A simple model of universe with a polytropic equation of state
Abstract
We construct a simple model of universe with a generalized equation of state having a linear component and a polytropic component . For , and , where is the Planck density, this equation of state provides a model of the early universe without singularity describing the transition between the pre-radiation era and the radiation era. The universe starts from but, when , its size is less than the Planck length . The universe undergoes an inflationary expansion that brings it to a size on a timescale of a few Planck times . When , the universe decelerates and enters in the radiation era. For , and , where \rho_{\Lambda}=7.02 10^{-24} g}/m^3 is the cosmological density, this equation of state describes the transition from a decelerating universe dominated by baryonic and dark matter to an accelerating universe dominated by dark energy (second inflation). The transition takes place at a size corresponding to a time of the order of the cosmological time . This polytropic model reveals a nice "symmetry" between the early and late evolution of the universe, the cosmological constant in the late universe playing a role similar to the Planck constant in the early universe. We interpret the cosmological constant as a fundamental constant of nature describing the "cosmophysics" just like the Planck constant describes the microphysics. The Planck density and the cosmological density represent fundamental upper and lower bounds differing by orders of magnitude. The cosmological constant "problem" may be a false problem.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1208.1192,
title = {A simple model of universe with a polytropic equation of state},
author = {Pierre-Henri Chavanis},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1208.1192},
year = {2012}
}
Comments
arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1208.0797,arXiv:1208.0801