In this work we analyze the possibility of sudden cosmological singularities, also known as type-II singularities, in the background of a Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) geometry in an extension of General Relativity (GR) known as Aether scalar-tensor theories (AeST). Similarly to several scalar-tensor theories, we observe that sudden singularities may occur in certain AeST models at the level of the second-order time derivative of the scale factor. These singularities can either be induced by AeST's scalar field itself in the absence of a fluid matter component, or by a divergence of the pressure component of the fluid. In the latter case, one observes that the second-order time derivative of the scalar field $Q$ is also divergent at the instant the sudden singularity happens. We show that the sudden singularities can be prevented by an appropriate choice of the action, for which a divergence in the scalar field compensates the divergence in the pressure component of the matter fluid, thus preserving the regularity of the scale factor and all its time derivatives. For the models featuring a sudden singularity in the second-order time derivative of the scale factor, an analysis of the cosmographic parameters, namely the Hubble and the deceleration parameters, indicates that cosmological models featuring sudden singularities are allowed by the current cosmological measurements. Furthermore, an analysis of the jerk parameter favours cosmological models that attain a sudden singularity at a faster rate, up to a time of at most $t_s\sim 1.2 t_0$, where $t_0$ is the current age of the universe, and with negative values for the cosmological snap parameter.
In the present work we analyze all the possible spherically symmetric exterior vacuum solutions allowed by the Einstein-Aether theory with static aether. We show that there are four classes of solutions corresponding to different values of a combination of the free parameters, $c_{14}=c_1+c_4$, which are: $ 0 < c_{14}<2$, $c_{14} < 0$, $c_{14}=2$ and $c_{14}=0$. We present explicit analytical solutions for $c_{14}=3/2, 16/9, 48/25, -16, 2$ and $0$. The first case has some pathological behavior, while the rest have all singularities at $r=0$ and are asymptotically flat spacetimes. For the solut…
How do the global properties of a Lorentzian manifold change when endowed with a vector field? This interesting question is tackled in this paper within the framework of Einstein-Aether (EA) theory which has the most general diffeomorphism-invariant action involving a spacetime metric and a vector field. After classifying all the possible nine vacuum solutions with and without cosmological constant in Friedmann-Lema{\^ı}tre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmology, we show that there exist three singular solutions in the EA theory which are not singular in the General Relativity (GR), all of them for…
We study a static, spherically symmetric and asymptotic flat spacetime, assuming the hypersurface orthogonal Einstein-aether theory with an ultraviolet modification motivated by the Horava-Lifshitz theory, which is composed of the $z=2$ Lifshitz scaling terms such as scalar combinations of a three-Ricci curvature and the acceleration of the aether field. For the case with the quartic term of the acceleration of the aether field, we obtain a two-parameter family of black hole solutions, which possess a regular universal horizon. While, if three-Ricci curvature squared term is joined in ultravio…
In this paper we analyze the effect of recently proposed classes of sudden future singularities on causal geodesics of FLRW spacetimes. Geodesics are shown to be extendible and just the equations for geodesic deviation are singular, although tidal forces are not strong enough to produce a Big Rip. For the sake of completeness, we compare with the typical sudden future singularities of phantom cosmologies.
We demonstrate the existence of sudden, finite-time, singularities, with constant scale factor, expansion rate and density, in expanding Bianchi type IX universes with free anisotropic pressures. A new type of non-simultaneous anisotropic sudden singularity arises because of the divergences of the pressures, which may be of barrel or pancake type. The effect of one or more directions of expansion hitting a sudden singularity is tantamount to dimensional reductions as the non-singular directions continue expanding and can see the sudden singularity in their past.
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.
In this work, we explore cosmological sudden singularities arising in the dynamically equivalent scalar-tensor representation of generalized hybrid metric-Palatini gravity. Using a FLRW background, we show that the structure of the field equations prevents sudden singularities from arising at time derivatives of the scale factor of orders lower than four, but that they are allowed to appear for time derivatives of higher orders. Imposing an ansatz for the scale factor, we provide an explicit solution where these sudden singularities appear in the fourth-order time derivative of the scale facto…
We construct solutions of the Friedmann equations near a sudden singularity using generalized series expansions for the scale factor, the density, and the pressure of the fluid content. In this way, we are able to arrive at a solution with a sudden singularity containing two free constants, as required for a general solution of the cosmological equations.
