We discuss some main aspects of theories of gravity containing non-local terms in view of cosmological applications. In particular, we consider various extensions of General Relativity based on geometrical invariants as $f(R, \Box^{-1} R)$, $f({\cal G}, \Box^{-1} {\cal G})$ and $f(T, \Box^{-1} T)$ gravity where $R$ is the Ricci curvature scalar, $\cal G$ is the Gauss-Bonnet topological invariant, $T$ the torsion scalar and the operator $\Box^{-1}$ gives rise to non-locality. After selecting their functional form by using Noether Symmetries, we find out exact solutions in a cosmological background. It is possible to reduce the dynamics of selected models and to find analytic solutions for the equations of motion. As a general feature of the approach, it is possible to address the accelerated expansion of the Hubble flow at various epochs, in particular the dark energy issues, by taking into account non-locality corrections to the gravitational Lagrangian. On the other hand, it is possible to search for gravitational non-local effects also at astrophysical scales. In this perspective, we search for symmetries of $f(R, \Box^{-1} R)$ gravity also in a spherically symmetric background and constrain the free parameters, Specifically, by taking into account the S2 star orbiting around the Galactic Centre SgrA$^*$, it is possible to study how non-locality affects stellar orbits around such a massive self-gravitating object.
Among the available quantum gravity proposals, string theory, loop quantum gravity, non-commutative geometry, group field theory, causal sets, asymptotic safety, causal dynamical triangulation, emergent gravity are among the best motivated models. As an introductory summary to this special issue of Comptes Rendus Physique, I explain how those different theories can be tested or constrained by cosmological observations.
The new frontier of cosmology will be led by three-dimensional surveys of the large-scale structure of the Universe. Based on its all-sky surveys and redshift depth, the SKA is destined to revolutionize cosmology, in combination with future optical/ infrared surveys such as Euclid and LSST. Furthermore, we will not have to wait for the full deployment of the SKA in order to see transformational science. In the first phase of deployment (SKA1), all-sky HI intensity mapping surveys and all-sky continuum surveys are forecast to be at the forefront on the major questions of cosmology. We give a br…
We propose a modification of Einstein-Cartan gravity equations. The modified cosmology departs from the standard model of cosmology for small Hubble parameter. A characteristic Hubble scale h0, which is intrinsically related to cosmological constant, marks the boundary between the validity domains of the standard model of cosmology and modified cosmology. For large Hubble parameter, the standard model of cosmology is restored. In the opposite limit of small Hubble parameter, which is the case for present epoch, Lorentz-violating effects would manifest themselves. One of the implications is tha…
A brief overview of loop quantum cosmology of homogeneous isotropic models is presented with emphasis on the origin of and subtleties associated with the resolution of big bang and big crunch singularities. These results bear out the remarkable intuition that John Wheeler had. Discussion is organized at two levels. The the main text provides a bird's eye view of the subject that should be accessible to non-experts. Appendices address conceptual and technical issues that are often raised by experts in loop quantum gravity and string theory.
Despite many nice properties and numerous achievements, general relativity is not a complete theory. One of actual approaches towards more complete theory of gravity is its nonlocal modification. We present here a brief review of nonlocal gravity with its cosmological solutions. In particular, we pay special attention to two nonlocal models and their nonsingular bounce solutions for the cosmic scale factor.
Recently, Kenna-Allison et.al. claimed that bimetric gravity cannot give rise to a viable cosmological expansion history while at the same time being compatible with local gravity tests. In this note we review that claim and combine various results from the literature to provide several simple counter examples. We conclude that the results of Kenna-Allison et.al. cannot hold in general.
It has been shown that anisotropy of homogeneous spacetime described by the general Kasner metric can be damped by quantum fluctuations coming from perturbative quantum gravity in one-loop approximation. Also, a formal argument, not limited to one-loop approximation, is put forward in favor of stability of isotropy in the exactly isotropic case.
We develop a technique for the reconstruction of the potential for a scalar field in cosmological models based on induced gravity. The potentials reproducing cosmological evolutions driven by barotropic perfect fluids, a cosmological constant, a Chaplygin gas and a modified Chaplygin gas are constructed explicitly.
