General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)

Abstract: Wormholes are interesting space-time structures connecting two asymptotic regions found in a universe or multiverse and are solutions to Einstein's field equations. These objects have many interesting features as far as physics is concerned. Morris and Thorne introduced traversable wormholes, which increases the possibility of space-time travel. In this work, the wave equation of the Morris-Thorne wormhole has been derived by the technique of differential forms. The solution of the wave equation for a particular choice of red-shift function and shape function is obtained. The potential has also been computed in order to analyze electromagnetic fields. The behavior of electromagnetic multipoles is expressed and investigated in their behavior at the wormhole's throat.

Abstract: The Einstein-Aether theory is an alternative theory of gravity in which the spacetime metric is supplemented by a long-range timelike vector field (the ``aether'' field). Here, for the first time, we apply the full formalism of post-Minkowskian theory and of the Direct Integration of the Relaxed Einstein Equations (DIRE), to this theory of gravity, with the goal of deriving equations of motion and gravitational waveforms for orbiting compact bodies to high orders in a post-Newtonian expansion. Because the aether field is constrained to have unit norm, a naive application of post-Minkowskian theory leads to contributions to the effective energy momentum tensor that are {\em linear} in the perturbative fields. We show that a suitable redefinition of fields using an array of ``superpotentials'' can eliminate such linear terms to any desired post-Newtonian order, resulting in flat spacetime wave equations for all fields, with sources consisting of matter terms and terms quadratic and higher in the fields. As an initial application of this new method, and as a foundation for obtaining the equations of motion for compact binaries, we obtain explicit solutions of the relaxed equations sufficient to obtain the metric in the near zone through 2.5 post-Newtonian order, or $O[(v/c)^5]$ beyond the Newtonian approximation.

Abstract: We derive the dynamics of (isotropic) scalar perturbations from the mean-field hydrodynamics of full Lorentzian quantum gravity, as described by a two-sector (timelike and spacelike) Barrett-Crane group field theory (GFT) model. The rich causal structure of this model allows us to consistently implement in the quantum theory the causal properties of a physical Lorentzian reference frame composed of four minimally coupled, massless, and free scalar fields. Using this frame, we are able to effectively construct relational observables that are used to recover macroscopic cosmological quantities. In particular, small isotropic scalar inhomogeneities emerge as a result of (relational) nearest-neighbor two-body entanglement between degrees of freedom of the underlying quantum gravity theory. The dynamical equations we obtain for geometric and matter perturbations show agreement with those of classical general relativity in the long-wavelength, super-horizon limit. In general, deviations become important for sub-horizon modes, which seem to be naturally associated with a trans-Planckian regime in our physical reference frame. We argue that these trans-Planckian corrections are quantum gravitational in nature. However, we explicitly show that for some physically interesting solutions these quantum gravity effects can be quite small, leading to a very good agreement with the classical GR behavior.

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the viability of cosmological models featuring a type II singularity that occurs during the past evolution of the Universe. We construct a scenario in which the singularity arises and then constrain the model parameters using observational data from Type Ia Supernovae, Cosmic Chronometers, and Gamma Ray Bursts. We find that the resulting cosmological models based on scenarios with the past type II singularity cannot be excluded by kinematical tests using current observations.

Abstract: In this work we investigate the anisotropic conformal structure of the gravitational field incorporating dark gravity in a generalized Lagrange geometric framework on the Lorentz tangent bundle and we present two applications; the anisotropic conformal Minkowski spacetime and the anisotropic conformal FLRW cosmology. In the first application, the conformal factor induces an anisotropic conformal de-Sitter-like space with extra curvature which causes extra gravity and allows for Sasaki-type Finsler-like structures which could potentially describe certain gravitational phenomena in a more extended form. The cosmological properties of the model are also studied using a FLRW metric structure for the underlying base manifold in the second application, where we derive generalized Friedmann-like equations for the horizontal subspace of the Lorentz tangent bundle spacetime that reduce under certain conditions to those given by A. Triantafyllopoulos and P. C. Stavrinos (2018) [Class. Quantum Grav. 35 085011] as well as those of general relativity.

Abstract: The possibility that the vacuum energy density (VED), $\rho_{\rm vac}$, could be time dependent in the expanding Universe is intuitively more reasonable than just a rigid cosmological constant for the entire cosmic history. The dynamics of $\rho_{\rm vac}=\rho_{\rm vac}(H)$ as a function of the Hubble rate, $H(t)$, most likely contributes to alleviate cosmological problems and tensions, having also implications on the so-called fundamental `constants' of Nature, which should be slowly drifting with the cosmic expansion owing to the fluctuations of the quantum vacuum. This includes the gravitational `constant' $G$, but also the gauge and Yukawa couplings as well as the particle masses themselves (both of dark matter and baryonic matter). The subtle exchange of energy involved is the basis for the ``micro and macro connection''. Herein, I discuss not only this connection as a possibility but show that it is in fact a generic prediction of QFT in cosmological spacetime which is fully compatible with general covariance. This fact has not been pointed out until recently when an appropriate renormalization framework for the VED has been found which is free from the usual conundrums associated with the cosmological constant problem.

Abstract: The Modified Gravity Model (MOG) has been proposed as a solution to the dark matter problem, but it does not meet the gauge invariant condition. The aim of this work is to propose a gauge-invariant theory, which suggests that symmetry can break at a low temperature in the Universe, leading to the MOG theory. This theory has the potential to alter the dynamics of the early and late Universe and naturally produce cosmological inflation.