arXiv: 16 June 2011

The core-cusp problem in cold dark matter halos and supernova feedback: Effects of Mass Loss

Go Ogiya, Masao Mori

arXiv:1106.2864v1

The core-cusp problem remains as one of the unsolved discrepancies between observations and theories predicted by the standard paradigm of cold dark matter (CDM) cosmology. To solve this problem, we perform N-body simulations to study the nonlinear response of CDM halos to the variance of the gravitational potential induced by gas removal from galaxy centers. In this study, we focus on the timescale of the gas ejection, which is strongly correlated with stellar activities, and demonstrate that it is one of the key factors in determining the dynamical response of CDM halos. The results of simulations show that the power-low index of the mass-density profile of the dark matter halo correlated with the timescale of the mass loss, and it is flatter when the mass loss occurs over a short time than when it occurs over a long time. However, it is still larger than typical observational values; in other words, the central cusp remains for any mass loss model in the simulations. Moreover, for the slow mass-loss case, the final density profile of the dark matter halo recovers the universal density profiles predicted by the CDM cosmology. Therefore, mass loss driven by stellar feedback may not be an effective mechanism to flatten the central cusp.

Purely Kinetic Coupled Gravity

Giulia Gubitosi, Eric V. Linder

arXiv:1106.2815v1

Cosmic acceleration can be achieved not only with a sufficiently flat scalar field potential but through kinetic terms coupled to gravity. These derivative couplings impose a shift symmetry on the scalar field, aiding naturalness. We write the most general purely kinetic action not exceeding mass dimension six and obeying second order field equations. The result reduces to a simple form involving a coupling of the Einstein tensor with the kinetic term and can be interpreted as adding a new term to Galileon gravity in curved spacetime. We examine the cosmological implications of the effective dark energy and classify the dynamical attractor solutions, finding a quasistable loitering phase mimicking late time acceleration by a cosmological constant.

Oscillating Bispectra and Galaxy Clustering: A Novel Probe of Inflationary Physics with Large-Scale Structure

Francis-Yan Cyr-Racine, Fabian Schmidt

arXiv:1106.2806v1

Many models of inflation predict oscillatory features in the bispectrum of primordial fluctuations. Since it has been shown that primordial non-Gaussianity can lead to a scale-dependent halo bias, we investigate the effect of oscillations in the three-point function on the clustering of dark matter halos. Interestingly, we find that features in the inflaton potential such as oscillations or sharp steps get imprinted in the mass dependence of the non-Gaussian halo bias. In this paper, we focus on models displaying a sharp feature in the inflaton potential as well as Resonant non-Gaussianity. In both cases, we find a strong scale dependence for the non-Gaussian halo bias with a slope similar to that of the local model. In the resonant case, we find that the non-Gaussian bias oscillates with halo mass, a novel feature that is unique to this type of models. In the case of a sharp feature in the inflaton potential, we find that the clustering of halos is enhanced at the mass scale corresponding to the Fourier mode that exited the horizon when the inflaton was crossing the feature in the potential. Both of these are new effects that open the possibility of characterizing the inflationary potential with large-scale-structure surveys. We briefly discuss the prospects for detecting these non-Gaussian effects.

MOND cosmology from holographic principle

Hongsheng Zhang, Xin-Zhou Li

arXiv:1106.2966v1

We derive the MOND cosmology which is uniquely corresponding to the original MOND in galaxies via holographic approach of gravity. It inherits the key merit of MOND, that is, it reduces the byronic matter and mysterious non-byronic dark matter (dark matter for short) in the standard cosmology into byronic matter only. For the first time we derive the critical parameter in MOND, i.e., the transition acceleration $a_c$ on cosmological scale. We thus solve the long-standing coincidence problem $a_c\sim cH_{0}$. More interestingly, a term like age-graphic dark energy emerges naturally. In the frame of this MOND cosmology, we only need byronic matter to describe both dark matter and dark energy in standard cosmology.

The OGLE View of Microlensing towards the Magellanic Clouds. IV. OGLE-III SMC Data and Final Conclusions on MACHOs

L. Wyrzykowski, J. Skowron, S. Kozlowski, A. Udalski, M. K. Szymanski, M. Kubiak, G. Pietrzynski, I. Soszynski, O. Szewczyk, K. Ulaczyk, R. Poleski, P. Tisserand

arXiv:1106.2925v1

In this fourth part of the series presenting the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) microlensing studies of the dark matter halo compact objects (MACHOs) we describe results of the OGLE-III monitoring of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Three sound candidates for microlensing events were found and yielded the optical depth tau_SMC-OIII=1.30+-1.01 10^{-7}, consistent with the expected contribution from Galactic disk and SMC self-lensing. We report that event OGLE-SMC-03 is the most likely a thick disk lens candidate, the first of such type found towards the SMC. In this paper we also combined all OGLE Large and Small Magellanic Cloud microlensing results in order to refine the conclusions on MACHOs. All but one of OGLE events are most likely caused by the lensing by known populations of stars, therefore we concluded that there is no need for introducing any special dark matter compact objects in order to explain the observed events rates. Potential black hole event indicates that similar lenses can contribute only about 2 per cent to the total mass of the halo, which is still in agreement with the expected number of such objects.