In this talk we analyze the effect of recently proposed classes of sudden future singularities on causal geodesics of FLRW spacetimes. Geodesics are shown to be extendible and just the equations for geodesic deviation are singular, although tidal forces are not strong enough to produce a Big Rip.
We investigate the field equations in the Einstein-aether theory for static spherically symmetric spacetimes and a perfect fluid source and subsequently with the addition of a scalar field (with an exponential self-interacting potential). We introduce more appropriate dynamical variables that facilitate the study of the equilibrium points of the resulting dynamical system and, in addition, we discuss the dynamics at infinity. We study the qualitative properties of the models with a particular interest in their asymptotic behaviour and whether they admit singularities. We also present a number …
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…
The 19th century Aether died with Special Relativity but was resurrected by General Relativity in the form of dark energy; a tensile material with tension equal to its energy density. Such a material is provided by the D-branes of string-theory; these can support the fields of supersymmetric particle-physics, although their energy density is cancelled by orientifold singularities upon compactification. Dark energy can still arise from supersymmetry-breaking anti-D-branes but it is probably time-dependent. Recent results on time-dependent compactifications to an FLRW universe with late-time acc…
This paper is committed to calculations near a type of future singularity driven by phantom energy. At the singularities considered, the scale factor remains finite but its derivative diverges. The general behavior of barotropic phantom energy producing this singularity is calculated under the assumption that near the singularity such fluid is the dominant contributor. We use the semiclassical formula for renormalized stress tensors of conformally invariant fields in conformally flat spacetimes and analyze the softening/enhancing of the singularity due to quantum vacuum contributions. This dyn…
In this work, we study the possibility of finite-time future cosmological singularities appearing in $f(R,T)$ gravity, where $R$ is the Ricci scalar and $T$ is the trace of the stress-energy tensor. We present the theory in both the geometrical and the dynamically equivalent scalar-tensor representation and obtain the respective equations of motion. In a background Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) universe with an arbitrary curvature and for a generic $C^\infty$ function $f(R,T)$, we prove that the conservation of the stress-energy tensor prevents the appearance of sudden singulariti…
We discuss exotic singularities in the evolution of the universe motivated by the progress of observations in cosmology. Among them there are: Big-Rip (BR), Sudden Future Singularities (SFS), Generalized Sudden Future Singularities (GSFS), Finite Density Singularities (FD), type III, and type IV singularities. We relate some of these singularities with higher-order characteristics of expansion such as jerk and snap. We also discuss the behaviour of pointlike objects and classical strings on the approach to these singularities.
The standard energy conditions of classical general relativity are applied to FLRW cosmologies containing sudden future singularities. Here we show, in a model independent way, that although such cosmologies can satisfy the null, weak and strong energy conditions, they always fail to satisfy the dominant energy condition. They require a divergent spacelike energy flux in all but the comoving frame.
We find that sudden future singularities may also appear in spatially inhomogeneous Stephani models of the universe. They are temporal pressure singularities and may appear independently of the spatial finite density singularities already known to exist in these models. It is shown that the main advantage of the homogeneous sudden future singularities which is the fulfillment of the strong and weak energy conditions may not be the case for inhomogeneous models.
It has been claimed in a recent paper \cite{bbfhd12} that sudden singularities will survive in semiclassical gravity. This issue is here carefully reviewed, pointing out that such conclusion, even if valid under some specific conditions, does not stand in other cases. An explicit example is studied in detail to support our statement, stemming from these other situations, that quantum effects may in fact drastically modify the behavior of sudden singularities.
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.
We introduce a general characterization of sudden cosmological singularities and investigate the classical stability of homogeneous and isotropic cosmological solutions of all curvatures containing these singularities to small scalar, vector, and tensor perturbations using gauge invariant perturbation theory. We establish that sudden singularities at which the scale factor, expansion rate, and density are finite are stable except for a set of special parameter values. We also apply our analysis to the stability of Big Rip singularities and find the conditions for their stability against small …
We show that cosmological sudden singularities that respect the energy conditions can occur at finite times in Brans-Dicke and more general scalar-tensor theories of gravity. We construct these explicitly in the Friedmann universes. Higher-order versions of these singularities are also possible, including those that arise with when scalar fields have a self-interaction potential of power-law form.7 pages, no figures
We study slowly rotating, asymptotically flat black holes in Einstein-aether theory and show that solutions that are free from naked finite area singularities form a two-parameter family. These parameters can be thought of as the mass and angular momentum of the black hole, while there are no independent aether charges. We also show that the aether has non-vanishing vorticity throughout the spacetime, as a result of which there is no hypersurface that resembles the universal horizon found in static, spherically symmetric solutions. Moreover, for experimentally viable choices of the coupling co…
We show that a general solution of the Einstein equations that describes approach to an inhomogeneous and anisotropic sudden spacetime singularity does not experience geodesic incompleteness. This generalises the result established for isotropic and homogeneous universes. Further discussion of the weakness of the singularity is also included.