This work deals with $F(T)$ gravity models driven by real scalar fields with usual and phantom dynamics. We illustrate the results with examples of current interest, and we find some analytical solutions for scale factors and scalar fields. The results indicate that torsion-scalar models also admit the accelerated expansion of the universe.
We discuss the cosmology of recently proposed Horava-Lifshitz f(R) gravity. In particular, we derive the modified Hubble equation that reduces to the standard HL gravity case in appropriate limit. We show how the bounce solutions in this theory are modified due to nonlinear effect of f(R) gravity. We also show that in principle, the Universe in this set-up can show cyclic behavior.
We review the Cauchy problem for f(R) theories of gravity, in metric and metric-affine for- mulations, pointing out analogies and differences with respect to General Relativity. The role of conformal transformations, effective scalar fields and sources in the field equations is discussed in view of the well-posedness of the problem. Finally, criteria of viability of the f(R)-models are considered according to the various matter fields acting as sources.
We revisit the concept of turnaround radius in cosmology, in the context of modified gravity. While preliminary analyses were limited to scalar-tensor/$F(R)$ gravity, we extend the definition and the study of this quantity to a much broader class of theories including also quantum $R^2$ gravity. The turnaround radius is computed in terms of the parameters of the theory and it is shown that a deviation not larger than 10\% of this quantity from its value in Einstein's theory could constrain the model parameters and even rule out some current theories.
We show that the combination of cubic invariants defining five-dimensional quasitopological gravity, when written in four dimensions, reduce to the version of four-dimensional Einsteinian gravity recently proposed by Arciniega, Edelstein & Jaime, that produces second order equations of motion in a FLRW ansatz, with a purely geometrical inflationary period. We introduce a quartic version of the four-dimensional Einsteinian theory with similar properties, and study its consequences. In particular we found that there exists a region on the space of parameters which allows for thermodynamically st…
We consider extensions of General Relativity based on the non-local function $f(R, \Box^{-1} R)$, where $R$ is the Ricci curvature scalar and the non-locality is due to the term $\Box^{-1} R$. We focus on cosmological minisuperspaces and select viable models by the Noether Symmetry Approach. Then we find viable exact solutions pointing out the role of non-locality in cosmology.
We consider higher derivative gravity lagrangians in 3 and 4 dimensions, which admit simple c-theorems, including upto six derivative curvature invariants. Following a suggestion by Myers, these lagrangians are restricted such that the fluctuations around (anti) de Sitter spaces have second order linearized equations of motion. We study c-theorems both in the context of AdS/CFT and cosmology. In the context of cosmology, the monotonic function is the entropy defined on the apparent horizon through Wald's formula. Exact black hole solutions which are asymptotically (anti) de Sitter are presente…
We review inflationary cosmology in modified gravity such as $R^2$ gravity with its extensions in order to generalize the Starobinsky inflation model. In particular, we explore inflation realized by three kinds of effects: modification of gravity, the quantum anomaly, and the $R^2$ term in loop quantum cosmology. It is explicitly demonstrated that in these inflationary models, the spectral index of scalar modes of the density perturbations and the tensor-to-scalar ratio can be consistent with the Planck results. Bounce cosmology in $F(R)$ gravity is also explained.
Minisuperpace Quantum Cosmology is an approach by which it is possible to infer initial conditions for dynamical systems which can suitably represent observable and non-observable universes. Here we discuss theories of gravity which, from various points of view, extend Einstein's General Relativity. Specifically, the Hamiltonian formalism for $f(R)$, $f(T)$ and $f(\mathcal{G})$ gravity, with $R$, $T$, and $\mathcal{G}$ being the curvature, torsion and Gauss--Bonnet scalars, respectively, is developed starting from the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner approach. The Minisuperspace Quantum Cosmology is deri…
We present a model of non-relativistic gravitational theory which is power-counting renormalizable in 3+1 dimensional spacetime. When applied to cosmology, the relativity-violation terms lead to a dark radiation component, which can give rise to a bounce if dark radiation possesses negative energy density. Additionally, we investigate a cyclic extension of the non-singular cosmology in which the universe undergoes contractions and expansions periodically. In both scenarios the background theory is well defined at the quantum level.