Casting Light on Dark Matter

John Ellis

arXiv:1106.2923v1

The prospects for detecting a candidate supersymmetric dark matter particle at the LHC are reviewed, and compared with the prospects for direct and indirect searches for astrophysical dark matter. The discussion is based on a frequentist analysis of the preferred regions of the Minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model with universal soft supersymmetry breaking (the CMSSM). LHC searches may have good chances to observe supersymmetry in the near future - and so may direct searches for astrophysical dark matter particles, whereas indirect searches may require greater sensitivity, at least within the CMSSM.

arXIv: 15 June 2011

Efficient computation of the non-linear matter power spectrum of LambdaCDM

Benjamin Audren, Julien Lesgourgues

:	arXiv:1106.2607v1

We address the issue of computing the non-linear matter power spectrum on mildly non-linear scales with efficient semi-analytic methods. We implemented M. Pietroni's Time Renormalization Group (TRG) method and its Dynamical 1-Loop (D1L) limit in a numerical module for the new Boltzmann code CLASS. Our publicly released module is valid for LambdaCDM models, and optimized in such a way to run in less than a minute for D1L, or in one hour (divided by number of nodes) for TRG. A careful comparison of the D1L, TRG and Standard 1-Loop approaches reveals that for a precise computation of mildly non-linear corrections at high redshift (z greater or equal to 2), the essential point is not to renormalize perturbations, but just to correctly implement initial conditions in a dynamical 1-loop approach. The very fast D1L algorithm then provides surprisingly good results, as can be checked by comparing with highly accurate simulations by M. Sato & T. Matsubara: for z greater or equal to 2, percent precision is achieved until at least k = 0.35h/Mpc, or until k = 0.18h/Mpc at z=1.

arXiv: 14 June 2011

Modified Gravity and Cosmology

Timothy Clifton, Pedro G. Ferreira, Antonio Padilla, Constantinos Skordis

arXiv:1106.2476v1

In this review we present a thoroughly comprehensive survey of recent work on modified theories of gravity and their cosmological consequences. Amongst other things, we cover General Relativity, Scalar-Tensor, Einstein-Aether, and Bimetric theories, as well as TeVeS, f(R), general higher-order theories, Horava-Lifschitz gravity, Galileons, Ghost Condensates, and models of extra dimensions including Kaluza-Klein, Randall-Sundrum, DGP, and higher co-dimension braneworlds. We also review attempts to construct a Parameterised Post-Friedmannian formalism, that can be used to constrain deviations from General Relativity in cosmology, and that is suitable for comparison with data on the largest scales. These subjects have been intensively studied over the past decade, largely motivated by rapid progress in the field of observational cosmology that now allows, for the first time, precision tests of fundamental physics on the scale of the observable Universe. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference tool for researchers and students in cosmology and gravitational physics, as well as a self-contained, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject as a whole.

Effective Field Theory for Inflation

Matteo Fasiello

arXiv:1106.2189v1

This is a version of the author's Ph.D. thesis. The methods of effective field theory are used to study generic theories of inflation with a single inflaton field and to perform a general analysis of the associated non-Gaussianities. We investigate the amplitudes and shapes of the various three and four-point correlators which are generated by different classes of single-field inflationary models. Besides the well-known results for the so called P(X,\phi) model and the ghost inflationary theories, which we recover, we point out that extrinsic curvature-generated interactions may give rise to large non-Gaussianities with distinctive features in the form of specific shape-functions (e.g. flat, orthogonal etc..) for the correlators.

The Sunyaev-Zeldovich Signal of the maxBCG SDSS Galaxy Clusters in WMAP

Patrick Draper, Scott Dodelson, Jiangang Hao, Eduardo Rozo

arXiv:1106.2185v1

The Planck Collaboration measured the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) decrement of optically selected clusters from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, finding that it falls significantly below expectations based on existing mass calibration of the maxBCG galaxy clusters. Resolving this tension requires either the data to go up, or the theoretical expectations to come down. Here, we use data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) to perform an independent estimate of the SZ decrement of maxBCG clusters. The recovered signal is consistent with that obtained using Planck, though with larger error bars due to WMAP's larger beam size and smaller frequency range. Nevertheless, this detection serves as an independent confirmation of the magnitude of the effect, and demonstrates that the observed discrepancy must be theoretical in origin.

