Scalar Matter Fields Research Articles

Geometric phase of cosmological scalar and tensor perturbations in f(R) gravity

By using the conformal equivalence of f(R) gravity in vacuum and the usual Einstein theory with scalar-field matter, we derive the Hamiltonian of the linear cosmological scalar and tensor perturbations in f(R) gravity in the form of time-dependent harmonic oscillator Hamiltonians. We find the invariant operators of the resulting Hamiltonians and use their eigenstates to calculate the adiabatic Berry phase for sub-horizon modes as a Lewis–Riesenfeld phase.

Starobinsky inflation and dark energy and dark matter effects from quasicrystal like spacetime structures

The goal of this work on mathematical cosmology and geometric methods in modified gravity theories, MGTs, is to investigate Starobinsky-like inflation scenarios determined by gravitational and scalar field configurations mimicking quasicrystal, QC, like structures. Such spacetime aperiodic QCs are different from those discovered and studied in solid state physics but described by similar geometric methods. We prove that a inhomogeneous and locally anisotropic gravitational and matter field effective QC mixed continuous and discrete “ether” can be modelled by exact cosmological solutions in MGTs and Einstein gravity. The coefficients of corresponding generic off-diagonal metrics and generalized connections depend (in general) on all spacetime coordinates via generating and integration functions and, certain smooth and discrete parameters. Imposing additional nonholonomic constraints, prescribing symmetries for generating functions and solving the boundary conditions for integration functions and constants, we can model various nontrivial torsion QC structures or extract cosmological Levi-Civita configurations with diagonal metrics reproducing de Sitter (inflationary) like and other type homogeneous inflation and acceleration phases. Finally, we speculate how various dark energy and dark matter effects can be modelled by off-diagonal interactions and deformations of a nontrivial QC like gravitational vacuum structure and analogous scalar matter fields.

Scalar field dark matter with spontaneous symmetry breaking and the 3.5 keV line

We show that the present dark matter abundance can be accounted for by an oscillating scalar field that acquires both mass and a non-zero expectation value from interactions with the Higgs field. The dark matter scalar field can be sufficiently heavy during inflation, due to a non-minimal coupling to gravity, so as to avoid the generation of large isocurvature modes in the CMB anisotropies spectrum. The field begins oscillating after reheating, behaving as radiation until the electroweak phase transition and afterwards as non-relativistic matter. The scalar field becomes unstable, although sufficiently long-lived to account for dark matter, due to mass mixing with the Higgs boson, decaying mainly into photon pairs for masses below the MeV scale. In particular, for a mass of ∼7 keV, which is effectively the only free parameter, the model predicts a dark matter lifetime compatible with the recent galactic and extragalactic observations of a 3.5 keV X-ray line.

On Gauge Invariant Cosmological Perturbations in UV-modified Hořava Gravity: A Brief Introduction

We revisit gauge invariant cosmological perturbations in UV-modified, z = 3 Hořava gravity with one scalar matter field, which has been proposed as a renormalizable gravity theory without the ghost problem in four dimensions. We confirm that there is no extra graviton modes and general relativity is recovered in IR, which achieves the consistency of the model. From the UV-modification terms which break the detailed balance condition in UV, we obtain scale-invariant power spectrums for non-inflationary backgrounds, like the power-law expansions, without knowing the details of early expansion history of Universe. This could provide a new framework for the Big Bang cosmology.

On gauge invariant cosmological perturbations in UV-modified Hořava gravity

We consider gauge invariant cosmological perturbations in UV-modified, z = 3 (non-projectable) Hořava gravity with one scalar matter field, which has been proposed as a renormalizable gravity theory without the ghost problem in four dimensions. In order to exhibit its dynamical degrees of freedom, we consider the Hamiltonian reduction method and find that, by solving all the constraint equations, the degrees of freedom are the same as those of Einstein gravity: one scalar and two tensor (graviton) modes when a scalar matter field presents. However, we confirm that there is no extra graviton modes and general relativity is recovered in IR, which achieves the consistency of the model. From the UV-modification terms which break the detailed balance condition in UV, we obtain scale-invariant power spectrums for non-inflationary backgrounds, like the power-law expansions, without knowing the details of early expansion history of Universe. This could provide a new framework for the Big Bang cosmology. Moreover, we find that tensor and scalar fluctuations travel differently in UV, generally. We present also some clarifying remarks about confusing points in the literatures.