In String Theory there often appears a rather interesting class of higher derivative theories containing an infinite set of derivatives in the form of an exponential. These theories may provide a way to tame ultraviolet divergences without introducing ghost-like states. In this invited article we provide a brief overview on the progress that has been made over the last decade to construct such infinite derivative theories of gravity which may be able to address the singularity problems in gravity. In the process we will also be able to present some general results that applies to covariant tor…
A bouncing universe is a viable candidate to solve the initial singularity problem. Here we consider bouncing solutions in the context of $f(R,\mathcal{G})$ gravity by using an order reduction technique which allows one to find solutions that are perturbatively close to General Relativity. This procedure also acts as a model selection approach. Indeed, several covariant gravitational actions leading to a bounce are directly selected by demanding that the Friedmann equation derived within such gravity theories coincides with the one emerging from Loop Quantum Cosmology.
We study anisotropic cosmology in Hořava's gravity theory and obtain Kasner type solutions, valid for any number d of spatial dimensions. The corresponding exponents satisfy two relations, one involving the marginal coupling λ. Also, Hořava's (super)renormalisable theory predicts (super)stiff matter whose equation of state is p = w ρwith w \ge 1. We discuss briefly the implications of these results for the nature of cosmological collapse.
We review some works of E M Lifshitz connected with gravity and cosmology and also some later works, connected with his ideas. The main topics of this review are the stochastic cosmology of an anisotropic universe and of an isotropic universe with the scalar field, the quasi-isotropic (gradient) expansion in cosmology and Horava-Lifshitz gravity and cosmology.
A brief summary of the singularity resolution in loop quantum cosmology of homogeneous isotropic models is presented. The article is addressed to relativists who do not specialize in quantum gravity. For further details, and answers to more technical asked questions, the reader is directed to the original papers and to more comprehensive recent reviews. Dedicated to the memory of Basilis Xanthopoulos, a founder of this NEB series of conferences.
We discuss conformal issues of pure and extended teleparallel gravity. In particular, we present formulations of conformal transformation in teleparallel gravity. Furthermore, we propose conformal scalar and gauge field theories in teleparallel gravity and study conformal torsion gravity. We explicitly demonstrate that a power-law acceleration (including the $Λ$CDM universe) as well as the de Sitter expansion of the universe can be realized in extended teleparallel gravity with a conformal scalar field, and that pure teleparallel gravity with a conformal scalar field can lead to the $Λ$CDM mod…
A concise description is presented of the basic features of the formalism of non-canonical spacetime volume-forms and its application in modified gravity theories and cosmology. The well known unimodular gravity theory appears as a very special case. Concerning the hot issues facing cosmology now, we specifically briefly outline the construction of: (a) unified description of dark energy and dark matter as manifestations of a single material entity -- a special scalar field "darkon"; (b) quintessential models of universe evolution with a gravity-"inflaton"-assisted dynamical Higgs mechanism --…
We study how a cosmological bounce with a Type IV singularity at the bouncing point, can be generated by a classical vacuum $F(G)$ gravity. We focus our investigation on the behavior of the vacuum $F(G)$ theory near the Type IV singular bouncing point and also we address the stability of the resulting solution, by treating the equations of motion as a dynamical system. In addition, we investigate how the scalar perturbations of the background metric evolve, emphasizing to cosmological times near the Type IV singular bouncing point. Finally, we also investigate which mimetic vacuum $F(G)$ gravi…
In this work, we shall incorporate a stiff era in the Universe's evolution in the context of $F(R)$ gravity. After deriving the vacuum $F(R)$ gravity, which may realize a stiff evolution, we combine the stiff $F(R)$ gravity with an $R^2$ model, and we construct a qualitative model for the inflationary and stiff era, with the latter commencing after the end of the inflationary era. We assume that the baryogenesis occurs during the stiff era, and we calculate the baryon to entropy ratio, which effectively constraints the functional form of the stiff $F(R)$ gravity. Further constraints on the sti…
We consider the cosmology derived from $f(T,B)$ gravity where $T$ is the torsion scalar and $B=\frac{2}{e}\partial_μ(e T^μ)$ a boundary term. In particular we discuss how it is possible to recover, under the same standard, the teleparallel $f(T)$ gravity, the curvature $f(R)$ gravity and the teleparallel-curvature $f(R,T)$ gravity, which are particular cases of $f(T,B)$. We adopt the Noether Symmetry Approach to study the related dynamical systems and to find out cosmological solutions.