The Effect of Cosmological Background Dynamics on the Spherical Collapse in MOND

M. Malekjani, H. Haghi, D. Mohammad-Zadeh Jassur

arXiv:1106.2274v1

The effect of background dynamics of the universe on formation of large scale structures in the framework of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) is investigated. A spherical collapse model is used for modeling the formation of the structures. This study is done in two extreme cases: ({\it i}) assuming a universe with a low-density baryonic matter without any cold dark matter and dark energy; ({\it ii}) a dark energy dominated universe with baryonic matter, without cold dark matter. We show that for the case ({\it ii}) the structures virialize at lower redshifts with larger radii compared to the low-density background universe. The dark energy slow downs the collapse of the structures. We show that our results are compatible with recent simulations of the structure formation in MOND.

arXiv: 13 June 2011

Evolution of fNL to the adiabatic limit

Joseph Elliston, David J. Mulryne, David Seery, Reza Tavakol

arXiv:1106.2153v1

We study inflationary perturbations in multiple-field models, for which zeta typically evolves until all isocurvature modes decay--the "adiabatic limit". We use numerical methods to explore the sensitivity of the nonlinear parameter fNL to the process by which this limit is achieved, finding an appreciable dependence on model-specific data such as the time at which slow-roll breaks down or the timescale of reheating. In models with a sum-separable potential where the isocurvature modes decay before the end of the slow-roll phase we give an analytic criterion for the asymptotic value of fNL to be large. Other examples can be constructed using a waterfall field to terminate inflation while fNL is transiently large, caused by descent from a ridge or convergence into a valley. We show that these two types of evolution are distinguished by the sign of the bispectrum, and give approximate expressions for the peak fNL.

A hierarchy of voids: More ado about nothing

Aseem Paranjape, Tsz Yan Lam, Ravi K. Sheth

arXiv:1106.2041v1

We extend earlier work on the problem of estimating the void-volume function -- the abundance and evolution of large voids which grow gravitationally in an expanding universe -- in two ways. The first removes an ambiguity about how the void-in-cloud process, which erases small voids, should be incorporated into the excursion set approach. The second accounts for correlations between different scales. We provide numerical and analytical arguments showing how and why both changes modify the predicted abundances substantially. In particular, with our new formulation of the void-in-cloud process, accounting for correlations between steps is crucial.

Shedding Light on the Galaxy Luminosity Function

Russell Johnston

arXiv:1106.2039v1

From as early as the 1930s, astronomers have tried to quantify the statistical nature of the evolution and large-scale structure of galaxies by studying their luminosity distribution as a function of redshift - known as the galaxy luminosity function (LF). Accurately constructing the LF remains a popular and yet tricky pursuit in modern observational cosmology where the presence of observational selection effects due to e.g. detection thresholds in apparent magnitude, colour, surface brightness or some combination thereof can render any given galaxy survey incomplete and thus introduce bias into the LF. 
Over the last seventy years there have been numerous sophisticated statistical approaches devised to tackle these issues; all have advantages -- but not one is perfect. This review takes a broad historical look at the key statistical tools that have been developed over this period, discussing their relative merits and highlighting any significant extensions and modifications. In addition, the more generalised methods that have emerged within the last few years are examined. These methods propose a more rigorous statistical framework within which to determine the LF compared to some of the more traditional methods. I also look at how photometric redshift estimations are being incorporated into the LF methodology as well as considering the construction of bivariate LFs. Finally, I review the ongoing development of completeness estimators which test some of the fundamental assumptions going into LF estimators and can be powerful probes of any residual systematic effects inherent magnitude-redshift data

arXiv: 10 June 2011

What do cluster counts really tell us about the Universe?

