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Agullo, I., Navarro-Salas, J., Olmo, G. J., & Parker, L. (2010). Revising the observable consequences of slow-roll inflation. Phys. Rev. D, 81(4), 043514–14pp.
Abstract: We study the generation of primordial perturbations in a (single-field) slow-roll inflationary Universe. In momentum space, these (Gaussian) perturbations are characterized by a zero mean and a nonzero variance Delta(2) (k, t). However, in position space the variance diverges in the ultraviolet. The requirement of a finite variance in position space forces one to regularize Delta(2) (k, t). This can (and should) be achieved by proper renormalization in an expanding Universe in a unique way. This affects the predicted scalar and tensorial power spectra (evaluated when the modes acquire classical properties) for wavelengths that today are at observable scales. As a consequence, the imprint of slow-roll inflation on the cosmic microwave background anisotropies is significantly altered. We find a nontrivial change in the consistency condition that relates the tensor-to-scalar ratio r to the spectral indices. For instance, an exact scale-invariant tensorial power spectrum, n(t) = 0, is now compatible with a nonzero ratio r approximate to 0.12 +/- 0.06, which is forbidden by the standard prediction (r = -8n(t)). The influence of relic gravitational waves on the cosmic microwave background may soon come within the range of planned measurements, offering a nontrivial test of the new predictions.
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Olmo, G. J., & Sanchis-Alepuz, H. (2011). Hamiltonian formulation of Palatini f(R) theories a la Brans-Dicke theory. Phys. Rev. D, 83(10), 104036–11pp.
Abstract: We study the Hamiltonian formulation of f(R) theories of gravity both in metric and in Palatini formalism using their classical equivalence with Brans-Dicke theories with a nontrivial potential. The Palatini case, which corresponds to the omega = -3/2 Brans-Dicke theory, requires special attention because of new constraints associated with the scalar field, which is nondynamical. We derive, compare, and discuss the constraints and evolution equations for the omega = -3/2 and omega not equal -3/2 cases. Based on the properties of the constraint and evolution equations, we find that, contrary to certain claims in the literature, the Cauchy problem for the omega = -3/2 case is well formulated and there is no reason to believe that it is not well posed in general.
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Agullo, I., Navarro-Salas, J., Olmo, G. J., & Parker, L. (2011). Remarks on the renormalization of primordial cosmological perturbations. Phys. Rev. D, 84(10), 107304–5pp.
Abstract: We briefly review the need to perform renormalization of inflationary perturbations to properly work out the physical power spectra. We also summarize the basis of (momentum-space) renormalization in curved spacetime and address several misconceptions found in recent literature on this subject.
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Olmo, G. J., & Rubiera-Garcia, D. (2011). Palatini f(R) black holes in nonlinear electrodynamics. Phys. Rev. D, 84(12), 124059–14pp.
Abstract: The electrically charged Born-Infeld black holes in the Palatini formalism for f(R) theories are analyzed. Specifically we study those supported by a theory f(R) = R +/- R(2)/R(P), where R(P) is Planck's curvature. These black holes only differ from their General Relativity counterparts very close to the center but may give rise to different geometrical structures in terms of inner horizons. The nature and strength of the central singularities are also significantly affected. In particular, for the model f(R) = R – R(2)/R(P) the singularity is shifted to a finite radius, r(+), and the Kretschmann scalar diverges only as 1/(r-r(+))(2).
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Harko, T., Koivisto, T. S., Lobo, F. S. N., & Olmo, G. J. (2012). Metric-Palatini gravity unifying local constraints and late-time cosmic acceleration. Phys. Rev. D, 85(8), 084016–5pp.
Abstract: We present a novel approach to modified theories of gravity which consists of adding to the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian an f(R) term constructed a la Palatini. Using the respective dynamically equivalent scalar-tensor representation, we show that the theory can pass the Solar System observational constraints even if the scalar field is very light. This implies the existence of a long-range scalar field, which is able to modify the cosmological and galactic dynamics but leaves the Solar System unaffected. We also verify the absence of instabilities in perturbations and provide explicit models which are consistent with local tests and lead to the late-time cosmic acceleration.
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