We review the accelerating (mainly, dark energy) cosmologies in modified gravity. Special attention is paid to cosmologies leading to finite-time future singularities in $F(R)$, $F(G)$ and $\mathcal{F}(R,G)$ modified gravities. The removal of the finite-time future singularities via addition of $R^2$-term which simultaneously unifies the early-time inflation with late-time acceleration is also briefly mentioned. Accelerating cosmology including the scenario unifying inflation with dark energy is considered in $F(R)$ gravity with Lagrange multipliers. In addition, we examine domain wall solutio…
In this paper, we scrutinize very closely the cosmology in the proxy theory to massive gravity obtained in Phys. Rev. D84 (2011) 043503. This proxy theory was constructed by covariantizing the decoupling limit Lagrangian of massive gravity and represents a subclass of Horndeski scalar-tensor theory. Thus, this covariantization unifies two important classes of modified gravity theories, namely massive gravity and Horndeski theories. We go beyond the regime which was studied in Phys. Rev. D84 (2011) 043503 and show that the theory does not admit any homogeneous and isotropic self-accelerated sol…
In this article we present the cosmological equivalence between the relativistic Finsler-Randers cosmology, with dark energy and modified gravity constructions, at the background level. Starting from a small deviation from the quadraticity of the Riemannian geometry, through which the local structure of General Relativity is modified and the curvature theory is extended, we extract the modified Friedmann equation. The corresponding extended Finsler-Randers cosmology is very interesting, and it can mimic dark-energy and modified gravity, describing a large class of scale-factor evolutions, from…
Massive gravity in the presence of doubly coupled matter field via en effective composite metric yields an accelerated expansion of the universe. It has been recently shown that the model admits stable de Sitter attractor solutions and could be used as a dark energy model. In this work, we perform a first analysis of the constraints imposed by the SNIa, BAO and CMB data on the massive gravity model with the effective composite metric and show that all the background observations are mutually compatible at the one sigma level with the model.
The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of some recent conceptual developments about possible criteria to guarantee the uniqueness of the quantization in a variety of situations that are found in cosmological systems. These criteria impose some conditions on the representation of a group of physically relevant linear transformations. Generally, this group contains any existing symmetry of the spatial sections. These symmetries may or may not be sufficient for the purpose of uniqueness and may have to be complemented with other remaining symmetries that affect the time directi…
We study perturbations around some cosmological backgrounds in the dRGT theory of massive gravity. We develop a general formalism to calculate the perturbations around any background. We derive the Lagrangian for fluctuations in the small scale limit, and for the open FRW solution we repeat the analysis around the full background. We find that the perturbations display similar properties: the longitudinal modes of the massive graviton are instantaneous at quadratic level, but they acquire a time-kinetic term at cubic order.
We consider the cosmology of a brane-world scenario in the framework of teleparallel and $f(T)$ gravity in a way that matter is localized on the brane. We show that the cosmology of such branes is different from the standard cosmology in teleparallelism. In particular, we obtain a class of new solutions with a constant five-dimensional radius and cosmologically evolving brane in the context of constant torsion $f(T)$ gravity.
This is the introductory Chapter in the monograph Loop Quantum Gravity: The First 30 Years, edited by the authors, that was just published in the series "100 Years of General Relativity. The 8 invited Chapters that follow provide fresh perspectives on the current status of the field from some of the younger and most active leaders who are currently shaping its development. The purpose of this Chapter is to provide a global overview by bridging the material covered in subsequent Chapters. The goal and scope of the monograph is described in the Preface which can be read by following the Front Ma…
We summarize the main results of 19 talks presented at the QG3 session (loop quantum gravity: cosmology and black holes) of the 16th Marcel Grossmann Meeting held online from July $5^{\mathrm{th}}$-10$^{\mathrm{th}}$, 2021.
