We construct a scalar field based cosmological model, possessing a cosmological singularity characterized by a finite value of the cosmological radius and an infinite scalar curvature. Using the methods of the qualitative theory of differential equations, we give a complete description of the cosmological evolutions in the model under consideration. There are four classes of evolutions, two of which have finite lifetimes, while the other two undergo an infinite expansion.
We show that, in quadratic lagrangian theories of gravity, isotropic cosmological singularities are stable to the presence of small scalar, vector and tensor inhomogeneities. Unlike in general relativity, a particular exact isotropic solution is shown to be the stable attractor on approach to the initial cosmological singularity. This solution is also known to act as an attractor in Bianchi universes of types I, II and IX, and the results of this paper reinforce the hypothesis that small inhomogeneous and anisotropic perturbations of this attractor form part of the general cosmological solutio…
We review aspects of certain time-dependent deformations of $AdS/CFT$ containing cosmological singularities and their gauge theory duals. Towards understanding these solutions better, we explore similar singular deformations of de Sitter space and argue that these solutions are constrained, possibly corresponding to specific initial conditions.
In this paper we characterize barotropic index singularities of homogeneous isotropic cosmological models. They are shown to appear in cosmologies for which the scale factor is analytical with a Taylor series in which the linear and quadratic terms are absent. Though the barotropic index of the perfect fluid is singular, the singularities are weak, as it happens for other models for which the density and the pressure are regular.
A theory of gravitation is constructed in which all homogeneous and isotropic solutions are nonsingular, and in which all curvature invariants are bounded. All solutions for which curvature invariants approach their limiting values approach de Sitter space. The action for this theory is obtained by a higher derivative modification of Einstein's theory. We expect that our model can easily be generalized to solve the singularity problem also for anisotropic cosmologies.
Inhomogeneous cosmological models have recently become a very interesting alternative to standard cosmology. This is because these models are able to fit cosmological observations without the need for dark energy. However, due to inhomogeneity and pressure-less matter content, these models can suffer from shell crossing singularities. These singularities occur when two shell of dust collide with each other leading to infinite values of the density. In this Letter we show that if inhomogeneous pressure is included then these singularities can be prevented from occurring over the period of struc…
Recently a new type of cosmological singularity has been postulated for infinite barotropic index $w$ in the equation of state $p=w ρ$ of the cosmological fluid, but vanishing pressure and density at the singular event. Apparently the barotropic index $w$ would be the only physical quantity to blow up at the singularity. In this talk we would like to discuss the strength of such singularities and compare them with other types. We show that they are weak singularities.
Higher-dimensional braneworld models which contain both bulk and brane curvature terms in the action admit cosmological singularities of rather unusual form and nature. These `quiescent' singularities, which can occur both during the contracting as well as the expanding phase, are characterised by the fact that while the matter density and Hubble parameter remain finite, all higher derivatives of the scale factor ($\stackrel{..}{a}$, $\stackrel{...}{a}$ etc.) diverge as the cosmological singularity is approached. The singularities are the result of the embedding of the (3+1)-dimensional brane …
We show that simple scalar field models can give rise to curvature singularities in the effective Friedmann dynamics of Loop Quantum Cosmology (LQC). We find singular solutions for spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmologies with a canonical scalar field and a negative exponential potential, or with a phantom scalar field and a positive potential. While LQC avoids big bang or big rip type singularities, we find sudden singularities where the Hubble rate is bounded, but the Ricci curvature scalar diverges. We conclude that the effective equations of LQC are not in themselves sufficien…
Cosmological models may result in future singularities. We show that, in the framework of dynamical varying speed of light theories, it is possible to regularize those singularities.
We investigate the behavior of the entanglement entropy of a confining gauge theory near cosmological singularities using gauge/gravity duality. As expected, the coefficients of the UV divergent terms are given by simple geometric properties of the entangling surface in the time-dependent background. The finite (universal) part of the entanglement entropy either grows without bound or remains bounded depending on the nature of the singularity and entangling region. We also discuss a confinement/deconfinement phase transition as signaled by the entanglement entropy.
