We construct a simple model of universe with a generalized equation of state $p=(α+kρ^{1/n})ρc^2$ having a linear component $p=αρc^2$ and a polytropic component $p=kρ^{1+1/n}c^2$. For $α=1/3$, $n=1$ and $k=-4/(3ρ_P)$, where $ρ_P=5.16 10^{99} g/m^3$ is the Planck density, this equation of state provides a model of the early universe without singularity describing the transition between the pre-radiation era and the radiation era. The universe starts from $t=-\infty$ but, when $t<0$, its size is less than the Planck length $l_P=1.62 10^{-35} m$. The universe undergoes an inflationary expansion that brings it to a size $a_1=2.61 10^{-6} m$ on a timescale of a few Planck times $t_P=5.39 10^{-44} s$. When $t\gg t_P$, the universe decelerates and enters in the radiation era. For $α=0$, $n=-1$ and $k=-ρ_Λ$, where $ρ_Λ=7.02 10^{-24} g}/m^3$ is the cosmological density, this equation of state describes the transition from a decelerating universe dominated by baryonic and dark matter to an accelerating universe dominated by dark energy (second inflation). The transition takes place at a size $a_2=8.95 10^{25} m$ corresponding to a time of the order of the cosmological time $t_Λ=1.46 10^{18} s$. This polytropic model reveals a nice "symmetry" between the early and late evolution of the universe, the cosmological constant $Λ$ in the late universe playing a role similar to the Planck constant $\hbar$ in the early universe. We interpret the cosmological constant as a fundamental constant of nature describing the "cosmophysics" just like the Planck constant describes the microphysics. The Planck density and the cosmological density represent fundamental upper and lower bounds differing by ${122}$ orders of magnitude. The cosmological constant "problem" may be a false problem.
We study the primordial Universe in a cosmological model where inflation is driven by a fluid with a polytropic equation of state $p = αρ+ kρ^{1 + 1/n}$. We calculate the dynamics of the scalar factor and build a Universe with constant density at the origin. We also find the equivalent scalar field that could create such equation of state and calculate the corresponding slow-roll parameters. We calculate the scalar perturbations, the scalar power spectrum and the spectral index.
Currently, a large amount of data implies that the matter constituents of the cosmological dark sector might be collisional. An attractive feature of such a possibility is that, it can reconcile dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE) in terms of a single component, accommodated in the context of a polytropic-DM fluid. Accordingly, we explore the time evolution and the dynamical characteristics of a spatially-flat cosmological model, in which, in principle, there is no DE at all. Instead, in this model, the DM itself possesses some sort of fluid-like properties, i.e., the fundamental units of th…
Inspired by the role of correlations in the statistical mechanics of nonideal self-interacting fluids, we suggest that unresolved sub-structures (i.e. correlations) have to be taken into account in the Virial theorem of self-gravitating astrophysical systems. We demonstrate that their omission leads to a missing mass problem by using the semi-analytic polytropic solutions of the Lane-Emden equation. This problem suggests to extend the Friedmann equations to the nonideal regime by taking into account correlations in the dynamics of the expansion. The increase of correlations induced by the form…
Self-similar solution is obtained for propagation of a strong shock, in a flat expanding dusty Friedman universe. Approximate analytic solution was obtained earlier, using relation between self-similar variables, equivalent to the exact energy conservation integral, which was obtained by L.I. Sedov for the strong explosion in the static uniform medium. Numerical integration of self-similar equation is made here, giving an exact solution of the problem, which is rather close to the approximate analytic one. The differences between these solutions are most apparent in the vicinity of the shock. …
It is known that the Cardassian universe is successful in describing the accelerated expansion of the universe, but its dynamical equations are hard to get from the action principle. In this paper, we establish the connection between the Cardassian universe and $f(T, \mathcal{T})$ gravity, where $T$ is the torsion scalar and $\mathcal{T}$ is the trace of the matter energy-momentum tensor. For dust matter, we find that the modified Friedmann equations from $f(T, \mathcal{T})$ gravity can correspond to those of Cardassian models, and thus, a possible origin of Cardassian universe is given. We ob…
In this article, we review a series of recent theoretical results regarding a conventional approach to the dark energy (DE) concept. This approach is distinguished among others for its simplicity and its physical relevance. By compromising General Relativity (GR) and Thermodynamics at cosmological scale, we end up with a model without DE. Instead, the Universe we are proposing is filled with a perfect fluid of self-interacting dark matter (DM), the volume elements of which perform hydrodynamic flows. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time in a cosmological framework that the energy…
We develop a cosmological model based on a quadratic equation of state p/c^2=-(α+1){ρ^2}/{ρ_P}+αρ-(α+1)ρ_Λ (where ρ_P is the Planck density and ρ_Λ the cosmological density) "unifying" vacuum energy and dark energy in the spirit of a generalized Chaplygin gas model. For $ρ\rightarrow ρ_P$, it reduces to p=-ρc^2 leading to a phase of early accelerated expansion (early inflation) with a constant density equal to the Planck density ρ_P (vacuum energy). For $ρ_Λ\llρ\ll ρ_P$, we recover the standard linear equation of state p=αρc^2 describing radiation (α=1/3) or pressureless matter (α=0) and leadi…
We analyze observational signatures arising from an epoch in cosmology corresponding to the simple harmonic universe, which consists of positive curvature, a negative cosmological constant, and one or more exotic matter sources with $-1 < w = p/ρ\leq -1/3$, which may then evolve or tunnel into an inflating and hot Big Bang phase. Particular relics specific to this class of models include spatial curvature with $Ω_k < 0$, modifications to the dark energy sector due to the presence of residual exotic matter, and the possibility that the cosmological constant may ultimately be negative. We review…
Precision measurements of the number of effective relativistic neutrino species and the primordial element abundances require accurate theoretical predictions for early Universe observables in the Standard Model and beyond. Given the complexity of accurately modelling the thermal history of the early Universe, in this work, we extend a previous method presented by the author to obtain simple, fast and accurate early Universe thermodynamics. The method is based upon the approximation that all relevant species can be described by thermal equilibrium distribution functions characterized by a temp…
We show that a simple sub-class of Horndeski theory can describe a time crystal Universe. The time crystal Universe can be regarded as a baby Universe nucleated from a flat space, which is mediated by an extension of Giddings-Strominger instanton in a 2-form theory dual to the Horndeski theory. Remarkably, when a cosmological constant is included, de Sitter Universe can be created by tunneling from the time crystal Universe. It gives rise to a past completion of an inflationary Universe.