$f(R)$ modifications of Einstein's gravity is an interesting possibility to explain the late time acceleration of the Universe. In this work we explore the cosmological viability of one such $f(R)$ modification proposed in (Kruglov:2013). We show that the model violates fifth-force constraints. The model is also plagued with the issue of curvature singularity in a spherically collapsing object, where the effective scalar field reaches to the point of diverging scalar curvature.
We summarize the use of Noether symmetries in Minisuperspace Quantum Cosmology. In particular, we consider minisuperspace models, showing that the existence of conserved quantities gives selection rules that allow to recover classical behaviors in cosmic evolution according to the so called Hartle criterion. Such a criterion selects correlated regions in the configuration space of dynamical variables whose meaning is related to the emergence of classical observable universes. Some minisuperspace models are worked out starting from Extended Gravity, in particular coming from scalar tensor, f(R)…
We consider f(Q) extended symmetric teleparallel cosmologies, where Q is the non-metricity scalar, and constrain its functional form through the order reduction method. By using this technique, we are able to reduce and integrate the field equations and thus to select the corresponding models giving rise to bouncing cosmology. The selected Lagrangian is then used to develop the Hamiltonian formalism and to obtain the Wave Function of the Universe which suggests that classical observable universes can be recovered according to the Hartle Criterion.
We provide an $F(R)$ gravity description of a $Λ$CDM bouncing model, without the need for matter fluids or for cosmological constant. As we explicitly demonstrate, the two cosmological eras that constitute the $Λ$CDM bouncing model, can be generated by $F(R)$ gravity which can lead to accelerating cosmologies. The resulting F(R) gravity has Einstein frame inflationary properties that have concordance to the latest Planck observational data. Both the $F(R)$ gravity stability properties are thoroughly investigated and also, the gravitational particle production, a feature necessary for the viabi…
We consider some background tests of standard cosmology in the context of Horava gravity with different scaling dimensions for space and time, which has been proposed as a renormalizable, higher-derivative, Lorentz-violating quantum gravity model without ghost problems. We obtain the "very strong" and "strong" Bayesian evidence for our two cosmology models A and B, respectively, depending on the choice of parametrization based on Horava gravity, against the standard, spatially-flat, LCDM cosmology model based on general relativity. An MCMC analysis with observational data, including BAO, shows…
We review some aspects of quantum gravity in the context of cosmology. In particular, we focus on models with a phenomenology accessible to current and near-future observations, as the early Universe might be our only chance to peep through the quantum gravity realm.
The holographic dark energy model is obtained from a cosmological constant generated by generic quantum gravity effects giving a minimum length. By contrast, the usual bound for the energy density to be limited by the formation of a black hole simply gives the Friedmann equation. The scale of the current cosmological constant relative to the inflationary scale is an arbitrary parameter characterizing initial conditions, which however can be fixed by introducing a physical principle during inflation, as a function of the number of e-folds and the inflationary scale.
We give a critical overview of various attempts to describe gravity as an emergent phenomenon, starting from examples of condensed matter physics, to arrive to more sophisticated pregeometric models. The common line of thought is to view the graviton as a composite particle/collective mode. However, we will describe many different ways in which this idea is realized in practice.
This brief article sums up the possible imprints of loop quantum gravity effects on the cosmological microwave background. We focus on semi-classical terms and show that "Big Bounce" corrections, together with the "pre Big Bounce" state, could modify the observed spectrum.
We review the basics and the current status of the Poincaré gauge theory of gravity. The general dynamical scheme of Poincaré gauge gravity (PG) is formulated, and its physical consequences are outlined. In particular, we discuss exact solutions with and without torsion, highlight the cosmological aspects, and consider the probing of the spacetime geometry.
We argue that more cosmological solutions in massive gravity can be obtained if the metric tensor and the tensor $Σ_{μν}$ defined by Stückelberg fields take the homogeneous and isotropic form. The standard cosmology with matter and radiation dominations in the past can be recovered and $Λ$CDM model is easily obtained. The dynamical evolution of the universe is modified at very early times.
