Constraining Curvature Parameters via Topology
Abstract
If the assumption that physical space has a trivial topology is dropped, then the Universe may be described by a multiply connected Friedmann-Lema\^{\i}tre model on a sub-horizon scale. Specific candidates for the multiply connected space manifold have already been suggested. How precisely would a significant detection of multiple topological images of a single object, or a region on the cosmic microwave background, (due to photons arriving at the observer by multiple paths which have crossed the Universe in different directions), constrain the values of the curvature parameters and ? The way that the constraints on and depend on the redshifts of multiple topological images and on their radial and tangential separations is presented and calculated. The tangential separations give the tighter constraints: multiple topological images of known types of astrophysical objects at redshifts would imply values of and preciser than and respectively. Cosmic microwave background `spots' identified with lower redshift objects by the Planck or MAP satellites would provide similar precision. This method is purely geometrical: no dynamical assumptions (such as the virial theorem) are required and the constraints are independent of the Hubble constant,
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9903453,
title = {Constraining Curvature Parameters via Topology},
author = {Boudewijn F. Roukema and Jean-Pierre Luminet},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9903453},
year = {2011}
}
Comments
10 pages, 4 figures, accepted for Astronomy & Astrophysics; revised version - quantum epoch topology evolution reference added