Robert E. Smith, Laura Marian

We study the covariance matrix of the cluster mass function in cosmology. We adopt a two-line attack: firstly, we employ the counts-in-cells framework to derive an analytic expression for the covariance of the mass function. Secondly, we use a large ensemble of N-body simulations in the LCDM framework to test this. Our theoretical results show that the covariance can be written as the sum of two terms: a Poisson term, which dominates in the limit of rare clusters; and a sample variance term, which dominates for more abundant clusters. Our expressions are analogous to those of Hu & Kravtsov (2003) for multiple cells and a single mass tracer. Calculating the covariance depends on: the mass function and bias of clusters, and the variance of mass fluctuations within the survey volume. The predictions show that there is a strong bin-to-bin covariance between measurements. In terms of the cross-correlation coefficient, we find r~0.5 for haloes with M<3e14 Msol at z=0. Comparison of these predictions with estimates from simulations shows excellent agreement. We use the Fisher matrix formalism to explore the cosmological information content of the counts. We compare the Poisson likelihood model, with the more realistic likelihood model of Lima & Hu (2004), and all terms entering the Fisher matrices are evaluated using the simulations. We find that the Poisson approximation should only be used for the rarest objects, M>3e14 Msol, otherwise the information content of a survey of size V~13.5 [Gpc/h]^3 would be overestimated, resulting in errors that are ~2 times smaller. As an auxiliary result, we show that the bias of clusters, obtained from the cluster-mass cross-variance, is linear on scales >50 Mpc/h, whereas that obtained from the auto-variance is nonlinear.

Using galaxy-galaxy weak lensing measurements to correct the Finger-of-God

Chiaki Hikage (1), Masahiro Takada (2), David N. Spergel (1,2) ((1) Princeton University, (2) IPMU, U. Tokyo)

arXiv:1106.1640v1

For decades, cosmologists have been using galaxies to trace the large-scale distribution of matter. At present, the largest source of systematic uncertainty in this analysis is the challenge of modeling the complex relationship between galaxy redshift and the distribution of dark matter. If all galaxies sat in the centers of halos, there would be minimal Finger-of-God (FoG) effects and a simple relationship between the galaxy and matter distributions. However, many galaxies, even some of the luminous red galaxies (LRGs), do not lie in the centers of halos. Because the galaxy-galaxy lensing is also sensitive to the off-centered galaxies, we show that we can use the lensing measurements to determine the amplitude of this effect and to determine the expected amplitude of FoG effects. We develop an approach for using the lensing data to model how the FoG suppresses the power spectrum amplitudes and show that the current data implies a 30% suppression at wavenumber k=0.2h/Mpc. Our analysis implies that it is important to complement a spectroscopic survey with an imaging survey with sufficient depth and wide field coverage. Joint imaging and spectroscopic surveys allow a robust, unbiased use of the power spectrum amplitude information: it improves the marginalized error of growth rate fg=dln D/dln a by up to a factor of 2 over a wide range of redshifts z<1.4. We also find that the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w0, and the neutrino mass, fnu, can be unbiasedly constrained by combining the lensing information, with an improvement of 10--25% compared to a spectroscopic survey without lensing calibration.

Stellar Streams as Probes of Dark Halo Mass and Morphology: A Bayesian Reconstruction

Anjali Varghese, Rodrigo A. Ibata, Geraint F. Lewis

arXiv:1106.1765v1

Tidal streams provide a powerful tool by means of which the matter distribution of the dark matter halos of their host galaxies can be studied. However, the analysis is not straightforward because streams do not delineate orbits, and for most streams, especially those in external galaxies, kinematic information is absent. We present a method wherein streams are fit with simple corrections made to possible orbits of the progenitor, using a Bayesian technique known as Parallel Tempering to efficiently explore the parameter space. We show that it is possible to constrain the shape of the host halo potential or its density distribution using only the projection of tidal streams on the sky, if the host halo is considered to be axisymmetric. By adding kinematic data or the circular velocity curve of the host to the fitting data, we are able to recover other parameters of the matter distribution such as its mass and profile. We test our method on several simulated low mass stellar streams and also explore the cases for which additional data are required.

arXiv: 9 June 2011

Effects of voids on the reconstruction of the equation of state of Dark Energy

Arnaud de Lavallaz, Malcolm Fairbairn

arXiv:1106.1611v1

We quantify the effects of the voids known to exist in the Universe upon the reconstruction of the dark energy equation of state $w$. We show that the effect can start to be comparable with some of the other errors taken into account when analysing supernova data, depending strongly upon the low redshift cut-off used in the sample. For the supernova data alone, the error induced in the reconstruction of $w$ is much larger than the percent level. When the baryonic acoustic oscillations and the CMB data are included in the fit, the effect of the voids upon the determination of $w$ is much lessened, but is not much smaller than some of the other errors taken into consideration when performing such fits.

