Homogeneous Scalar Field Research Articles

Gravitational collapse of a homogeneous scalar field coupled kinematically to Einstein tensor

We study the gravitational collapse of a homogeneous time-dependent scalar field that, besides its coupling to curvature, is also kinematically coupled to the Einstein tensor. This coupling is a part of the Horndeski theory and we investigate its effect on the collapsing process. We find that the time required for the scalar field to collapse depends on the value of the derivative coupling and the singularity is protected by a horizon. Matching the internal solution with an external Schwarzschild-anti--de Sitter metric we show that a black hole is formed, while the weak energy condition is satisfied during the collapsing process. The scalar field takes on a finite value at the singularity.

On corpuscular theory of inflation

In order to go beyond the mean-field approximation, commonly used in the inflationary computations, an identification of the quantum constituents of the inflationary background is made. In particular, the homogeneous scalar field configuration is represented as a Bose–Einstein condensate of the off-shell inflaton degrees of freedom, with mass significantly screened by the gravitational binding energy. The gravitational counterpart of the classical background is considered to be a degenerate state of the off-shell longitudinal gravitons with the frequency of the order of the Hubble scale. As a result, the origin of the density perturbations in the slow-roll regime is identified as an uncertainty in the position of the constituent inflatons. While in the regime of eternal inflation, the scattering of the constituent gravitons becomes the relevant source of the density perturbations. The gravitational waves, on the other hand, originate from the annihilation of the constituent longitudinal gravitons at all energy scales. This results in the quantum depletion of the classical background, leading to the upper bound on the number of e-folds, after which the semi-classical description is expected to break down; this is estimated to be of the order of the entropy of the initial Hubble patch.

Future evolution in a backreaction model and the analogous scalar field cosmology

We investigate the future evolution of the universe using the Buchert framework for averaged backreaction in the context of a two-domain partition of the universe. We show that this approach allows for the possibility of the global acceleration vanishing at a finite future time, provided that none of the subdomains accelerate individually. The model at large scales is analogously described in terms of a homogeneous scalar field emerging with a potential that is fixed and free from phenomenological parametrization. The dynamics of this scalar field is explored in the analogous FLRW cosmology. We use observational data from Type Ia Supernovae, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations, and Cosmic Microwave Background to constrain the parameters of the model for a viable cosmology, providing the corresponding likelihood contours.

Cosmological perturbations in coherent oscillating scalar field models

The fact that fast oscillating homogeneous scalar fields behave as perfect fluids in average and their intrinsic isotropy have made these models very fruitful in cosmology. In this work we will analyse the perturbations dynamics in these theories assuming general power law potentials $V(\phi)=\lambda \vert\phi\vert^{n}/n$. At leading order in the wavenumber expansion, a simple expression for the effective sound speed of perturbations is obtained $c_{\text{eff}}^2 = \omega=(n-2)/(n+2)$ with $\omega$ the effective equation of state. We also obtain the first order correction in $k^2/\omega_{\text{eff}}^2$, when the wavenumber $k$ of the perturbations is much smaller than the background oscillation frequency, $\omega_{\text{eff}}$. For the standard massive case we have also analysed general anharmonic contributions to the effective sound speed. These results are reached through a perturbed version of the generalized virial theorem and also studying the exact system both in the super-Hubble limit, deriving the natural ansatz for $\delta\phi$; and for sub-Hubble modes, exploiting Floquet's theorem.

Stability of a Noncanonical Scalar Field Model during Cosmological Date

Using the noncanonical model of scalar field, the cosmological consequences of a pervasive, self-interacting, homogeneous, and rolling scalar field are studied. In this model, the scalar field potential is “nonlinear” and decreases in magnitude with increasing the value of the scalar field. A special solution of the nonlinear field equations ofϕthat has time dependency as fixed point is obtained. The fixed point relies on the noncanonical term of action andγ-parameter; this parameter appeared in energy density of scalar field redshift. By means of such fixed point the different eigenvalues of the equation of motion will be obtained. In different epochs in the evolution of the Universe for different values ofqandn, the potentials as a function of scalar field are attained. The behavior of baryonic perturbations in linear perturbation scenario as a considerable amount of energy density of scalar field at low redshifts prevents the growth of perturbations in the ordinary matter fluid. The energy density in the scalar field is not appreciably perturbed by nonrelativistic gravitational fields, in either the radiation or matter dominant or scalar field dominated epoch.