We show that a singularity can occur at a finite future time in an expanding Friedmann universe even when the density is positive and the density plus the sum of the principal pressures is positive. Explicit examples are constructed and a simple condition is given which can be used to eliminate behaviour of this sort if it is judged to be unphysical.
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…
Although it has been believed that the models with generalised Chaplygin gas do not contain singularities, in a previous work we have studied how a big freeze could take place in some kinds of phantom generalised Chaplygin gas. In the present work, we study some types of generalised Chaplygin gas in order to show how different sorts of singularities could appears in such models, in the future or in the past. We point out that: (i) singularities may not be originated from the phantom nature of the fluid, and (ii) if initially the tension of the brane in a brane-world Chaplygin model is large en…
We show the existence of an infinite family of finite-time singularities in isotropically expanding universes which obey the weak, strong, and dominant energy conditions. We show what new type of energy condition is needed to exclude them ab initio. We also determine the conditions under which finite-time future singularities can arise in a wide class of anisotropic cosmological models. New types of finite-time singularity are possible which are characterised by divergences in the time-rate of change of the anisotropic-pressure tensor. We investigate the conditions for the formation of finite-…
We link observational parameters such as the deceleration parameter, the jerk, the kerk (snap) and higher-order derivatives of the scale factor, called statefinders, to the conditions which allow to develop sudden future singularities of pressure with finite energy density. In this context, and within the framework of Friedmann cosmology, we also propose higher-order energy conditions which relate time derivatives of the energy density and pressure which may be useful in general relativity.
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 investigate the effects of quantum particle production on a classical sudden singularity occurring at fine time in a Friedmann universe. We use an exact solution to describe an initially radiation-dominated universe that evolves into a sudden singularity at finite time. We calculate the density of created particles exactly and find that it is generally much smaller than the classical background density and pressure which produce the sudden singularity. We conclude that, in the example studied, the quantum particle production does not lead to the avoidance or modification to the sudden futur…
We solve the Klein-Gordon equation for a massive, non-minimally coupled scalar field, with a conformal coupling, undergoing cosmological evolution from a radiation-dominated phase to a future sudden singularity. We show that, after regularisation, the energy of the created particles is zero and the back-reaction from quantum effects does not change the evolution of the universe near the future singularity and cannot prevent the finite-time sudden singularity.
We present a general form for the solution of an expanding general-relativistic Friedmann universe that encounters a singularity at finite future time. The singularity occurs in the material pressure and acceleration whilst the scale factor, expansion rate and material density remain finite and the strong energy condition holds. We also show that the same phenomenon occurs, but under different conditions, for Friedmann universes in gravity theories arising from the variation of an action that is an arbitrary analytic function of the scalar curvature.
We discuss the behaviour of strings propagating in spacetimes which allow future singularities of either a sudden future or a Big-Rip type. We show that in general the invariant string size remains finite at sudden future singularities while it grows to infinity at a Big-Rip. This claim is based on the discussion of both the tensile and null strings. In conclusion, strings may survive a sudden future singularity, but not a Big-Rip where they are infinitely stretched.