Primordial Magnetism in the CMB: Exact Treatment of Faraday Rotation and WMAP7 Bounds

Levon Pogosian, Amit P.S. Yadav, Yi-Fung Ng, Tanmay Vachaspati

arXiv:1106.1438v1

Faraday rotation induced B-modes can provide a distinctive signature of primordial magnetic fields because of their characteristic frequency dependence and because they are only weakly damped on small scales, allowing them to dominate B-modes from other sources. By numerically solving the full CMB radiative transport equations, we study the B-mode power spectrum induced by stochastic magnetic fields that have significant power on scales smaller than the thickness of the last scattering surface. Constraints on the magnetic field energy density and inertial scale are derived from WMAP 7-year data, and are stronger than the big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) bound for a range of parameters. Observations of the CMB polarization at smaller angular scales are crucial to provide tighter constraints or a detection.

From Asymptotic Safety to Dark Energy

Changrim Ahn, Chanju Kim, Eric V. Linder

arXiv:1106.1435v1

We consider renormalization group flow applied to the cosmological dynamical equations. A consistency condition arising from energy-momentum conservation links the flow parameters to the cosmological evolution, restricting possible behaviors. Three classes of cosmological fixed points for dark energy plus a barotropic fluid are found: a dark energy dominated universe, which can be either accelerating or decelerating depending on the RG flow parameters, a barotropic dominated universe where dark energy fades away, and solutions where the gravitational and potential couplings cease to flow. If the IR fixed point coincides with the asymptotically safe UV fixed point then the dark energy pressure vanishes in the first class, while (only) in the de Sitter limit of the third class the RG cutoff scale becomes the Hubble scale.

Laboratory Tests of the Galileon

Philippe Brax, Clare Burrage, Anne-Christine Davis

arXiv:1106.1573v1

The Galileon model is a ghost free scalar effective field theory containing higher derivative terms that are protected by the Galileon symmetry. The presence of a Vainshtein screening mechanism allows the scalar field to couple to matter without mediating unacceptably large fifth forces in the solar system. We describe how laboratory measurements of the Casimir effect and possible deviations from Newtonian gravity can be used to search for Galileon scalar fields. Current experimental measurements are used to bound a previously unconstrained combination of Galileon parameters.

arXiv: 8 June 2011

Finally, results from Gravity Probe-B

Clifford M. Will

arXiv:1106.1198v1

Nearly fifty years after its inception, the Gravity Probe B satellite mission delivers the first measurements of how a spinning gyroscope precesses in the gravitational warping of spacetime.

Chameleon star

V.Dzhunushaliev, V. Folomeev, D. Singleton

arXiv:1106.1267v1

We consider a gravitating spherically symmetric configuration consisting of a scalar field non-minimally coupled to ordinary matter in the form of a perfect fluid. For this system we find static, regular, asymptotically flat solutions for both relativistic and non-relativistic cases. It is shown that the presence of the non-minimal interaction leads to substantial changes both in the radial matter distribution of the star and in the star's total mass.

The generalized evolution of linear bias: a tool to test gravity

S. Basilakos, M. Plionis, A. Pouri

arXiv:1106.1183v1

We derive an exact analytical solution for the redshift evolution of linear and scale-independent bias, by solving a second order differential equation based on linear perturbation theory. This bias evolution model is applicable to all different types of dark energy and modified gravity models. We propose that the combination of the current bias evolution model with data on the bias of extragalactic mass tracers could provide an efficient way to discriminate between "geometrical" dark energy models and dark energy models that adhere to general relativity.

Planck Early Results XXVI: Detection with Planck and confirmation by XMM-Newton of PLCK G266.6-27.3, an exceptionally X-ray luminous and massive galaxy cluster at z~1

Planck Collaboration: N. Aghanim, M. Arnaud, F. Atrio-Barandela, J. Aumont, C. Baccigalupi, A. Balbi, A. J. Banday, J. G. Bartlett, E. Battaner, K. Benabed,J.-P. Bernard, M. Bersanelli, R. Bhatia, H. Böhringer, A. Bonaldi, J. R. Bond, S. Borgani, J. Borrill, F. R. Bouchet, M. L. Brown, C. Burigana, P. Cabella, P. Carvalho, L.-Y Chiang, C. Chiang, G. Chon, E. Churazov, S. Colafrancesco, S. Colombi, B. P. Crill, F. Cuttaia, A. Da Silva, H. Dahle, L. Danese, O. D'Arcangelo, R. J. Davis, P. de Bernardis, G. de Gasperis, G. de Zotti, J. Delabrouille, J.-M. Delouis, J. Démoclès, F.-X. Désert, C. Dickinson, J. M. Diego,H. Dole, S. Donzelli, O. Doré, M. Douspis, X. Dupac, G. Efstathiou, T. A. En\sslin, H. K. Eriksen, F. Finelli, I. Flores-Cacho, O. Forni, P. Fosalba, et al. (94 additional authors not shown)