Applicability of the Wigner functional approach to evolution of quantum fields

Evolution of highly excited quantum field is considered in the framework of Keldysh formalism . It is demonstrated that leading order (LO) term of semiclassical approximation appears as well-known Classical Statistical Approximation (CSA). In simple case of spatially homogeneous scalar field analytical expressions for leading and next-to-leading (NLO) order are presented. It is shown that the range of applicability of CSA strongly depends on the properties of the initial state of the system

Scalar field collapse with negative cosmological constant

The formation of black holes or naked singularities is studied in a model in which a homogeneous time-dependent scalar field with an exponential potential couples to four-dimensional gravity with negative cosmological constant. An analytic solution is derived and its consequences are discussed. The model depends only on one free parameter, which determines the equation of state and decides the fate of the spacetime. Without fine tuning the value of this parameter the collapse ends in a generic formation of a black hole or a naked singularity. The latter case violates the cosmic censorship conjecture.

Hyperbolic inflation in the light of Planck 2015 data

Rubano and Barrow have discussed the emergence of a dark energy, with late-time cosmic acceleration arising from a self-interacting homogeneous scalar field with a potential of hyperbolic power type. Here, we study the evolution of this scalar field potential back in the inflationary era. Using the hyperbolic power potential in the framework of inflation, we find that the main slow-roll parameters, like the scalar spectral index, the running of the spectral index and the tensor-to-scalar fluctuation ratio can be computed analytically. Finally, in order to test the viability of this hyperbolic scalar field model at the early stages of the Universe, we compare the predictions of that model against the latest observational data, namely Planck 2015.

Classical and quantum cosmology with York time

We consider a solution to the problem of time in quantum gravity by deparameterization of the ADM action in terms of York time, a parameter proportional to the extrinsic curvature of a spatial hypersurface. We study a minisuperspace model together with a homogeneous scalar field, for which we can solve the Hamiltonian constraint exactly and arrive at an explicit expression for the physical (non-vanishing) Hamiltonian. The scale factor and associated momentum cease to be dynamical variables, leaving the scalar field as the only physical degree of freedom. We investigate the resulting classical theory, showing how the dynamics of the scale factor can be recovered via an appropriate interpretation of the Hamiltonian as a volume. We then quantize the system in the Schrödinger picture. In the quantum theory we recover the dynamics of the scale factor by interpreting the spectrum and expectation value of the Hamiltonian as being associated with volume rather than energy. If trajectories in the sense of de Broglie–Bohm are introduced in the quantum theory, these are found to match those of the classical theory. We suggest that these trajectories may provide the basis for a perturbation theory in which both background and perturbations are quantized.

The BICEP2 data and a single Higgs-like interacting scalar field

It is proposed that the recently announced BICEP2 value of tensor-to-scalar ratio r ~ 0.2 can be explained as containing an extra contribution from the recent acceleration of the universe. In fact this contribution, being robust, recent and of much longer duration (by a large order of magnitude) may dominate the contribution from the inflationary origin. In a possible scenario, matter (dark or baryonic) and radiation etc. can emerge from a single Higgs-like tachyonic scalar field in the universe through a physical mechanism not yet fully known to us. The components interact among themselves to achieve the thermodynamical equilibrium in the evolution of the universe. The field potential for the present acceleration of the universe would give a boost to the amplitude of the tensor fluctuations of gravity waves generated by the early inflation and the net effects may be higher than the earlier Planck bounds. In the process, the dark energy, as a cosmological constant decays into creation of dark matter. The diagnostics for the three-component, spatially homogeneous tachyonic scalar field are discussed in detail. The components of the field with perturbed equation of state (EoS) are taken to interact mutually and the conservation of energy for individual components gets violated. We study mainly the Om(x) diagnostics with the observed set of H(z) values at various redshifts, and the dimensionless statefinders for these interacting components. This analysis provides a strong case for the interacting dark energy in our model.