Varying physical constant cosmologies were claimed to solve standard cosmological problems such as the horizon, the flatness and the $Λ$-problem. In this paper, we suggest yet another possible application of these theories: solving the singularity problem. By specifying some examples we show that various cosmological singularities may be regularized provided the physical constants evolve in time in an appropriate way.
We discuss combined constraints, coming from the cosmic microwave background shift parameter $\mathcal{R}$, baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) distance parameter $\mathcal{A}$, and from the latest type Ia supernovae data, imposed on cosmological models which allow sudden future singularities of pressure. We show that due to their weakness such sudden singularities may happen in the very near future and that at present they can mimic standard dark energy models.
In this talk we review the appearance of new types of singularities (big rip, sudden singularities...) in FLRW cosmological models that have arisen on considering explanations for accelerated expansion of our universe.
We show that a class of 3+1 dimensional Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmologies can be embedded within a variety of solutions of string theory. In some realizations the apparent singularities associated with the big bang or big crunch are resolved at non-singular horizons of higher-dimensional quasi-black hole solutions (with compactified real time); in others plausibly they are resolved at D-brane bound states having no conventional space-time interpretation.
We apply the de Broglie-Bohm interpretation to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for the quantum FRW cosmological model with a minimal massless scalar field. We find that the quantum FRW cosmological model has quantum potential dominated solutions that avoid the initial and the final cosmological singularities. It is suggested that the quantum potential and the back-reaction of geometry and matter fields may change the property of the cosmological singularities of the Universe.
I discuss recent work (gr-qc/0001047) on non-oscillatory singularities in four dimensional space-times with scalar field or stiff fluid matter, in the context of the BKL proposal.
We consider cosmological solutions of string and M-theory compactified to four dimensions by giving a general prescription to construct four-dimensional modular cosmologies with two commuting Killing vectors from vacuum solutions. By lifting these solutions to higher dimensions we analyze the existence of cosmological singularities and find that, in the case of non-closed Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universes, singularities can be removed from the higher-dimensional model when only one of the extra dimensions is time-varying. By studying the moduli space of compactifications of M-theory resulti…
To gain insight in the quantum nature of cosmological singularities, we study anisotropic Kasner solutions in gauge/gravity duality. The dual description of the bulk evolution towards the singularity involves N = 4 super Yang-Mills on the expanding branch of deformed de Sitter space and is well defined. We compute two-point correlators of Yang-Mills operators of large dimensions using spacelike geodesics anchored on the boundary. The correlators show a strong signature of the singularity around horizon scales and decay at large boundary separation at different rates in different directions. Mo…
Due to the accelerated expansion of the universe, the possibility of formation of singularities has changed from the classical Big Bang and Big Crunch singularities to include a number of new scenarios. In recent papers it has been shown that such singularities may appear in inflationary cosmological models with a fractional power scalar field potential. In this paper we enlarge the analysis of singularities in scalar field cosmological models by the use of generalised power expansions of their Hubble scalar and their scalar field in order to describe all possible models leading to a singulari…
Solutions of the Friedmann-Lemaitre cosmological equations of general relativity have been found with finite-time singularities that are everywhere regular, have regular Hubble expansion rate, and obey the strong-energy conditions but possess pressure and acceleration singularities at finite time that are not associated with geodesic incompleteness. We show how these solutions with sudden singularities can be constructed using fractional series methods and find the limiting form of the equation of state on approach to the singularity.
The purpose of this brief report is to present some results of our on-going project on the asymptotic behaviour of braneworld-type solutions on approach to their possible finite `time' singularities.
Recent progress in understanding the structure of cosmological singularities is reviewed. The well-known picture due to Belinskii, Khalatnikov and Lifschitz (BKL) is summarized briefly and it is discussed what existing analytical and numerical results have to tell us about the validity of this picture. If the BKL description is correct then most cosmological singularities are complicated. However there are some cases where it predicts simple singularities. These cases should be particularly amenable to mathematical investigation and the results in this direction which have been achieved so far…
We review recent work and present new examples about the character of singularities in globally and regularly hyperbolic, isotropic universes. These include recent singular relativistic models, tachyonic and phantom universes as well as inflationary cosmologies.