Continuous-spin field propagator and interaction with matter

Action principles for the single and double valued continuous-spin representations of the Poincaré group have been recently proposed in a Segal-like formulation. We address three related issues: first, we explain how to obtain these actions directly from the Fronsdal-like and Fang-Fronsdal-like equations by solving the traceless constraints in Fourier space. Second, we introduce a current, similar to the one of Berends, Burgers and Van Dam, which is bilinear in a pair of scalar matter fields, to which the bosonic continuous-spin field can couple minimally. Third, we investigate the current exchange mediated by a continuous-spin particle obtained from this action principle and investigate whether it propagates the right degrees of freedom, and whether it reproduces the known result for massless higher-spin fields in the helicity limit.

Dynamics of cosmological perturbations in modified Brans-Dicke cosmology with matter-scalar field interaction

In this work we focus on a novel completion of the well-known Brans-Dicke theory that introduces an interaction between the dark energy and dark matter sectors, known as complete Brans-Dicke (CBD) theory. We obtain viable cosmological accelerating solutions that fit Supernovae observations with great precision without any scalar potential $V(\phi)$. We use these solutions to explore the impact of the CBD theory on the large scale structure by studying the dynamics of its linear perturbations. We observe a growing behavior of the lensing potential $\Phi_{+}$ at late-times, while the growth rate is actually suppressed relatively to $\Lambda$CDM, which allows the CBD theory to provide a competitive fit to current RSD measurements of $f\sigma_{8}$. However, we also observe that the theory exhibits a pathological change of sign in the effective gravitational constant concerning the perturbations on sub-horizon scales that could pose a challenge to its validity.

Healthy imperfect dark matter from effective theory of mimetic cosmological perturbations

We study the stability of a recently proposed model of scalar-field matter called mimetic dark matter or imperfect dark matter. It has been known that mimetic matter with higher derivative terms suffers from gradient instabilities in scalar perturbations. To seek for an instability-free extension of imperfect dark matter, we develop an effective theory of cosmological perturbations subject to the constraint on the scalar field's kinetic term. This is done by using the unifying framework of general scalar-tensor theories based on the ADM formalism. We demonstrate that it is indeed possible to construct a model of imperfect dark matter which is free from ghost and gradient instabilities. As a side remark, we also show that mimetic F(ℛ) theory is plagued with the Ostrogradsky instability.

Renormalization group fixed points of foliated gravity-matter systems

We employ the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner formalism to study the renormalization group flow of gravity minimally coupled to an arbitrary number of scalar, vector, and Dirac fields. The decomposition of the gravitational degrees of freedom into a lapse function, shift vector, and spatial metric equips spacetime with a preferred (Euclidean) “time”- direction. In this work, we provide a detailed derivation of the renormalization group flow of Newton’s constant and the cosmological constant on a flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker background. Adding matter fields, it is shown that their contribution to the flow is the same as in the covariant formulation and can be captured by two parameters dgdλ. We classify the resulting fixed point structure as a function of these parameters finding that the existence of non-Gaussian renormalization group fixed points is rather generic. In particular the matter content of the standard model and its most common extensions gives rise to one non-Gaussian fixed point with real critical exponents suitable for Asymptotic Safety. Moreover, we find non-Gaussian fixed points for any number of scalar matter fields, making the scenario attractive for cosmological model building.