Sudden singularities occur in FRW spacetimes when the scale factor remains finite and different from zero while some of its derivatives diverge. After proper rescaling, the scale factor close to such a singularity at $t=0$ takes the form $a(t)=1+ c |t|^η$ (where $c$ and $η$ are parameters and $η\geq 0$). We investigate analytically and numerically the geodesics of free and gravitationally bound particles through such sudden singularities. We find that even though free particle geodesics go through sudden singularities for all $η\geq 0$, bound systems get dissociated for a wide range of the par…
We verify the existence of Generalized Sudden Future Singularities (GSFS) in quintessence models with scalar field potential of the form $V(ϕ)\sim \vert ϕ\vert^n$ where $0<n<1$ and in the presence of a perfect fluid, both numerically and analytically, using a proper generalized expansion ansatz for the scale factor and the scalar field close to the singularity. This generalized ansatz includes linear and quadratic terms, which dominate close to the singularity and cannot be ignored when estimating the Hubble parameter and the scalar field energy density; as a result, they are important for ana…
The dark energy model with the equation of state p_d=-rho_d - A rho_d^alpha is studied. The model comprises and provides realization of several types of singularities in different parameter regimes: the divergence of the dark energy density and pressure at finite time and finite value of the scale factor, the singularity of the "big rip" type and the sudden future singularity recently introduced by Barrow. For parameter choices which lead to a nonsingular expansion of the universe, various types of the asymptotic evolution are found. The entire time evolution of the universe is described both …
We study a generally covariant model in which local Lorentz invariance is broken "spontaneously" by a dynamical unit timelike vector field $u^a$---the "aether". Such a model makes it possible to study the gravitational and cosmological consequences of preferred frame effects, such as ``variable speed of light" or high frequency dispersion, while preserving a generally covariant metric theory of gravity. In this paper we restrict attention to an action for an effective theory of the aether which involves only the antisymmetrized derivative $\nabla_{[a}u_{b]}$. Without matter this theory is equi…
Is Cosmic Censorship special to General Relativity, or can it survive a violation of equivalence principle? Recent studies have shown that singularities in Lorentz violating Einstein-Aether (or Horava-Lifhsitz) theories can lie behind a universal horizon in simple black hole spacetimes. Even infinitely fast signals cannot escape these universal horizons. We extend this result, for an incompressible aether, to 3+1d dynamical or spinning spacetimes which possess inner killing horizons, and show that a universal horizon always forms in between the outer and (would-be) inner horizons. This finding…
We discuss the constraints coming from current observations of type Ia supernovae on cosmological models which allow sudden future singularities of pressure (with the scale factor and the energy density regular). We show that such a sudden singularity may happen in the very near future (e.g. within ten million years) and its prediction at the present moment of cosmic evolution cannot be distinguished, with current observational data, from the prediction given by the standard quintessence scenario of future evolution. Fortunately, sudden future singularities are characterized by a momentary pea…
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…
We demonstrate analytically and numerically the existence of geodesically complete singularities in quintessence and scalar tensor quintessence models with scalar field potential of the form $V(ϕ)\sim \vert ϕ\vert^n$ with $0<n<1$. In the case of quintessence, the singularity which occurs at $ϕ=0$, involves divergence of the third time derivative of the scale factor (Generalized Sudden Future Singularity (GSFS)), and of the second derivative of the scalar field. In the case of scalar-tensor quintessence with the same potential and with a linear minimal coupling ($F(ϕ)=1-λϕ$), the singularity is…
We construct a piecewise model that gives a physical viable realization of finite-time future singularity for a spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe within the interacting dark matter--dark energy framework, with the latter one in the form of a variable vacuum energy. The scale factor solutions provided by the model are accommodated in several branches defined in four regions delimited by the scale factor and the effective energy density. A branch starts from a big bang singularity and describes an expanding matter-dominated universe until the sudden future singularity occurs. Th…
We show that some types of sudden singularities admit a natural explanation in terms of regular changes of signature on brane-worlds in AdS$_{5}$. The present accelerated expansion of the Universe and its possible ending at a sudden singularity may therefore simply be an indication that our braneworld is about to change its Lorentzian signature to an Euclidean one, while remaining fully regular. An explicit example of this behaviour satisfying the weak and strong energy conditions is presented.