arXiv:1106.1376v1

We present first results on PLCK G266.6-27.3, a galaxy cluster candidate detected at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5 in the Planck All Sky survey. An XMM-Newton validation observation has allowed us to confirm that the candidate is a bona fide galaxy cluster. With these X-ray data we measure an accurate redshift, z = 0.94 +/- 0.02, and estimate the cluster mass to be M_500 = (7.8 +/- 0.8)e+14 solar masses. PLCK G266.6-27.3 is an exceptional system: its luminosity of L_X(0.5-2.0 keV)=(1.4 +/- 0.05)e+45 erg/s, equals that of the two most luminous known clusters in the z > 0.5 universe, and it is one of the most massive clusters at z~1. Moreover, unlike the majority of high redshift clusters, PLCK G266.6-27.3 appears to be highly relaxed. This observation confirms Planck's capability to detect high redshift, high mass clusters, and opens the way to the systematic study of population evolution in the exponential tail of the mass function.

arXiv: 7 June 2011

Observational selection effects and the M-sigma relation

Kayhan Gultekin, Scott Tremaine, Abraham Loeb, Douglas O. Richstone

arXiv:1106.1079v1

We examine the possibility that the observed relation between black-hole mass and host-galaxy stellar velocity dispersion (the M-sigma relation) is biased by an observational selection effect, the difficulty of detecting a black hole whose sphere of influence is smaller than the telescope resolution. In particular, we critically investigate recent claims that the M-sigma relation only represents the upper limit to a broad distribution of black-hole masses in galaxies of a given velocity dispersion. We find that this hypothesis can be rejected at a high confidence level, at least for the early-type galaxies with relatively high velocity dispersions (median 268 km/s) that comprise most of our sample. We also describe a general procedure for incorporating observational selection effects in estimates of the properties of the M-sigma relation. Applying this procedure we find results that are consistent with earlier estimates that did not account for selection effects, although with larger error bars. In particular, (i) the width of the M-sigma relation is not significantly increased; (ii) the slope and normalization of the M-sigma relation are not significantly changed; (iii) most or all luminous early-type galaxies contain central black holes at zero redshift. Our results may not apply to late-type or small galaxies, which are not well-represented in our sample.

Dark Matter Cores and Cusps: The Case of Multiple Stellar Populations in Dwarf Spheroidals

N.C. Amorisco (Cambridge), N. W. Evans (Cambridge)

:	arXiv:1106.1062v1

A number of dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies are known to contain a more extended, metal-poor population with a flattish velocity dispersion profile, and a more concentrated, metal-rich population with a velocity dispersion declining with radius. The two populations can be modelled with Michie-King distribution functions (DFs) in the isothermal and in the sharply truncated limits, respectively. We argue that the truncation of the metal-rich population can be traced back to the spatial distribution of the star forming gas. Suppose D is the exponent of the first non-constant term in the Taylor expansion of the total potential at the center (D=1 for NFW halos, D=2 for cored halos). Then, we show that the ratio of the half-light radii of the populations raised tothe D/2 power must be smaller than the ratio of the line-of-sight velocity dispersions. Specialising to the case of the Sculptor dSph, we develop a technique to fit simultaneously both populations with Michie-King DFs. This enables us to determine the mass profile of the Sculptor dSph with unprecedented accuracy in the radial range between 0.2 and 1.2 kpc. We show that cored halo models are preferred over cusped halo models, with a chi-squared test suggesting that cores are roughly five times more likely. Even more worryingly, the best-fit NFW models require concentrations with c<20, which is not in the cosmologically preferred range for dwarf galaxies (c~35). We conclude that the kinematics of multiple populations in dSphs provides a substantial new challenge for theories of galaxy formation, with the weight of available evidence strongly against dark matter cusps at the centre.

Non-linear dark energy clustering

Stefano Anselmi, Guillermo Ballesteros, Massimo Pietroni

arXiv:1106.0834v1

We consider a dark energy fluid with arbitrary sound speed and equation of state and discuss the effect of its clustering on the cold dark matter distribution at the non-linear level. We derive the full non-linear equations for the system in the Newtonian approximation. Then, using the time renormalization group method to resum perturbative corrections at all orders, we compute the total power spectrum and the power spectrum for dark matter only. At the linear level, a sound speed of dark energy different from that of light modifies the power spectrum on observationally interesting scales, such as those relevant for baryonic acoustic oscillations. We show that the non-linear corrections to the matter power spectrum depend on the dark energy speed of sound at the subpercent level, and therefore can be well modelled by their counterparts in cosmological scenarios with smooth dark energy.

