then approaches to an asymptotic constant value.

Anisotropic stress and stability in modified gravity models

The existence of anisotropic stress of a purely geometrical origin seems to be a characteristic of higher order gravity models, and has been suggested as a probe to test these models observationally, for example in weak lensing experiments. In this paper, we seek to find a class of higher order gravity models of f(R,G) type that would give us a zero anisotropic stress and study the consequences for the viability of the actual model. For the special case of a de Sitter background, we identify a subclass of models with the desired property. We also find a direct link between anisotropic stress and the stability of the model as well as the presence of extra degrees of freedom, which seems to be a general feature of higher order gravity models. Particularly, setting the anisotropic stress equal to zero for a de Sitter background leads to a singularity that makes it impossible to reach the de Sitter evolution.

The Kerr–de Sitter universe

It is now widely accepted that the universe as we understand it is accelerating in expansion and fits the de Sitter model rather well. As such, a realistic assumption of black holes must place them on a de Sitter background and not Minkowski as is typically done in general relativity. The most astrophysically relevant black hole is the uncharged, rotating Kerr solution, a member of the more general Kerr–Newman metrics. A generalization of the rotating Kerr black hole to a solution of the Einstein's equation with a cosmological constant Λ was discovered by Carter (1973 Les Astres Occlus ed B DeWitt and C M DeWitt (New York: Gordon and Breach)). It is typically referred to as the Kerr–de Sitter spacetime. Here, we discuss the horizon structure of this spacetime and its dependence on Λ. We recall that in a Λ > 0 universe, the term ‘extremal black hole’ refers to a black hole with angular momentum J > M2. We obtain explicit numerical results for the black hole's maximal spin value and get a distribution of admissible Kerr holes in the (Λ, spin) parameter space. We look at the conformal structure of the extended spacetime and the embedding of the 3-geometry of the spatial hypersurfaces. In analogy with Reissner–Nordström–de Sitter spacetime, in particular by considering the Kerr–de Sitter causal structure as a distortion of the Reissner–Nordström–de Sitter one, we show that spatial sections of the extended spacetime are 3-spheres containing two-dimensional topologically spherical sections of the horizons of Kerr holes at the poles. Depending on how a t = constant 3-space is defined, these holes may be seen as black or white holes (four possible combinations).

Chiral Vacuum Fluctuations in Quantum Gravity

We examine tensor perturbations around a deSitter background within the framework of Ashtekar's variables and its cousins parameterized by the Immirzi parameter γ. At the classical level we recover standard cosmological perturbation theory, with illuminating insights. Quantization leads to real novelties. In the low energy limit we find a second quantized theory of gravitons which displays different vacuum fluctuations for right and left gravitons. Nonetheless right and left gravitons have the same (positive) energies, resolving a number of paradoxes suggested in the literature. The right-left asymmetry of the vacuum fluctuations depends on γ and the ordering of the Hamiltonian constraint, and it would leave a distinctive imprint in the polarization of the cosmic microwave background, thus opening quantum gravity to observational test.