We prove well-posedness of the initial value problem for the Einstein equations for spatially-homogeneous cosmologies with data at an isotropic cosmological singularity, for which the matter content is either a cosmological constant with collisionless particles of a single mass (possibly zero) or a cosmological constant with a perfect fluid having the radiation equation of state. In both cases, with a positive cosmological constant, these solutions, except possibly for Bianchi-type-IX, will expand forever, and be geodesically-complete into the future.
The physically relevant singularities occurring in FRW cosmologies had traditionally been thought to be limited to the "big bang", and possibly a "big crunch". However, over the last few years, the zoo of cosmological singularities considered in the literature has become considerably more extensive, with "big rips" and "sudden singularities" added to the mix, as well as renewed interest in non-singular cosmological events such as "bounces" and "turnarounds". In this article we present a complete catalogue of such cosmological milestones, both at the kinematical and dynamical level. First, usin…
The analysis of certain singularities in scalar-tensor gravity contained in a recent paper is completed, and situations are pointed out in which these singularities cannot occur.
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 find a simple modification of the longitudinal mode in General Relativity which incorporates the idea of limiting curvature. In this case the singularities in contracting Friedmann and Kasner universes are avoided, and instead, the universe has a regular bounce which takes place during the time inversely proportional to the square root of the limiting curvature. Away from the bounce, corrections to General Relativity are negligible. In addition the non-singluar modification of General Relativity delivers for free a realistic candidate for Dark Matter.
Isotropic cosmological singularities are singularities which can be removed by rescaling the metric. In some cases already studied (gr-qc/9903008, gr-qc/9903009, gr-qc/9903018) existence and uniqueness of cosmological models with data at the singularity has been established. These were cosmologies with, as source, either perfect fluids with linear equations of state or massless, collisionless particles. In this article we consider how to extend these results to a variety of other matter models. These are scalar fields, massive collisionless matter, the Yang-Mills plasma of Choquet-Bruhat, or m…
The singularity structure and the corresponding asymptotic behavior of a 3-brane coupled to a scalar field in a five dimensional bulk is analyzed in full generality, using the method of asymptotic splittings. It is shown that the collapse singularity at a finite distance from the brane can be avoided only at the expense of making the brane world-volume positively or negatively curved.
In this paper, considering the energy conditions we shall show that some of the energy conditions are violated in the vicinity of future singularities with the scale factor suggested by Dabrowski - Marosek.
We consider different aspects of the problem of cosmological singularity such as the BKL oscillatory approach to singularity, the new features of the cosmological dynamics in the neighbourhood of the singularity in multidimensional and superstring cosmological models and their connections with such a modern branch of mathematics as infinite-dimensional Lie algebras. Besides, we consider some new types of cosmological singularities which were widely discussed during last decade after the discovery of the phenomenon of cosmic acceleration.
In this lecture we will show some properties of a singularity-free solution to Einstein's equations and its accordance with some theorems dealing with singularities. We will also discuss the implications of the results.
We construct a large class of vacuum solutions of the Einstein equations without any symmetries and with controlled asymptotics near a timelike singularity. The solutions are obtained by a Fuchs analysis of the equations which evolve the metric in a spacelike direction. We further observe that the changes of signs of some of the terms (walls) in the associated Hamiltonian invalidate the "cosmological billards" heuristic arguments for existence of singularities of mixmaster type in the current context.
