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 [1002.4278] Entropic Accelerating Universe
 Authors: Damien A. Easson, Paul H. Frampton, George F. Smoot Abstract: To accommodate the observed accelerated expansion of the universe, one popular idea is to invoke a driving term in the Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre equation of dark energy which must then comprise 70% of the present cosmological energy density. We propose an alternative interpretation which takes into account the temperature intrinsic to the information holographically stored on the screen which is the surface of the universe. Dark energy is thereby obviated and the acceleration is due to an entropic force naturally arising from the information storage on a surface screen. We consider an additional quantitative approach based upon the entropy and surface terms usually neglected in General Relativity and show that this leads to the entropic accelerating universe. [PDF] [PS] [BibTex] [Bookmark]

Author Message
Jean-Luc Lehners

Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Affiliation: Princeton Center for Theoretical Science

 Posted: February 25 2010 An interesting paper by Easson, Frampton and Smoot appeared recently with the title “Entropic Accelerating Universe”(1002.4278). As the title suggests, the paper tries to explain dark energy as being a manifestation of the holographic principle, in the form of an entropic force (borrowing some conceptual ideas from Verlinde’s recent paper 1001.0785). This is a big claim, which, if true, would constitute a stunning advance in our understanding of the universe. Hence the paper deserves a careful examination. Here, I would like to point out that the proposed “entropic” modification of Einstein’s equations immediately leads to inconsistent results when applied to the epochs of radiation and matter domination. The authors propose to modify the acceleration equation by adding, largely on dimensional grounds, the term H2 to the right hand side, i.e. they propose to consider the equation $\frac{\ddot{a}}{a}=-\frac{4\pi G}{3}(\rho + 3P)+H^2$ (they also consider a slightly different modification, which leads to the same inconsistencies). A puzzling feature is that this modification is supposed to arise from boundary terms, so that one would expect a factor of δ(y) with y denoting the position of the holographic screen, but let’s go with the modification as written above for now. The new equation should hold true everywhere and at all times. During both the epochs of radiation and matter domination, the dominant energy densities scale as t − 2, while the Hubble parameter scales as t − 1. Hence the terms on the right hand side of the new acceleration equation scale in exactly the same way, and hence the universe must either always be accelerating or never. Certainly, a transition from deceleration to acceleration is not allowed, but this was precisely the observation that the paper set out to explain! What’s more, by using the (unmodified) Friedmann equation during matter domination 3H2 = 8πGρm one would conclude that $\frac{\ddot{a}}{a}=+\frac{4\pi G}{3}\rho_m,$ i.e. that the universe should have accelerated during matter domination, in blatant contradiction with observations. Dark energy won’t yield its mysteries quite so quickly!
Damien Easson

Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 11
Affiliation: Arizona State University

 Posted: February 25 2010 Actually, the transition from non-accelerating to accelerating occurs at slightly higher redshift than the corresponding LCDM model (with Ωm = .27) and more or less around z = .5 for the model including the $\dot{H}$ term. Perhaps we'll include a plot of this in a future work or revision.
Jean-Luc Lehners

Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Affiliation: Princeton Center for Theoretical Science

 Posted: February 26 2010 Dear Damien, The inclusion of the $\dot{H}$ term does not change my argument: all terms on the right hand side of the acceleration equation still scale as t − 2 during the epoch of matter domination (including the new terms that are supposed to mimic dark energy), so that the universe either always accelerates or never, depending on how you choose the coefficients of your new terms. There is nothing in the model that can revert from deceleration to acceleration, and therefore nothing that gets you out of the matter epoch into a dark energy epoch, as far as I can see. Best, Jean-Luc
Damien Easson

Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 11
Affiliation: Arizona State University

 Posted: February 26 2010 Dear Jean-Luc, To understand this better it is useful to re-write the acceleration equation: $\frac{\ddot a}{ a} = - \frac{4 \pi G}{ 3} (\rho + 3 P) + H^2$ by using the equality $\frac{\ddot a}{a} = H^2 + \dot H$ to turn the equation into a first order equation for \dot H and solving the system that way (along with the equation $\dot a = H a$). The same method obviously applies to the second model involving the \dot H term. After scaling things in the usual way, and setting Ωm = .27 and solving the system you will find the natural transition from a non-accelerating phase to an accelerating phase. In the attached figure, I plot the "deceleration parameter" where you can clearly see the transition (for our model given by Eq 13). I did not bother to include this in our paper since clearly we would not have been able to fit the supernova data as well as we can (see Fig 1 in the paper) without having the transition from non-acceleration to acceleration. The jerk occurs very close to a redshift of z =.5 . In addition, I think your concern stems from using the traditional Friedmann equation. In our model (as with any modified gravity model) the G00 Einstein equation (the generalized Friedmann equation) is non-standard. So $H^2 = \frac{8 \pi G}{3} \rho$ does not apply in our model. The inability of many modified gravity models to successfully make the transition from a non-accelerating phase to an accelerating phase is an interesting one (for example, the case we studied in astro-ph/0506392); however, the entropic model does not suffer from this problem. I hope this clears things up. Best, Damien
Jean-Luc Lehners

Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Affiliation: Princeton Center for Theoretical Science

 Posted: February 27 2010 Dear Damien, I am still not convinced. In my arguments above, I assumed the standard time dependence of the energy density of matter, which, as you point out, might not apply exactly because the Friedmann equation should also be modified. But then, in order to really know what’s going on, I need a full set of equations, including the equation of continuity and the Friedmann equation. Since you propose to modify Gμν, but not Tμν, I assume that you are keeping the equation of continuity $\dot{\rho} + 3H (\rho + P) =0$ since it follows from the conservation of Tμν. In the same vein, the Friedmann equation should read X = ρ where X is a quantity to be determined, but which must depend on the metric only. Taking a time derivative, we get $\dot{X}=\dot\rho=-3H(\rho +P),$ which we want to be consistent with the modified acceleration equation $\dot{H}=-\frac{1}{6}(\rho + 3P).$ For ordinary matter Pm = 0, which, by combining the previous 2 equations, leads to $\dot{X}=18H\dot{H}$ and thus X = 9H2. On the other hand, for radiation we have $P_r=\frac{1}{3}\rho_r,$ which leads to $\dot{H}=-\frac{2}{3}\rho_r$ and thus to X = 6H2, i.e. to a different G00 and a different Friedmann equation. The form of the Friedmann equation should of course not depend on the content of the universe, which confirms to me that your proposed ad hoc modification of Einstein’s equations is inconsistent as it stands, and at this point I rest my case. Best wishes, Jean-Luc
Damien Easson

Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 11
Affiliation: Arizona State University

 Posted: February 27 2010 Dear Jean Luc, I really don't have this much time to discuss topics on blogs and forums. But just quickly... you were incorrect in assuming the model fails to make the transition from non-acceleration to acceleration. Furthermore, in your latest argument you are, in the general case, incorrect in assuming the modified Friedmann equation has to take the form X = ρ where X is a quantity to be determined, but which must depend on the metric only. There are many examples of modified gravity where this is not the case, for example, brane worlds or loop quantum gravity models where the Friedmann equation picks up an extra ρ2 correction. Finally, I want to point out that virtually all models of modified gravity and models which modify Einstein's GR end up being ruled out for various reasons. The point of our paper was much broader than simply to produce the specific model you are concerned with. The model was a simple example that captures some of the principles we discussed in the paper. As I've said, due to having more important things to do, I won't be able to spend more time discussing this on CosmoCoffee. But I'd be happy to discuss more in person at Santa Barbara next month assuming you will be there. Best, Damien
Niayesh Afshordi

Joined: 17 Dec 2004
Posts: 62
Affiliation: Perimeter Institute/ University of Waterloo

 Posted: March 01 2010 I think I understand the source of confusion. What Damien is doing is similar to considering an open universe with negative curvature in GR(hence Ωm =0.27). However, while in GR spatial curvature can never lead to acceleration, after modifying (2nd) Friedmann equation, this can happen. Moreover, the 1st Friedmann equation, which identifies the integration constant of the 2nd Friedmann equation with spatial curvature is absent in this model. However, the model is not complete without the 1st Friedmann equation that fixes spatial curvature, specially since it's so well constrained from cosmological data. Indeed, as Jean-Luc mentioned, the model is not complete without the full modified Einstein eq's. Moreover, it still suffers from the coincidence problem, as Damien has to fine-tune the integration constant Omega_m = 0.27, for the acceleration to start recently.
Damien Easson

Joined: 23 Apr 2006
Posts: 11
Affiliation: Arizona State University

 Posted: March 01 2010 Hi Niayesh, Thanks for the post. The Friedmann equation is coming, and as has been mentioned, that should allow us to put firm constraints on the model. We have to think a little more about the coincidence problem... Best, Damien
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