A brief review of various numerical techniques used in loop quantum cosmology and results is presented. These include the way extensive numerical simulations shed insights on the resolution of classical singularities, resulting in the key prediction of the bounce at the Planck scale in different models, and the numerical methods used to analyze the properties of the quantum difference operator and the von Neumann stability issues. Using the quantization of a massless scalar field in an isotropic spacetime as a template, an attempt is made to highlight the complementarity of different methods t…
In this paper, we analyze the modified $f(\mathcal{R})$ gravity models in Friedmann--Lema\^ıtre--Robertson--Walker (FLRW) background. The actions of bouncing cosmology are studied under consideration of different viable models in $f(\mathcal{R})$ gravity theory that can resolve the difficulty of singularity in standard Big-Bang cosmology. Under different viable models in $f(\mathcal{R})$ gravity theory, the cosmological constraints are plotted in provisions of cosmic-time, then investigated the bounce circumstance. In addition, the red-shift parameter is used to reconstruct the modified gravit…
We introduce the Brans-Dick de Rham-Gabadadze-Tolley massive gravity theory which is the new extension of nonlinear massive gravity. We demonstrate a detailed study of the cosmological properties of this theory of gravity, and we show the transformation of the Jordan frame to the Einstein frame. We obtain the cosmological background equations and show the analyses of self-accelerating solutions for explaining the accelerated expansion of the Universe. In the following, we analyze the background perturbations, which consist of tensor, vector, and scalar perturbations within the framework of the…
We study the Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmology in the Weyl-transverse (WTDiff) gravity in a general space-time dimension. The WTDiff gravity is invariant under both the local Weyl (conformal) transformation and the volume preserving diffeormorphisms (transverse diffeomorphisms) and is believed to be equivalent to general relativity at least at the classical level (perhaps, even in the quantum regime). It is explicitly shown by solving the equations of motion that the FLRW metric is a classical solution in the WTDiff gravity only when the spatial metric is flat, that is, the …
This talk describes the evolution of studies of chaos in Yang-Mills fields, gravity, and cosmology. The main subject is a BKL regime near the singularity $t=0$ and its survival in higher dimensions and in string theory. We also describe the recent progress in the search for particle-like solutions of the Einstein-Yang-Mills system (monopoles and dyons), colored black holes and the problem of their stability.
In the Hamiltonian language we provide a study of flat-space cosmology in bigravity and massive gravity constructed mostly with de Rham, Gabadadze, Tolley (dRGT) potential. It is demonstrated that the Hamiltonian methods are powerful not only in proving the absence of the Boulware-Deser ghost, but also in solving other problems. The purpose of this work is to give an introduction both to the Hamiltonian formalism and to the cosmology of bigravity. We sketch three roads to the Hamiltonian of bigravity with the dRGT potential: the metric, the tetrad and the minisuperspace approaches.
In this work, we present an overview of uniqueness results derived in recent years for the quantization of Gowdy cosmological models and for (test) Klein-Gordon fields minimally coupled to Friedmann-Lema\^ıtre-Robertson-Walker, de Sitter, and Bianchi I spacetimes. These results are attained by imposing the criteria of symmetry invariance and of unitary implementability of the dynamics. This powerful combination of criteria allows not only to address the ambiguity in the representation of the canonical commutation relations, but also to single out a preferred set of fundamental variables. For t…
I review some aspects of non-critical strings in connection with Lorentz-Invariance violating approaches to quantum gravity. I also argue how non-critical strings may provide a unifying framework where string Cosmology and quantum gravity may be tackled together.
As massive gravity and its extensions offer physically well-defined gravitational theories with a nonzero graviton mass, we present a new extension of the de Rham-Gabadadze-Tolley (dRGT)massive gravity, which is tachyonic massive gravity theory. We firstly introduce the new extension of the dRGT massive gravity, constructed by adding a tachyonic term. We then find the cosmological background equations, and present the analysis of self-accelerating solutions. We examine the tensor perturbations to calculate the dispersion relation of gravitational waves (GWs). In a special case, we consider a c…