Static structure of chameleon dark matter as an explanation of dwarf spheroidal galaxy cores

We propose a novel mechanism which explains cored dark matter density profile in recently observed dark matter rich dwarf spheroidal galaxies. In our scenario, dark matter particle mass decreases gradually as function of distance towards the center of a dwarf galaxy due to its interaction with a chameleon scalar. At closer distance towards galactic center the strength of attractive scalar fifth force becomes much stronger than gravity and is balanced by the Fermi pressure of dark matter cloud, thus an equilibrium static configuration of dark matter halo is obtained. Like the case of soliton star or fermion Q-star, the stability of the dark matter halo is obtained as the scalar achieves a static profile and reaches an asymptotic value away from the galactic center. For simple scalar-dark matter interaction and quadratic scalar self interaction potential, we show that dark matter behaves exactly like cold dark matter (CDM) beyond few $\rm{kpc}$ away from galactic center but at closer distance it becomes lighter and fermi pressure cannot be ignored anymore. Using Thomas-Fermi approximation, we numerically solve the radial static profile of the scalar field, fermion mass and dark matter energy density as a function of distance. We find that for fifth force mediated by an ultra light scalar, it is possible to obtain a flattened dark matter density profile towards galactic center. In our scenario, the fifth force can be neglected at distance $ r \geq 1\, \rm{kpc}$ from galactic center and dark matter can be simply treated as heavy non-relativistic particles beyond this distance, thus reproducing the success of CDM at large scales.

Higgs particles interacting via a scalar dark matter field

We study a system of two Higgs bound state, interacting via a real scalar dark matter (DM) mediating field, without imposing Z2 symmetry on the DM sector of the postulated Lagrangian. The variational method in the Hamiltonian formalism of QFT is used to derive relativistic wave equations for the two-Higgs system, using a truncated Fock space trial state. Approximate solutions of the two-body relativistic coupled integral equations are presented, and conditions for the existence of Higgs bound states are examined in a broad parameter space of DM mass and coupling constants.

The complete Brans–Dicke theories

Given that the simple wave equation of Brans–Dicke theory for the scalar field is preserved, we have investigated, through exhaustively analyzing the Bianchi identities, the consistent theories which violate the exact energy conservation equation. It is found that only three theories exist which are unambiguously determined from consistency, without imposing arbitrary functions by hand. Each of these theories possesses a specific interaction term which controls the energy exchange between the scalar field and ordinary matter. The theories contain new parameters (integration constants from the integration procedure) and when these are switched-off, Brans–Dicke theory emerges. As usually, the vacuum theories can be defined from the complete Brans–Dicke theories when the matter energy–momentum tensor vanishes.

On the action of the complete Brans–Dicke theory

Recently the most general completion of Brans-Dicke theory was appeared with energy exchanged between the scalar field and ordinary matter, given that the equation of motion for the scalar field keeps the simple wave form of Brans-Dicke. This class of theories contain undetermined functions, but there exist only three theories which are unambiguously determined from consistency. Here, for the first such theory, it is found the action of the vacuum theory which arises as the limit of the full matter theory. A symmetry transformation of this vacuum action in the Jordan frame is found which consists of a conformal transformation of the metric together with a redefinition of the scalar field. Since the general family of vacuum theories is parametrized by an arbitrary function of the scalar field, the action of this family is also found. As for the full matter theory it is only found the action of the system when the matter Lagrangian vanishes on-shell, as for example for pressureless dust. Due to the interaction, this matter Lagrangian is non-minimally coupled either in the Jordan or the Einstein frame.

Preheating with fractional powers

We consider preheating in models in which the potential for the inflaton is given by a fractional power, as is the case in axion monodromy inflation. We assume a standard coupling between the inflaton field and a scalar matter field. We find that in spite of the fact that the oscillation of the inflaton about the field value which minimizes the potential is anharmonic, there is nevertheless a parametric resonance instability, and we determine the Floquet exponent which describes this instability as a function of the parameters of the inflaton potential.

Gravitational collapse of massless scalar field in f(R) gravity

We study the spherically symmetric gravitational collapse of massless scalar matter field in asymptotic flat spacetime in $f(R)$ gravity. In the Einstein frame of $f(R)$ gravity, an additional scalar field arises due to the conformal transformation. We find that besides the usual competition between gravitational energy and kinetic energy in the process of gravitational collapse, the new scalar field brought by the conformal transformation adds one more competing force in the dynamical system. The dynamical competition can be controlled by tuning the amplitudes of the initial perturbations of the new scalar field and the matter field. To understand the physical reasons behind these phenomena, we analyze the gravitational potential behavior and calculate the Ricci scalar at center with the change of initial amplitudes of perturbations. We find rich physics on the formation of black holes through gravitational collapse in $f(R)$ gravity.