We consider finite-time, future (sudden or Big Rip type) singularities which may occur even when strong energy condition is not violated but equation of state parameter is time-dependent. Recently, example of such singularity has been presented by Barrow, we found another example of it. Taking into account back reaction of conformal quantum fields near singularity, it is shown explicitly that quantum effects may delay (or make milder) the singularity. It is argued that if the evolution to singularity is realistic, due to quantum effects the universe may end up in deSitter phase before scale fa…
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…
We investigate further (cf. arXiv:1512.01199, JCAP01 (2016) 040) Starobinsky cosmological model $R+γR^2$ in the Palatini formalism with Chaplygin gas and baryonic matter as a source. For this aim we use dynamical system theory. The dynamics is reduced to the 2D sewn dynamical system of a Newtonian type (a piecewise-smooth dynamical system). We classify all evolutional paths in the model as well as trajectories in the phase space. We demonstrate the presence of a degenerate freeze singularity (glued freeze type singularities) for the positive $γ$. In this case it is a generic feature of early e…
Until recently, 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 talk, we present an extensive catalogue of such cosmological milestones, both at the kinematical and dynamical le…
General relativity allows a variety of future singularities to occur in the evolution of the universe. At these future singularities, the universe will end in a singular state after a finite proper time and geometrical invariants of the space time will diverge. One question that naturally arises with respect to these cosmological scenarios is the following: can quantum effects lead to the avoidance of these future singularities? We analyze this problem considering massless and conformally coupled scalar fields in an isotropic and homogeneous background leading to future singularities. It is sh…
The Eddington-inspired-Born-Infeld scenario (EiBI) can prevent the Big Bang singularity for a matter content whose equation of state is constant and positive. In a recent paper we showed that, on the contrary, it is impossible to smooth a big rip in the EiBI setup. In fact the situations are still different for other singularities. In this paper we show that a big freeze singularity in general relativity (GR) can in some cases be smoothed to a sudden or a type IV singularity under the EiBI scenario. Similarly, a sudden or a type IV singularity in GR can be replaced in some regions of the param…
In this paper, we apply Osgood's criterion from the theory of ordinary differential equations to detect finite-time singularities in a spatially flat FLRW universe in the context of a perfect fluid, a perfect fluid with bulk viscosity, and a Chaplygin and anti-Chaplygin gas. In particular, we applied Osgood's criterion to demonstrate singularity behaviour for Type 0/big crunch singularities as well as Type II/sudden singularities. We show that in each case the choice of initial conditions is important as a certain number of initial conditions leads to finite-time, Type 0 singularities, while o…
The Born-Infeld determinantal gravity has been recently proposed as a way to smooth the Big Bang singularity. This theory is formulated on the Weitzenbock space-time and the teleparallel representation is used instead of the standard Riemannian representation. We find that although this theory is shown to be singularity-free for certain region of the parameter space in which the divergence of the Hubble rate at the high energy regime is substituted by a de-Sitter stage or a bounce in a Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universe, cosmological singularities such as Big Rip, Big Bang, Big Freez…
In this thesis, we consider two different problems relevant to general relativity. Over the last few years, opinions on physically relevant singularities occurring in FRW cosmologies have considerably changed. We present an extensive catalogue of such cosmological milestones using generalized power series both at the kinematical and dynamical level. We define the notion of "scale factor singularity" and explore its relation to polynomial and differential curvature singularities. We also extract dynamical information using the Friedmann equations and derive necessary and sufficient conditions f…
We investigate $f(R,T)$ gravity models ($R$ is the curvature scalar and $T$ is the trace of the stress-energy tensor of ordinary matter) that are able to reproduce the four known types of future finite-time singularities. We choose a suitable expression for the Hubble parameter in order to realise the cosmic acceleration and we introduce two parameters, $α$ and $H_s$, which characterise each type of singularity. We address conformal anomaly and we observe that it cannot remove the sudden singularity or the type IV one, but, for some values of $α$, the big rip and the type III singularity may b…
The article is dedicated to one of the most undeservedly overlooked properties of the cosmological models: the behaviour at, near and due to a jump discontinuity. It is most interesting that while the usual considerations of the cosmological dynamics deals heavily in the singularities produced by the discontinuities of the second kind (a.k.a. the essential discontinuities) of one (or more) of the physical parameters, almost no research exists to date that would turn to their natural extension/counterpart: the singularities induced by the discontinuities of the first kind (a.k.a. the jump disco…
In this dissertation we study two well known gravitational scenarios in which singularities may appear; the final state of gravitational collapse and the late time evolution of the universe. In the first scenario, we study a spherically symmetric space-time whose matter content includes a tachyon scalar field and a barotropic fluid. By employing a dynamical system analysis, we find classical solutions corresponding to a naked singularity or a black hole formation. We then investigate, in a semiclassical manner, loop quantum gravity induced effects on the fate of the classical singularities. By…
We prove that a homogeneous and isotropic universe containing a scalar field with a power-law potential, $V(ϕ)=Aϕ^{n}$, with $0<n<1$ and $A>0$ always develops a finite-time singularity at which the Hubble rate and its first derivative are finite, but its second derivative diverges. These are the first examples of cosmological models with realistic matter sources that possess weak singularities of 'sudden' type. We also show that a large class of models with even weaker singularities exist for non-integer $n>1$. More precisely, if $k<n<k+1$ where $k$ is a positive integer then the first diverge…