Cosmological Perturbation Theory and the Evolution of Small-Scale Inhomogeneities

P.G.Miedema

arXiv:1106.0627v1

It is shown that a first-order cosmological perturbation theory for the open, flat and closed Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universes admits one, and only one, gauge-invariant variable which describes the perturbation to the energy density and which becomes equal to the usual Newtonian energy density in the non-relativistic limit. The same holds true for the perturbation to the particle number density. Using these two new variables, a new manifestly gauge-invariant cosmological perturbation theory based on the Lifshitz-Khalatnikov theory has been developed. Perturbations in the total energy density are gravitationally coupled to perturbations in the particle number density, irrespective of the nature of the particles. There is, in first-order, no back-reaction of perturbations to the global expansion of the universe. Small-scale perturbations in the radiation-dominated era oscillate with an increasing amplitude. Density perturbations do not evolve adiabatically, as is usually assumed, but diabatically, i.e., they exchange heat with their environment. This heat loss of a perturbation may enhance the growth rate of its mass sufficiently to explain stellar formation, a phenomenon not understood, as yet, without the additional assumption of the existence of Cold Dark Matter. This theoretical observation is the main result of this article.

arXiv: 6 June 2011

Reheating Effects in the Matter Power Spectrum and Implications for Substructure

Adrienne L. Erickcek (CITA/Perimeter Institute), Kris Sigurdson (UBC)

arXiv:1106.0536v1 The thermal and expansion history of the Universe before big bang nucleosynthesis is unknown. We investigate the evolution of cosmological perturbations through the transition from an early matter era to radiation domination. We treat reheating as the perturbative decay of an oscillating scalar field into relativistic plasma and cold dark matter. After reheating, we find that subhorizon perturbations in the decay-produced dark matter density are significantly enhanced, while subhorizon radiation perturbations are instead suppressed. If dark matter originates in the radiation bath after reheating, this suppression may be the primary cut-off in the matter power spectrum. Conversely, for dark matter produced non-thermally from scalar decay, enhanced perturbations can drive structure formation during the cosmic dark ages and dramatically increase the abundance of compact substructures. For low reheat temperatures, we find that as much as 50% of all dark matter is in microhalos with M > 0.1 Earth masses at z=100, compared to a fraction of 1e-10 in the standard case. In this scenario ultra-dense substructures may constitute a large fraction of dark matter in galaxies today.

arXiv: 3 June 2011

R^n gravity and the chameleon

Valerio Faraoni (Bishop's University)

arXiv:1106.0328v1

The Solar System bounds on R^n gravity are often ignored in the literature by invoking the chameleon mechanism. We show that in order for the latter to work, the exponent n must be ridicolously close to unity and, therefore, these theories are severely constrained.

Applications of Cosmological Perturbation Theory

Adam J. Christopherson

arXiv:1106.0446v1 Cosmological perturbation theory is crucial for our understanding of the universe. The linear theory has been well understood for some time, however developing and applying the theory beyond linear order is currently at the forefront of research in theoretical cosmology. This thesis studies the applications of perturbation theory to cosmology and, specifically, to the early universe. Starting with some background material introducing the well-tested 'standard model' of cosmology, we move on to develop the formalism for perturbation theory up to second order giving evolution equations for all types of scalar, vector and tensor perturbations, both in gauge dependent and gauge invariant form. We then move on to the main result of the thesis, showing that, at second order in perturbation theory, vorticity is sourced by a coupling term quadratic in energy density and entropy perturbations. This source term implies a qualitative difference to linear order. Thus, while at linear order vorticity decays with the expansion of the universe, the same is not true at higher orders. This will have important implications on future measurements of the polarisation of the Cosmic Microwave Background, and could give rise to the generation of a primordial seed magnetic field. Having derived this qualitative result, we then estimate the scale dependence and magnitude of the vorticity power spectrum, finding, for simple power law inputs a small, blue spectrum. The final part of this thesis concerns higher order perturbation theory, deriving, for the first time, the metric tensor, gauge transformation rules and governing equations for fully general third order perturbations. We close with a discussion of natural extensions to this work and other possible ideas for off-shooting projects in this continually growing field. The nonlinear power spectrum in clustering quintessence cosmologies Guido D'Amico, Emiliano Sefusatti arXiv:1106.0314v1 We study the nonlinear evolution of density perturbations in cosmologies where the late-time accelerated expansion is driven by a quintessence field with vanishing speed of sound. For these models matter and quintessence perturbations are comoving and it is possible to write a single continuity equation for the total density fluctuations given by a weighted sum of the two components. Including the Euler equation for the common velocity field we solve the evolution equations for the nonlinear, total density power spectrum in the Time-Renormalization Group approach. In fact any cosmological observable is directly related by gravity only to the total density perturbations, with the two components being individually unobservable. We show that the clustering of quintessence perturbations induces small corrections with respect to the nonlinear evolution of power spectrum in smooth quintessence models described by the same equation of state. Such small corrections, however, contrast with the large effect of a vanishing speed of sound on the linear growth function at low redshift. For this reason, models with the same normalization of the linear density power spectrum can present significantly different nonlinear corrections depending on the value of the sound speed. Although such differences vanish in the w \rightarrow -1, {\Lambda}CDM limit, we argue that the relation between linear and nonlinear growth of structures should be properly taken into account in constraining models with inhomogeneous dark energy.