We study the future cosmological singularities in the framework of massive gravity and minimal massive bigravity theory. In this regards, we consider the possible classes of finite-time future singularities such as sudden, big rip, big freeze and big brake singularities in the massive universe. In dRGT model with an open expanding universe we obtain the sudden singularity in the future at a finite-time which generally without taking account of any particular realistic equation of state, is not avoidable and except the fluid density, all dynamical physical quantities such as pressure approach t…
We analyse spacetimes with a conformal scalar field source, a cosmological constant and a quartic self-interaction term for the scalar field. We also consider additional matter contents in the form of Maxwell and Yang-Mills fields or radiation fluids. Existence theorems for weakly asymptotically flat spacetimes are given. We give a generalisation of Bekenstein's result [Ann. Phys. 82, 535 (1974)] and use it to derive existence theorems for spacetimes that contain an isotropic singularity. The results are combined to suggest a mathematical setup for Penrose's CCC scenario using a conformal scal…
We study the dynamics near big crunch singularities produced in asymptotic AdS cosmologies using gauge/gravity duality. The dual description consists of a constant mass deformation of ABJM theory on de Sitter space and is well-defined and stable for small deformations. We identify the critical deformation where the theory becomes unstable at weak and at strong coupling. Using spacelike geodesics anchored on the boundary we compute two-point correlators of ABJM operators of large dimensions. Near the critical deformation a second saddle point contribution enters, in which the spacelike geodesic…
We consider the conformal Einstein equations for massless collisionless gas cosmologies which admit an isotropic singularity. It is shown that the Cauchy problem for these equations is well-posed with data consisting of the limiting particle distribution function at the singularity.
There exists a widespread belief that signature type change could be used to avoid spacetime singularities. We show that signature change cannot be utilised to this end unless the Einstein equation is abandoned at the suface of signature type change. We also discuss how to solve the initial value problem and show to which extent smooth and discontinuous signature changing solutions are equivalent.
In this work, we study the issue of the past and future cosmological singularities in the context of the fourth-order conformal Weyl gravity. In particular, we investigate the emergent universe scenario proposed by Ellis {\it et al}, and find the stability conditions of the corresponding Einstein static state using the fixed point approach. We show that depending on the values of the parameters of the conformal Weyl gravity theory, there are possibilities for having initially stable emergent states for an FRW universe with both the positive and negative spatial curvatures. This represents that…
We consider the problem of describing the asymptotic behaviour of \textsc{FRW} universes near their spacetime singularities in general relativity. We find that the Bel-Robinson energy of these universes in conjunction with the Hubble expansion rate and the scale factor proves to be an appropriate measure leading to a complete classification of the possible singularities. We show how our scheme covers all known cases of cosmological asymptotics possible in these universes and also predicts new and distinct types of singularities. We further prove that various asymptotic forms met in flat cosmol…
This paper is a further development of the approach to weak cosmic censorship proposed by the authors in Ref. 5. We state and prove a modified version of that work's main result under significantly relaxed assumptions on the asymptotic structure of space--time. The result, which imposes strong constraints on the occurrence of naked singularities of the strong curvature type, is in particular applicable to physically realistic cosmological models.
We analyse the effective potential of the scalar wave equation near generic space-time singularities of power-law type (Szekeres-Iyer metrics) and show that the effective potential exhibits a universal and scale invariant leading x^{-2} inverse square behaviour in the ``tortoise coordinate'' x provided that the metrics satisfy the strict Dominant Energy Condition (DEC). This result parallels that obtained in hep-th/0403252 for probes consisting of families of massless particles (null geodesic deviation, a.k.a. the Penrose Limit). The detailed properties of the scalar wave operator depend sensi…
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…
In classical general relativity, the generic approach to the initial singularity is very complicated as exemplified by the chaos of the Bianchi IX model which displays the generic local evolution close to a singularity. Quantum gravity effects can potentially change the behavior and lead to a simpler initial state. This is verified here in the context of loop quantum gravity, using methods of loop quantum cosmology: the chaotic behavior stops once quantum effects become important. This is consistent with the discrete structure of space predicted by loop quantum gravity.
