We consider the future dynamics of a transient phantom dominated phase of the universe in LQC and in the RS braneworld, which both have a non-standard Friedmann equation. We find that for a certain class of potentials, the Hubble parameter oscillates with simple harmonic motion in the LQC case and therefore avoids any future singularity. For more general potentials we find that damping effects eventually lead to the Hubble parameter becoming constant. On the other hand in the braneworld case we find that although the type I singularity can be avoided, the scale factor still diverges at late times.
In this article we review recent developments of cyclic cosmology. A typical non-singular cyclic model within General Relativity requires a non-conventional fluid with negative effective energy density, in order to cancel the matter component and lead to a non-singular bounce. However, the existence of such a non-conventional fluid usually leads to quantum instabilities and makes the theory ill-defined. In the present work we follow the alternative way, obtaining two scenarios of non-singular cyclic cosmological evolutions in the context of gravitational theories beyond General Relativity. The…
The big bang and the Schwarzschild singularities are space-like. They are generally regarded as the "final frontiers" at which space-time ends and general relativity breaks down. We review the status of such space-like singularities from three increasingly more general perspectives. They are provided by (i) A reformulation of classical general relativity motivated by the Belinskii, Khalatnikov, Lifshitz conjecture on the behavior of the gravitational field near space-like singularities; (ii) The use of test quantum fields to probe the nature of these singularities; and, (iii) An analysis of th…
Cosmological observations allow the possibility that dark energy is caused by phantom fields. These fields typically lead to the occurrence of singularities in the late Universe. We review here the status of phantom singularities and their possible avoidance in a quantum theory of gravity. We first introduce phantom energy and discuss its behavior in cosmology. We then list the various types of singularities that can occur from its presence. We also discuss the possibility that phantom behavior is mimicked by an alternative theory of gravity. We finally address the quantum cosmology of these m…
We investigate de Sitter solutions in non-local gravity as well as in non-local gravity with Lagrange constraint multiplier. We examine a condition to avoid a ghost and discuss a screening scenario for a cosmological constant in de Sitter solutions. Furthermore, we explicitly demonstrate that three types of the finite-time future singularities can occur in non-local gravity and explore their properties. In addition, we evaluate the effective equation of state for the universe and show that the late-time accelerating universe may be effectively the quintessence, cosmological constant or phantom…
Thermodynamic constraints and future singularities in Unimodular Gravity driven by phantom and non-phantom fluids
Universidad de Santiago de Chile（圣地亚哥智利大学）；Center for Inter-disciplinary Research in Astrophysics and Space Exploration (CIRAS), Universidad de Santiago de Chile（圣地亚哥智利大学天体物理与空间探索跨学科研究中心）；Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso（瓦尔帕莱索天主教大学）；Universidad Veracruzana（韦拉克鲁斯大学）
We consider a procedure of elimination of cosmological singularities similar to that suggested in the recent paper by Simpson and Visser for the construction of regular black holes. It is shown that by imposing a non-singular cosmological evolution with a bounce in a flat Friedmann universe filled with a minimally coupled scalar field, we obtain a transition between the standard scalar field and its phantom counterpart. In this case, the potential of the scalar field has a non-analyticity of the cusp type. This result is also readily reproduced in the case of an anisotropic Bianchi I universe.…
We investigate a family of inhomogeneous and anisotropic gravitational fields exhibiting a future singularity at a finite value of the proper time. The studied spherically symmetric spacetimes are asymptotically Friedmann-Robertson-Walker at spatial infinity and describe wormhole configurations filled with two matter components: one inhomogeneous and anisotropic fluid and another isotropic and homogeneously distributed fluid, characterized by the supernegative equation of state ω=p/ρ< -1. In previously constructed wormholes, the notion of the phantom energy was used in a more extended sense th…
Challenging the Weak Cosmic Censorship with Phantom Fields
Sapienza Università di Roma（罗马第一大学）；INFN, Sezione di Roma（罗马国家核物理研究所）；Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)（马克斯·普朗克引力物理研究所（爱因斯坦研究所））
We demonstrate that finite time singularities of Type IV can be consistently incorporated in the Universe's cosmological evolution, either appearing in the inflationary era, or in the late-time regime. While using only one scalar field instabilities can in principle occur at the time of the phantom-divide crossing, when two fields are involved we are able to avoid such instabilities. Additionally, the two-field scalar-tensor theories prove to be able to offer a plethora of possible viable cosmological scenarios, at which various types of cosmological singularities can be realized. Amongst othe…
We discuss various novel features of $n(\ge 4)$-dimensional spacetimes sourced by a massless (non-)phantom scalar field in general relativity. Assuming that the metric is a warped product of static two-dimensional Lorentzian spacetime and an $(n-2)$-dimensional Einstein space $K^{n-2}$ with curvature $k=0, \pm 1$, and that the scalar field depends only on the radial variable, we present a complete classification of static solutions for both signs of kinetic term. Contrary to the case with a non-phantom scalar field, the Fisher solution is not unique, and there exist two additional metrics corr…