Entropy theorems in classical mechanics, general relativity, and the gravitational two-body problem

In classical Hamiltonian theories, entropy may be understood either as a statistical property of canonical systems, or as a mechanical property, that is, as a monotonic function of the phase space along trajectories. In classical mechanics, there are theorems which have been proposed for proving the non-existence of entropy in the latter sense. We explicate, clarify and extend the proofs of these theorems to some standard matter (scalar and electromagnetic) field theories in curved spacetime, and then we show why these proofs fail in general relativity; due to properties of the gravitational Hamiltonian and phase space measures, the second law of thermodynamics holds. As a concrete application, we focus on the consequences of these results for the gravitational two-body problem, and in particular, we prove the non-compactness of the phase space of perturbed Schwarzschild-Droste spacetimes. We thus identify the lack of recurring orbits in phase space as a distinct sign of dissipation and hence entropy production.

Various time-scales of relaxation

Via gauge-gravity duality, relaxation of far-from-equilibrium initial states in a strongly coupled gauge theory has been investigated. In the system we consider in this paper there are two ways where the state under study can deviate from its equilibrium: anisotropic pressure and time-dependent expectation value of a scalar operator with \Delta=3. In the gravity theory, this system corresponds to Einstein's general relativity with a non-trivial metric, including the anisotropy function, coupled to a massive scalar matter field. We study the effect of different initial configurations for scalar field and anisotropy function on physical processes such as thermalization, i.e. time evolution of event horizon, equilibration of the expectation value of scalar operator and isotropization. We also discuss time ordering of these time-scales.

Modified Brans–Dicke cosmology with matter-scalar field interaction

We discuss the cosmological implications of an extended Brans–Dicke theory presented recently, in which there is an energy exchange between the scalar field and ordinary matter, determined by the theory. A new mass scale is generated in the theory which modifies the Friedmann equations with field-dependent corrected kinetic terms. In a radiation Universe the general solutions are found and there are branches with complete removal of the initial singularity, while at the same time a transient accelerating period can occur within deceleration. Entropy production is also possible in the early Universe. In the dust era, late-times acceleration has been found numerically in agreement with the correct behavior of the density parameters and the dark energy equation of state, while the gravitational constant has only a slight variation over a large redshift interval in agreement with observational bounds.

Generalized equations of state and regular universes

We found non singular solutions for universes filled with a fluid which obey a Generalized Equation of State of the form P(ρ) = – Aρ + γρλ. An emergent universe is obtained if A =1 and λ = 1/2. If the matter source is reinterpret as that of a scalar matter field with some potential, the corresponding potential is derived. For a closed universe, an exact bounce solution is found for A = 1/3 and the same λ. We also explore how the composition of theses universes ean be interpreted in terms of known fluids. It is of interest to note that accelerated solutions previously found for the late time evolution also represent regular solutions at early times.

Induced vacuum current and magnetic field in the background of a vortex

A topological defect in the form of the Abrikosov–Nielsen–Olesen vortex is considered as a gauge-flux-carrying tube that is impenetrable for quantum matter. Charged scalar matter field is quantized in the vortex background with the perfectly reflecting (Dirichlet) boundary condition imposed at the side surface of the vortex. We show that a current circulating around the vortex and a magnetic field directed along the vortex are induced in the vacuum, if the Compton wavelength of the matter field exceeds considerably the transverse size of the vortex. The vacuum current and magnetic field are periodic in the value of the gauge flux of the vortex, providing a quantum-field-theoretical manifestation of the Aharonov–Bohm effect. The total flux of the induced vacuum magnetic field attains notable finite values even for the Compton wavelength of the matter field exceeding the transverse size of the vortex by just three orders of magnitude.