I present the factorization(s) of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for vacuum FRW minisuperspace universes of arbitrary Hartle-Hawking factor ordering, including the so-called strictly isospectral supersymmetric method. By the latter means, one can introduce an infinite class of singular FRW minisuperspace wavefunctions characterized by a Darboux parameter that mathematically speaking is a Riccati integration constant, while physically determines the position of these strictly isospectral singularities on the Misner time axis
In 1985 Goode and Wainwright devised the concept of an isotropic singularity. Since that time, numerous authors have explored the interesting consequences, in mathematical cosmology, of assuming the existence of this type of singularity. In this paper, we collate all examples of cosmological models which are known to admit an isotropic singularity, and make a number of observations regarding their general characteristics.
We discuss status of the singularity problem in General Relativity and argue that the requirement that a physical solution must be completely free of singularities may be too strong. As an example, we consider properties of the integrable singularities and show that they represent light horizons separating T-regions of black and white holes. Connecting an astrophysical black hole to a white hole, they lead to a natural mechanism of generating new universes. Under favorable conditions the new universes will also contain black holes which, in their turn, will give rise to another generation of u…
In a quantum theory of cosmology spacetime behaves classically only in limited patches of the configuration space on which the wave function of the universe is defined. Quantum transitions can connect classical evolution in different patches. Working in the saddle point approximation and in minisuperspace we compute quantum transitions connecting inflationary histories across a de Sitter like throat or a singularity. This supplies probabilities for how an inflating universe, when evolved backwards, transitions and branches into an ensemble of histories on the opposite side of a quantum bounce.…
We consider the conformal Einstein equations for massless collisionless gas cosmologies which admit an isotropic singularity. After developing the general theory, we restrict to spatially-homogeneous cosmologies. We show that the Cauchy problem for these equations is well-posed with data consisting of the limiting particle distribution function at the singularity.
We consider different aspects of the problem of cosmological singularity such as the BKL oscillatory approach to the singularity, the new features of the cosmological dynamics in the neighbourhood of the singularity in multidimensional and superstring cosmological models and their connections with such a modern branch of mathematics as infinite-dimensional Lie algebras. The chaoticity of the oscillatory approach to the cosmological singularity is also discussed. The Conclusion contains some thoughts about the past and the future of the Universe in the light of the oscillatory approach to the B…
Alternatives to Einstein's theory of general relativity can be distinguished by measuring the parametrised post Newtonian parameters. Two such parameters $β$ and $γ$, equal to one in Einstein theory, can be obtained from static spherically symmetric solutions. For the graviton-dilaton system, as in Brans-Dicke or low energy string theory, we find that if $γ\ne 1$ for a charge neutral point star, then there exist naked singularities. Thus, if $γ$ is measured to be different from one, then it cannot be explained by these theories, without implying naked singularities. We also couple a cosmologic…
We examine an interacting dark matter--variable vacuum energy model for a spatially flat Friedmann-Roberston-Walker spacetime, focusing on the appearance of cosmological singularities such as \emph{big rip, big brake, big freeze}, and \emph{ big separation} along with abrupt events (\emph{infinite $γ$- singularity} and \emph{new w-singularity}) at late times. We introduce a phenomenological interaction which has a nonlinear dependence on the total energy density of the dark sector and its derivative, solve exactly the source equation for the model and find the energy density as function of the…
We consider FLRW cosmological models with standard Friedmann equations, but leaving free the equation of state. We assume that the dark energy content of the universe is encoded in an equation of state $p=f(ρ)$, which is expressed with most generality in the form of a power expansion. The inclusion of this expansion in Friedmann equations allows us to construct a perturbative solution and to relate the coefficients of the equation of state with the formation of singularities of different types.
We explore the character of finite-time singularities that are possible to arise in FRW universes and in specific braneworld configurations. For FRW universes, we derive a first classification of singularities that is based on the behaviour of the Hubble rate. We further extend and complete this classification with the use of the Bel-Robinson energy. The braneworld models that we study consist of a three-brane embedded in a five-dimensional bulk space that is inhabited by a scalar field or a perfect fluid. Our analysis that is performed with the method of asymptotic splittings shows that these…