The use of Lagrange multipliers in the context of quintessence/phantom scalar fields allows to constrain the behavior of the scalar field, which provides a powerful tool, not only for the reconstruction of cosmological solutions but also for the study of some problems in cosmology and gravitational physics. In the present paper, we focus on the reconstruction of cosmological solutions capable of controlling the cosmological constant value by imposing a constraint on the scalar field, providing a relaxation mechanism of the value of the cosmological constant. The formalism is also extended to t…
We present a method to generate static solutions in the Einstein-Maxwell system with a (phantom) dilaton field in $n(\ge 4)$-dimensions, based upon the symmetry of the target space for the nonlinear sigma model. Unlike the conventional Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton system, there appears a critical value of the coupling constant for a phantom dilaton field. In the noncritical case, the target space is $\mathbb R\times {\rm SL}(2,\mathbb R)/H$ with the maximal subgroup $H=\{{\rm SO}(2), {\rm SO}(1,1)\}$, whereas in the critical case the target space becomes a symmetric pp-wave and the corresponding K…
We discuss the fate of classical type IV singularities in quantum cosmology. The framework is Wheeler-DeWitt quantization applied to homogeneous and isotropic universes with a perfect fluid described by a generalized Chaplygin gas. Such a fluid can be dynamically realized by a scalar field. We treat the cases of a standard scalar field with positive kinetic energy and of a scalar field with negative energy (phantom field). We first present the classical solutions. We then discuss in detail the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for these models. We are able to give analytic solutions for a special case a…
Different approaches to quantum cosmology are studied in order to deal with the future singularity avoidance problem. Our results show that these future singularities will persist but could take different forms. As an example we have studied the big rip which appear when one considers the state equation $P=ωρ$ with $ω<-1$, showing that it does not disappear in modified gravity. On the other hand, it is well-known that quantum geometric effects (holonomy corrections) in loop quantum cosmology introduce a quadratic modification, namely proportional to $ρ^2$, in Friedmann's equation that replace …
The hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity (HMPG), proposed in 2012 by T. Harko et al., is known to successfully describe both local (solar-system) and cosmological observations. We discuss static, spherically symmetric vacuum solutions of HMPG with the aid of its scalar-tensor representation. This scalar-tensor theory coincides with general relativity with a conformally coupled scalar field (which can be canonical or phantom), therefore the known solutions of this theory are re-interpreted in terms of HMPG. In particular, in the case of zero scalar field potential $V (ϕ)$, such that both Ri…
We present an exact solution in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity describing a spacetime with an anisotropic Kasner-type singularity and Lifshitz asymptotics. This configuration can also be supported by a phantom scalar while still satisfying the Null Energy Condition. For certain parameters of this solution, null geodesics can have an infinitely deep effective potential, thus trapping photons in a finite region along the radial direction. Some examples of periodic null geodesics are obtained. A particularly interesting special case of this solution is a regular, soliton-type metric that retain…
We study the dynamics near finite-time singularities of flat isotropic universes filled with two interacting but otherwise arbitrary perfect fluids. The overall dynamical picture reveals a variety of asymptotic solutions valid locally around the spacetime singularity. We find the attractor of all solutions with standard decay, and for `phantom' matter asymptotically at early times. We give a number of special asymptotic solutions describing universes collapsing to zero size and others ending at a big rip singularity. We also find a very complicated singularity corresponding with a logarithmic …
The quest of deciphering the true nature of dark energy has proven to be one of the most exciting in recent times in cosmology. Various ideas have been put forward in this regard besides the usual cosmological constant approach, ranging from scalar field based models like Quintessence and Phantom dark energy to various modified gravity approaches as well. A very interesting idea then is to consider scalar field dark energy models in quantum gravitationally corrected cosmologies with the RS-II Braneworld being one of the most well known in this regard. So in this work, we consider RS-II Branewo…
The Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity, which is formulated within the Palatini formalism, is characterized by its ability to cure the big bang singularity in the very beginning of the Universe. We further analyze the EiBI phantom model, and investigate the possible avoidance or alleviation of other dark energy related singularities. We find that except for the big rip singularity and little rip event, most of the cosmological singularities of interest can be partially alleviated in this model. Furthermore, we generalize the EiBI theory by adding a pure trace term to the determinant…
We perform analytical and numerical study of static spherically symmetric solutions in the context of Brans-Dicke-like cosmological model by Elizalde et al. with an exponential potential. In this model the phantom regime arises without the appearance of any ghost degree of freedom due to the specific form of coupling. For the certain parameter ranges the model contains a regular solution which we interpret as a wormhole in an otherwise dS Universe. We put several bounds on the parameter values: $ω<0 ,\,\, α^2/|ω|<10^{-5},22.7\lesssim\!ϕ_0\!\lesssim25\,$. The numerical solution could mimic the …
The present work deals with the dynamical system investigation of interacting dark energy models (quintessence and phantom) in the framework of Loop Quantum Cosmology by taking into account a broad class of self-interacting scalar field potentials. The main reason for studying potentials beyond the exponential type is to obtain additional critical points which can yield more interesting cosmological solutions. The stability of critical points and the asymptotic behavior of the phase space are analyzed using dynamical system tools and numerical techniques. We study two class of interacting dark…