arXiv: 2 June 2011

Beyond the Standard cosmological model with CMB

Tarun Souradeep (IUCAA)

arXiv:1106.0106v1 Measurements of CMB anisotropy and, more recently, polarization have played a very important role in cosmology. Besides precise determination of various parameters of the `standard' cosmological model, observations have also established some important basic tenets that underlie models of cosmology and structure formation in the universe -- `acausally' correlated, adiabatic, primordial perturbations in a flat, statistically isotropic universe. These are consistent with the expectation of the paradigm of inflation and the generic prediction of the simplest realization of inflationary scenario in the early universe. Further, gravitational instability is the established mechanism for structure formation from these initial perturbations. Primordial perturbations observed as the CMB anisotropy and polarization is the most compelling evidence for new, possibly fundamental, physics in the early universe. The community is now looking beyond the parameter estimation of the `standard' model, for subtle, characteristic signatures of early universe physics. Tests of Modified Gravity with Dwarf Galaxies Bhuvnesh Jain, Jake Vanderplas arXiv:1106.0065v1 In modified gravity theories that seek to explain cosmic acceleration, dwarf galaxies in low density environments can be subject to enhanced forces. The class of scalar-tensor theories, which includes f(R) gravity, predict such a force enhancement (massive galaxies like the Milky Way can evade it through a screening mechanism that protects the interior of the galaxy from this "fifth" force). We study observable deviations from GR in the disks of late-type dwarf galaxies moving under gravity. The fifth-force acts on the dark matter and HI gas disk, but not on the stellar disk owing to the self-screening of main sequence stars. We find four distinct observable effects in such disk galaxies: 1. A displacement of the stellar disk from the HI disk. 2. Warping of the stellar disk along the direction of the external force. 3. Enhancement of the rotation curve measured from the HI gas compared to that of the stellar disk. 4. Asymmetry in the rotation curve of the stellar disk. We estimate that the spatial effects can be up to 1 kpc and the rotation velocity effects about 10 km/s in infalling dwarf galaxies. Such deviations are measurable: we expect that with a careful analysis of a sample of nearby dwarf galaxies one can improve astrophysical constraints on gravity theories by over three orders of magnitude, and even solar system constraints by one order of magnitude. Thus effective tests of gravity along the lines suggested by Hui et al (2009) and Jain (2011) can be carried out with low-redshift galaxies, though care must be exercised in understanding possible complications from astrophysical effects. How well can we measure and understand foregrounds with 21 cm experiments? Adrian Liu, Max Tegmark arXiv:1106.0007v2 Before it becomes a sensitive probe of the Epoch of Reionization, the Dark Ages, and fundamental physics, 21 cm tomography must successfully contend with the issue of foreground contamination. Broadband foreground sources are expected to be roughly four orders of magnitude larger than any cosmological signals, so precise foreground models will be necessary. Such foreground models often contain a large number of parameters, reflecting the complicated physics that governs foreground sources. In this paper, we show that 21 cm tomography experiments will likely not be able to measure these parameters without large degeneracies, simply because the foreground spectra are so featureless and generic. However, we show that this is also an advantage, because it means that the foregrounds can be characterized to a high degree of accuracy once a small number of parameters (likely three or four, depending on one's instrumental specifications) are measured. As a result, the foreground modeling should be relatively simple and will likely not be an impediment to the foreground subtraction schemes that are necessary for a successful 21 cm tomography experiment. How well can we measure and understand foregrounds with 21 cm Cosmic Bounces and Cyclic Universes Jean-Luc Lehners arXiv:1106.0172v1 Cosmological models involving a bounce from a contracting to an expanding universe can address the standard cosmological puzzles and generate "primordial" density perturbations without the need for inflation. Some such models, in particular the ekpyrotic and cyclic models that we focus on, fit rather naturally into string theory. We discuss a number of topics related to these models: the reasoning that leads to the ekpyrotic phase, the predictions for upcoming observations, the differences between singular and non-singular models of the bounce as well as the predictive and explanatory power offered by these models.