Time‐reparametrization invariance and Hamilton‐Jacobi approach to the cosmological σ‐model

AbstractThe construction of physical models with local time‐reparametrization invariance is reviewed. Negative‐energy contributions to the hamiltonian are shown to be crucial for the realization of this reparametrization symmetry. The covariant formulation of the dynamics is used to develop a time and gauge invariant Hamilton‐Jacobi theory. This formalism is applied to solve for the cosmology of a homogeneous universe of the Friedmann‐Lemaître‐Robertson‐Walker type. After a discussion of empty universes, the FLRW theory is extended with homogeneous scalar fields generically described by a σ‐model on some scalar manifold. An explicit gauge‐invariant solution is constructed for the non‐linear O(N)‐models.

Instability of an emergent universe

Oscillating solutions to the effective equations of Loop Quantum Cosmology have been suggested for the role of an `eternal seed', providing a possible starting point for the emergent universe scenario. We investigate the stability of a particular model, sourced by a homogeneous massless scalar field and a negative cosmological constant, with respect to small perturbations and to quantum collapse. We find that the model has perturbatively stable and unstable solutions, with both types of solutions occupying significant regions of the parameter space. All solutions are unstable with respect to collapse by quantum tunneling to zero size. We discuss the possibility that the state resulting from the collapse is non-singular, so it may tunnel back to the oscillating regime. We argue that the universe is then likely to evolve to states of very large size with large particle occupation numbers.

Gravitational collapse of a homogeneous scalar field in deformed phase space

We study the gravitational collapse of a homogeneous scalar field, minimally coupled to gravity, in the presence of a particular type of dynamical deformation between the canonical momenta of the scale factor and of the scalar field. In the absence of such a deformation, a class of solutions can be found in the literature [R. Goswami and P. S. Joshi], whereby a curvature singularity occurs at the collapse end state, which can be either hidden behind a horizon or be visible to external observers. However, when the phase space is deformed, as implemented herein this paper, we find that the singularity may be either removed or instead, attained faster. More precisely, for negative values of the deformation parameter, we identify the emergence of a negative pressure term, which slows down the collapse so that the singularity is replaced with a bounce. In this respect, the formation of a dynamical horizon can be avoided depending on the suitable choice of the boundary surface of the star. Whereas for positive values, the pressure that originates from the deformation effects assists the collapse toward the singularity formation. In this case, since the collapse speed is unbounded, the condition on the horizon formation is always satisfied and furthermore the dynamical horizon develops earlier than when the phase-space deformations are absent. These results are obtained by means of a thoroughly numerical discussion.

DBI-type tachyons for inverse cosh potential

We consider classical and quantum dynamics of a tachyonic system described by a DBI type Lagrangian and inverse cosh potential. This investigation is partially motivated by the string theory and D-brane dynamics, but mostly by their application in cosmological inflation. A formalism for describing dynamics of spatially homogenous tachyon scalar field with this kind of potentials is developed. Classical actions and corresponding quantum propagators in the Feynman path integral approach, both on real and nonarchimedean spaces, are calculated. Possibilities for a quantum adelic generalization of these models are noticed. Cosmological applications are pointed out and discussed.

Cosmic expansion driven by real scalar field for different forms of potential

We discuss the expansion of the universe in the FRLW model assuming that the source of dark energy is either tachyonic scalar field or quintessence. The tachyonic scalar field with exponential and power-law potential (function of homogeneous scalar field $\phi$) both gives exponential expansion of the universe. It is found that this behaviour is not distinguishable from the quintessence with respect to these potentials.

Conformally-coupled ELKO Spinor and Scalar-tensor Gravity

We suggest that the theory with conformal coupling of ELKO dark spinor fields to gravity belongs to a class of scalar-tensor theories of gravity. When the dark spinor can be decomposed into a homogeneous real scalar field and a constant spinor field in Robertson-Walker spacetime, we study cosmology by considering the renormalizable potential of the field. With the energy density and the pressure of the spinor calculated, we find solutions for a(t) in the case where the scalar field is assumed to take a special form. We discuss the possibility that both the inflaton- and the dark energy-dominated eras of our universe can be described by using the dark spinor.