We consider different scenarios of the evolution of the universe, where the singularities or some non-analyticities in the geometry of the spacetime are present, trying to answer the following question: is it possible to conserve some kind of notion of particle corresponding to a chosen quantum field present in the universe when the latter approaches the singularity? We study scalar fields with different types of Lagrangians, writing down the second-order differential equations for the linear perturbations of these fields in the vicinity of a singularity. If both independent solutions are regu…
We explore the equation of state (EoS) for dark energy $w_{\mathrm{DE}}$ in modified gravitational theories to explain the current accelerated expansion of the universe. We explicitly demonstrate that the future crossings of the phantom divide line of $w_{\mathrm{DE}}=-1$ are the generic feature in the existing viable $f(R)$ gravity models. Furthermore, we show that the crossing of the phantom divide can be realized in the combined $f(T)$ theory constructed with the exponential and logarithmic terms. In addition, we investigate the effective EoS for the universe when the finite-time future sin…
In this work we consider a family of cosmological models featuring future singularities. This type of cosmological evolution is typical of dark energy models with an equation of state violating some of the standard energy conditions (e.g. the null energy condition). Such kind of behavior, widely studied in the literature, may arise in cosmologies with phantom fields, theories of modified gravity or models with interacting dark matter/dark energy. We briefly review the physical consequences of these cosmological evolution regarding geodesic completeness and the divergence of tidal forces in ord…
Modified f(R) gravity is one of the most promising candidates for dark energy, and even for the unification of the whole cosmological evolution, including the inflationary phase. Within this class of theories, the so-called viable modified gravities represent realistic theories that are capable of reproducing late-time acceleration, and satisfy strong constraints at local scales, where General Relativity is recovered. The present manuscript deals with the analysis of the cosmological evolution for some of these models, which indicates that the evolution may enter into a phantom phase, but the …
We demonstrate how holonomy corrections in loop quantum cosmology (LQC) prevent the Big Rip singularity by introducing a quadratic modification in terms of the energy density $ρ$ in the Friedmann equation in the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) space-time in a consistent and useful way. In addition, we investigate whether other kind of singularities like Type II,III and IV singularities survive or are avoided in LQC when the universe is filled by a barotropic fluid with the state equation $P=-ρ-f(ρ)$, where $P$ is the pressure and $f(ρ)$ a function of $ρ$. It is shown that the Little…
We present a systematic analysis of the dynamics of flat Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker cosmological models with radiation and dust matter in generalized teleparallel $f(T)$ gravity. We show that the cosmological dynamics of this model is fully described by a function $W(H)$ of the Hubble parameter, which is constructed from the function $f(T)$. After reducing the phase space to two dimensions we derive the conditions on $W(H)$ for the occurrence of de Sitter fixed points, accelerated expansion, crossing the phantom divide, and finite time singularities. Depending on the model parameters …
We use phase space method to study possible consequences of fixed points in flat FLRW models. One of these consequences is that a fluid with a finite sound speed, or a differentiable pressure, reaches a fixed point in an infinite time and has no finite-time singularities of types I, II and III described in hep-th/0501025. It is impossible for such a fluid to cross the phantom divide in a finite time. We show that a divergent $dp/dH$, or a speed of sound is necessary but not sufficient condition for phantom crossing. We use pressure properties, such as asymptotic behavior and fixed points, to q…
Current observational evidence does not yet exclude the possibility that dark energy could be in the form of phantom energy. A universe consisting of a phantom constituent will be driven toward a drastic end known as the `Big Rip' singularity where all the matter in the universe will be destroyed. Motivated by this possibility, other evolutionary scenarios have been explored by Barrow, including the phenomena which he called Sudden Future Singularities (SFS). In such a model it is possible to have a blow up of the pressure occurring at sometime in the future evolution of the universe while the…
From a hydrodynamicist's point of view the inclusion of viscosity concepts in the macroscopic theory of the cosmic fluid would appear most natural, as an ideal fluid is after all an abstraction (excluding special cases such as superconductivity). Making use of modern observational results for the Hubble parameter plus standard Friedmann formalism, we may extrapolate the description of the universe back in time up to the inflationary era, or we may go to the opposite extreme and analyze the probable ultimate fate of the universe. In this review we discuss a variety of topics in cosmology when i…
We show that Guilfoyle's exact solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations for spherical symmetric static electrically charged matter with a Reissner-Nordström exterior possess a bewildering plethora of different types of solutions. For the parameter space of the solutions we use two normalized variables, $q^2/R^2$ and $r_0/R$, where $q$ is the total electric charge, $r_0$ is the radius of the object, and $R$ is a length representing the square root of the inverse energy density of the matter. The two other parameters, the mass $m$ and the Guilfoyle parameter $a$, both dependent on $q$, $r_0$ …