Cosmological hysteresis and the cyclic universe

A Universe filled with a homogeneous scalar field exhibits `Cosmological hysteresis'. Cosmological hysteresis is caused by the asymmetry in the equation of state during expansion and contraction. This asymmetry results in the formation of a hysteresis loop: $\oint pdV$, whose value can be non-vanishing during each oscillatory cycle. For flat potentials, a negative value of the hysteresis loop leads to the increase in amplitude of consecutive cycles and to a universe with older and larger successive cycles. Such a universe appears to possess an arrow of time even though entropy production is absent and all of the equations respect time-reversal symmetry ! Cosmological hysteresis appears to be widespread and exists for a large class of scalar field potentials and mechanisms for making the universe bounce. For steep potentials, the value of the hysteresis loop can be positive as well as negative. The expansion factor in this case displays quasi-periodic behaviour in which successive cycles can be both larger as well as smaller than previous ones. This quasi-regular pattern resembles the phenomenon of BEATS displayed by acoustic systems. Remarkably, the expression relating the increase/decrease in oscillatory cycles to the quantum of hysteresis appears to be model independent. The cyclic scenario is extended to spatially anisotropic models and it is shown that the anisotropy density decreases during successive cycles if the hysteresis loop is negative.

Two-component perfect fluid in FRW universe

We consider the cosmological model which allows to describe on equal footing the evolution of matter in the universe on the time interval from the inflation till the domination of dark energy. The matter is considered as a two-component perfect fluid imitated by homogeneous scalar fields between which there is energy exchange. Dark energy is represented by the cosmological constant, which is supposed invariable during the whole evolution of the universe. The matter changes its equation of state with time, so that the era of radiation domination in the early universe smoothly passes into the era of a pressureless gas, which then passes into the late-time epoch, when the matter is represented by a gas of low-velocity cosmic strings. The inflationary phase is described as an analytic continuation of the energy density in the very early universe into the region of small negative values of the parameter which characterizes typical time of energy transfer from one matter component to another. The Hubble expansion rate, energy density of the matter, energy density parameter, and deceleration parameter as functions of time are found.

Further improvements in the understanding of LQC

Loop Quantum Cosmology provides a successful quantization of isotropic and homogeneous flat universes with a massless, homogeneous scalar field as the matter content. Here, we propose a new ordering for the Hamiltonian constraint operator that facilitates the quantization of this model and makes the physical consequences much more transparent. In particular, our constraint is such that, in the gravitational sector, the zero volume state decouples, allowing us to get rid of the cosmological singularity already at a kinematical level, as well as to introduce a consistent densitization procedure for the constraint. Furthermore, the typical discretization of the spatial volume is achieved in superselection sectors which prove to be most suitable, with support on semilattices and where the basic functions that codify all the relevant information about the geometry have the expected Wheeler-DeWitt limit of standing waves. Thanks to these properties, we can demonstrate that the quantum bounce is generic for any physical state and superselection sector.

Using the Noether symmetry approach to probe the nature of dark energy

We propose to use a model-independent criterion based on first integrals of motion, due to Noether symmetries of the equations of motion, in order to classify the dark energy models in the context of scalar field (quintessence or phantom) Friedmann-Lema\^{\i}tre-Robertson-Walker cosmologies. In general, the Noether symmetries play an important role in physics because they can be used to simplify a given system of differential equations as well as to determine the integrability of the system. The Noether symmetries are computed for nine distinct accelerating cosmological scenarios that contain a homogeneous scalar field associated with different types of potentials. We verify that all the scalar field potentials, presented here, admit the trivial first integral, namely, energy conservation, as they should. We also find that the exponential potential inspired from scalar field cosmology, as well as some types of hyperbolic potentials, include extra Noether symmetries. This feature suggests that these potentials should be preferred along the hierarchy of scalar field potentials. Finally, using the latter potentials, in the framework of either quintessence or phantom scalar field cosmologies that contain also a nonrelativistic matter (dark matter) component, we find that the main cosmological functions, such as the scale factor of the Universe, the scalar field, the Hubble expansion rate, and the metric of the Friedmann-Lema\^{\i}tre-Robertson-Walker space-time, are computed analytically. Interestingly, under specific circumstances the predictions of the exponential and hyperbolic scalar field models are equivalent to those of the $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$ model, as far as the global dynamics and the evolution of the scalar field are concerned. The present analysis suggests that our technique appears to be very competitive to other independent tests used to probe the functional form of a given potential and thus the associated nature of dark energy.